ORONO — The Long Reach Swim Club of the Bath Area Family YMCA continued its success last weekend by capturing the Maine Swimming’s Winter Combined Championships, held at the University of Maine.

Long Reach finished with 5,236 points, followed by Coastal Maine Aquatics (4,347), Portland Porpoise Swim Club (2,457), Mt. Desert Island (2,400), Westbrook Seals (2,211.50), Bangor YMCA Barracudas (2,004.50), Kennebec Valley (1,397.50), Down East Family (1,355.50), Hurricane Swim Club (1,201), Casco Bay Regional of Freeport (1,031.50), Wiscasset Unsinkables (941), Sanford Titans (887.50), Mid-Maine Dolphins (843), Penobscot Bay (707), Canoe City (690), Twin Cities (661), Seacoast Swim Club (534.50), Piscataquis Regional (508), Waldo County (436), Northern York County (399.50), Pine Tree Swim Club (57), Boothbay Region (18), Maine Masters Swim Club (15).

In female competition, Long Reach was first overall with 2,662 points and Coastal Maine second (2.185), while Casco Bay was eighth (868.50) and Wiscasset 16th (354).

For the males, Long Reach beat out Coastal Maine 2,574-2,164 with Wiscasset ninth (587) and Casco Bay 16th (163).

Individual high-point winners are only awarded through eight places and the Mid-coast region boasted of numerous top-20 overall finishers.

In 10-and-under girls, Sidney Hamilton of Down East took first with 150 points, while Alex Morse of Casco Bay was seventh (101) and teammate Meg Perrotta ninth (77.50). Wiscasset’s Cara Viela placed 14th (46), Olivia Harper of Wiscasset 17th ( 36) and Margie McLeod of Casco 18th (34).

In 10-and-under boys, Liam Sullivan of MDI was first (180) with Long Reach’s Dominic Marco second (154). JoJo Martin of Wiscasset was eighth (81), Matthew Yost of Long Reach 10th (69), Zak Bhe of Wiscasset 12th ( 69), Daniel Chizmar of LRSC 13th (60) and Nicco Bartone of LRSC 14th (58).

Caitlin Tycz of Long Reach captured the girls 11-12 title with 180 points, while Eliza Lunt of Casco Bay was third (141), Ann Tolan of LRSC seventh (110), and Mackie Libsack of Casco Bay eighth (107).

Harry Homans of Coastal Maine won the boys 11-12 division with 178.50 points, while Ben Milliken of Wiscasset was third (140), Noah Jordan of Wiscasset 11th (93), Jake Stafford of Wiscasset 19th (57) and Brian Hess of Long Reach 20th (55).

Leila Johnston of Mt. Desert won the girls 13-14 with 182 points, with Lynsie Russell of LRSC second (164) and teammate Sonia Lin third (159). Also, Emilie Burrill of LRSC was 12th with 79 points and teammate Emma Blair 18th (75).

Nate Samson of LRSC won four events and finished with 166 points to win the boys 13-14 age group, while teammate Spencer Lindsley was 14th (87).

Sarah Easterling of the Westbrook Seals captured the 15-and-over women with 163 points to edge Jessica Russell of LRSC by one point. Abby Belisle Haley of Casco Bay tied for 14th with Hope Logan of LRSC with 76 points, with Celia Ouellette of LRSC 17th ( 72) and Tessa Lindsley of LRSC 20th (65).

Arthur Conover of Mid-Maine took the 15-and-over Senior Division with 174 points, while Joey Blair of LRSC was 11th (85), Travis Libsack of Casco 17th ( 64.50) and Nate Leonard and Albin Werwaiss of LRSC tied for 20th with 51 points.

