1 ) Norwich Dolphins’ Aiden Diefenbacher competes in the boys’ age 11-12 50 yard backstroke, where he finished in third place. (Photo by Coach Eric Diefenbacher) 2) Norwich Dolphins’ Alice Boland competes in the girls’ age 11-12 breaststroke, where she earned first place. (Photo by Coach Eric Diefenbacher)

NORWICH – On Saturday, December 2, the Norwich Family YMCA Dolphins swim team hosted the Cortland YMCA Stingers at the Norwich High School pool. This was the first home meet for the Dolphins in four years. The Dolphins are grateful to the high school for letting them use their facility as well as to the parents and volunteers for their support.

Overall, the Dolphins’ team posted 28 best times, 53 seconds of collective time drops, and two more people made qualifying times for the State Championship meet. The Dolphins now have a total of nine swimmers set to compete at States with more meets upcoming.

Some notable swims for the Dolphins include Alex Shtrauch achieving first place in the age 11-12 girls’ 200 individual medley as well as in the 50 yard freestyle and 50 yard backstroke events. Nora Diefenbacher, Kennedy Foulds, and Reigan Aikins swept the top three spots in the girls’ eight and under 25 yard freestyle while Alex Shtrauch, Alice Boland, and Briella Shalna took the top three placements in the 50 yard freestyle for 11-12 year old girls. Alice Boland also swam in the 50 yard breaststroke, where she earned first place.

For the boys, Nate Shtrauch finished first in the boys’ 15 and over 100 yard freestyle and in the 50 yard freestyle as teammates Wade Scrivener and Lawton VanCleef took the first two spots in the 25 yard freestyle for boys’ age eight and under. Aiden Diefenbacher earned second place in the boys’ 11-12 50 yard freestyle and third in the boys’ 50 yard backstroke.

Great job to all swimmers!

-Information from the Norwich YMCA Dolphins