Marion Family YMCA Dolphins League Champions
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Two swimmers from the Marion Family YMCA Dolphins Swim Team just returned from competing in the 2014 YMCA Short Course National Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina. Rachel Shipp, senior at North Union High School and daughter of Margo Shipp, competed in the 100 and 200 Fly. Madison Linstedt, 7th Grader at Elgin Local Schools and daughter of Serenity and Larry Linstedt completed in the 100 Back, 200 Individual Medley (IM) and 400 IM.
There were over 1,500 athletes from YMCAs throughout the country at the event. In order to qualify for the championship, swimmers must complete in at least six YMCA meets and swim each event at qualifying times.
Unlike during the regular YMCA season, there are no age divisions at the National Championship. Swimmers as young as age 12 must swim the same qualifying times as the older athletes (up to age 21) and complete against them at the championship.
“Overall our two athletes did well. This was their first experience swimming in such a large venue against some of the nation’s best swimmers,” said Marion Family YMCA Aquatics Director and Head Coach Debbie Sheehan.
Shipp placed 160 in the 100 Fly with a time of 1:01.42, and 117 in the 200 Fly with a time of 2:15.45. Shipp also placed 22 in the 400 IM Time Trial with a time of 4:48.23.
Linstedt placed 97 in the 400 IM with a time of 4:41.47, 146 in the 200 IM with a time of 2:14.89, and 166 in the 100 Back with a time of 1:01.30. Linstedt also placed 7 in the 50 Fly Time Trial with a time of 27.60 and 6 in the 50 Breaststroke Time Trial with a time of 35.26.
Shipp and Linstedt were two of 35 youth athletes participating on the Marion Family YMCA’s swim team this past season.
“I’m proud of all our athletes,” stated YMCA Executive Director, Theresa Lubke. “Swim team is about much more than swimming fast. Our athletes learn self-discipline, the value of working hard and how to support their team mates. These are valuable life lessons.”
Overall, this was a rewarding season for the entire team. The Dolphins took first place in Division I (small teams) at the North West Ohio YMCA Swim League Championship meet in March. Eight swimmers: Shipp, Linstedt, Ashton Cole, Gigi Gooding, Grant Gooding, Jackson Gooding, Jess McCombs & Erin Zmuda competed in the YMCA Great Lakes Zone Championship. Swimmers qualified for Zones based on meeting qualifying times within their age group. Despite having a relatively small team at Zones, the Marion YMCA Dolphins placed 24 out of 83 teams overall, 58 out of 70 Men’s teams and 16 out of 66 Women’s teams.
The YMCA’s summer swim team starts May 12, 2014. The Dolphin’s compete in USA Swimming meets during the summer season. All levels of swimmers are welcome. The only requirements to join the team are swimmers must be between the ages of 5 and 21; able to swim at least one length of the 25 yard pool on their front and one length on their back; and be members of the Marion Family YMCA.
For information on joining the YMCA swim team, please call Aquatics Director Debbie Sheehan at 740-725-9622 or visit the team’s website www.marionymca.org/swimteam.
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