12&Under Madison Mariners Compete at NJ YMCA State Championships

Numerous Madison Mariner swimmers qualified and competed at the NJ YMCA 12&Under State Championships held February 22nd – 24th. The state-wide Championship Meet, held annually at Ocean County YMCA in Tom’s River, included 27 teams and over 400 competitors.

Representing the 10 and Under Age Group, Tirian Chang (10) and Sean Clark (10) both raced to 4 Top 20 finishes. Tirian scored 26 points earning 7th in the 50 yard Fly, 8th in the 100 Fly, 15th in the 200 IM and 16th in the 100 IM. Sean scored 19 points racing to 7th in the 100 Back, 10th in the 50 Back and 19th in both the 200 IM and 100 Breast. Trevor Ledon (10), Declan Robertson (10) and Josie Speace (9) also swam well in their individual events. Tirian, Sean and Declan will be competing at the NJS Junior Olympics March 22nd weekend.

Mary Gillen (12) led the 11-12 Year Old Age Group with 21 points, dominating in the Fly events. She excelled to 8th place in the 200, 10th in the 100 and 14th in the 50 Yard Fly. Anuthra Abeysinghe (11), Ransom Chang (12) and Katelyn Hoffelder (12) all qualified in 3 events, all swimming personal bests. Molly Newman (11), Owen Smith (11) and Ryan Sprague (12) also qualified in multiple events racing to strong finishes for the Mariners. Anuthra, Ransom and Katelyn will represent the Mariners at the NJS Junior Olympics then will join Mary, Molly, Owen and Ryan at the Sun Kissed Invitational Championships in Charlotte, NC at the end of March.

The intense competition during the 200 Medley and Free relays, marquis events at any championship meet, proved much success for the Mariners! Congratulations to the 11-12 Girls 200 Free Relay for setting a new Mariners record and taking home 11th place honors – Katelyn Hoffelder, Ryan Sprague, Sadie Clarke and Mary Gillen. These girls also swam to 16th place in the 200 Medley Relay. In the 10 and Under Age Group, the Mariner boys earned 14th place in the Medley Relay (Clark, Robertston, Chang and Ethan Lu) while the 200 Free relay earned 11th place (Clark, Lu, Carter Smith and Chang). The 10 and Under girls, including Catie Kolster, Kaitlyn Troiano, Josie Speace and Samantha Soltis, raced to a 13th place finish in the 200 Free Relay.

Recognizing the needs of our members and neighbors, and the challenges and limitations of our current facility, the Madison Area YMCA has launched a community fundraising campaign to expand our Y and to continue our mission of providing financial assistance to those who need us. With your help, we will provide additional services to encourage a healthy and active community. Together, we will connect neighbors and families, strengthening the social bonds that promote understanding. Through your generosity, the YMCA mission will reach more people in our community, making sure we can say "yes" today and in the future. For more information about financial assistance or to make a donation, please call 973-822-YMCA (9622) or visit us at madisonareaymca.org.