1) The Norwich YMCA Dolphins’ junior team: Lawton VanCleef, Nora Diefenbacher, Maggie Williams, Kennedy Foulds. (Bottom row left to right)- Kate Hull, Reigan Aikins. (Photo from Coach Diefenbacher), 2) Nate Shtrauch swims the 100 yd Butterfly for the boys 15-19 division. (Photo from Coach Diefenbacher)

NASSAU COUNTY – The Norwich YMCA Dolphins swim team closed out their season at the New York State YMCA Swimming Championships this past weekend at the Nassau County Aquatics Center in Long Island, NY. The eight member squad posted some amazing performances. Overall, there were 21 best times with approximately 52 seconds worth of time drops.

Collectively, the team placed 16th out of 22 teams with the junior girls (10&under) placing fifth out of 22 teams amongst the junior division overall. Additionally, our girls 9 -10 200 yd Freestyle relay, the first relay for the team in over four years, finished eighth. Lastly, the team produced a State Champion with Nora Diefenbacher placing first in the girls eight & under 25yd backstroke with a time of 18.43, which also shatters a 32 year old record. Diefenbacher also took second in both the girls 25 freestyle and in the 100 freestyle.

Other strong performances include Reigan Atkins in the girls 50 free eight and under with a third place finish with a time of 37.77 seconds, dropping at least 3.5 seconds. Kennedy Foulds finished sixth in the same event (38.05) and also earned sixth in the 100 freestyle. Atkins took fifth in the 25 backstroke with a new best time of 20.97 seconds.

Maggie Williams swam to a ninth place finish in the girls 50 freestyle while finishing 10th in the girls 100 freestyle 9-10 with a personal best time of 1:11.53. A team of Kennedy Foulds, Kate Hull, Nora Diefenbacher, and Maggie Williams swam in the 200 freestyle relay, where they finished eighth with a time of 2:18.79.

Alex Shtrauch also competed for the girls in the 11-12 division, where she finished 22nd in the girls 50 breaststroke with a new best time of 42.47 seconds.

For the boys, Lawton VanCleef finished 17th in the boys 25 backstroke eight and under with a new best time of 23.67 seconds. VanCleef and Nate Shtrauch were the only competitors for the boys. Shtrauch set new personal bests in all events he swam in, including his top 18th place swim in the 200 individual medley for boys ages 15-19. Shtrauch swam a new best of 2:23.54.

The team had a lot of fun at this meet. There were plenty of best times, lots of learning experiences, growth, laughs, teamwork, and joy throughout the meet. The coaches and parents are very proud of their accomplishments.

-Information from the Norwich YMCA Dolphins and additional results added by Morgan Golliver