YMCA swimmers succeed at state meet

HARDYSTON — A group of 11 swimmers from the Sussex County YMCA Swordfish Swim Team travelled to the Ocean County YMCA in Toms River recently to compete in the 12-and-younger New Jersey YMCA state swimming championships.

Leading the charge for Sussex County was Abbey Gardner who, competing in the 9-10 age group, won five events including the 100- and 200-yard freestyle, the 100- and 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly over the course of the three-day competition. Gardner also finished seventh in the 50-yard butterfly.

Jake Riva led the way for the boys from Sussex County YMCA.

Competing in the 11-12 boys age group, Riva placed in the top eight in 5 events including 50-yard backstroke (fifth), 100-yard backstroke (fourth), 200-yard backstroke (sixth), 50 free (fifth), 100 free (sixth) and he finished 10th in the 200-yard freestyle.

Also placing in the top 16 were Nicole Donnelly in the 11-12 girls 100-yard freestyle and 200-yard freestyle and Brooke Gardner in the 11-12 200-yard backstroke.

Joining the place winners at this prestigious meet were Abby Panzarella and Henry Bysshe in the 9-10 age group and Alyssa Amorim, Catie Lovett, Michael Pacholarz, Will Engelhardt and Carlen Rivielle in the 11-12 age group.