Picking up first places for LRSC girls were Lynsie Russell in 13-14 girls (1,650 free, 500 free, 1,000 free), Lin in 13-14 (100 breaststroke, 200 breast) Jessica Russell in Senior (1,650 free, 1,000 free, 200 free), Celia Ouellette in Senior (50 free, 100 free), Tycz in 11-12 (200 back, 100 free, 50 butterfly, 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly, 50 back, 200 free, 100 back, 50 free), the 13-14 400 free relay (Lin, Bronwyn Morissette, Blair, Lynsie Russell), 11- 12 400 free relay ( Tolan, Sophie Blair, Ana Knight, Tycz), 13- 14 medley relay (Lin, Burrill, Lynsie Russell, Emma Blair), 11-12 200 free relay (Emily Cowan, Sophia Kruse, Tolan, Tycz), 13-14 200 medley relay (Lin, Burrill, Lynsie Russell, Emma Blair), 13-14 200 free relay (Lynsie Russell, Burrill, Emma Blair, Lin), Senior 200 free relay ( Lindsley, Logan, Jessica Russell, Ouellette) and the 11- 12 200 medley relay (Kruse, Tolan, Tycz, Gabrielle Cholish).

Boys earning first places included Joey Blair in Senior (100 butterfly), Nate Samson in 13-14 (50 free, 100 free, 100 back, 200 back), Dominic Marco in 10-and-under (100 butterfly), Senior 400 medley relay (Jake Olsen, Eric Wiese, Blair, Nate Leonard) and the 13-14 200 free relay (Samson, Lindsley, Brad Tibbetts, Tucker Banger).

Tycz spectacular

Among LRSC team records, Tycz in 11-12 girls 200 free (2:00.94) and her 25.94 in the 50 butterfly set a team and state record. “Her time ranks her second in the U.S. right now and 16th all-time!” said head coach Jay Morissette.

Tycz also set a team record in the 100 butterfly (58.38), team and state record in the 50 back (28.52), and team in the 200 back (2:14.55).

In 13-14 girls, Lynsie Russell set team records in the 1,000 free (11:05.53) and 1,650 free (18:34.60), while Lin set a team mark in the 50 backstroke (27.9).

The 400 medley relay of Lin, Emilie Burrill, Russell and Emma Blair established a team and state record (4:10.84).

Nate Samson earned a team record in 13- 14 boys 200 back ( 2: 00.10), while Jessica Russell earned records in Senior girls 1,000 free ( 10: 32.31) and 1,650 free (17:59.67).

Amazing result

“An amazing result at last weekend’s meet,” lauded Morissette. “It was LRSC’s fourth winter championship in a row. Most kids swam lifetime bests and most swam with a lot of heart and guts.

“It is an insanely grueling meet for swimmers, coaches and parents. I cannot say enough about the LRSC parents and parent group. Many of them spent a lot of time and resources to ensure that swimmers were at Orono for their events, whether it was one or nine events and there were a number of relay only swimmers. The relays make all the difference at this meet and we had a ton of them.

“We had a number of swimmers finish top-eight for individual highpoint awards. The balance of our team was what really impressed me. Our girls team score was 2,662 and the boys 2,574. Our Senior boys really stepped it up. Going into the meet most were not ranked in the topeight and many of them ended up there. Our 400 medley relay was a real highlight of the meet by upsetting two other heavily favored teams. That really set the tone for LRSC as well as for CMA who never really recovered from that.

“Caitlin Tycz had an amazing meet. Her 50 butterfly time ranks her currently second in the U.S. and 16th all-time for the event. She just missed many state records posting best times with every swim. She also made nationals cut times in the 200 fly/100 fly and 50 free. Most exciting about her swims is that she was not rested, shaved down or tapered for the meet.”

On to nationals!

“Our nationals team is now set,” added Morissette. “Along with Caitlin Tycz, Tessa Lindsley made her 50 freestyle cut time. Sonia Lin made nationals cut times in the 50 free and 100 backstroke and 100/200 breaststrokes. Jessica Russell has national cut-off times in the 100/200/500 free, 100/200 back, 100/200 fly. Celia Ouellette has cut-off times in the 50 and 100 free. LRSC has qualified for the 200/400 medley relays and the 200/400 free relays.

“For the boys we have Joey Blair making individual cut times in the 100 back and 50 free, to go along with his 100 fly. Nate Samson qualified in the 100 back. We also have as part of our relay contingent of Will Hadden, Jake Olsen, Nate Leonard and Eric Wiese. The boys relays are the 200/400 medley, as well as the 200 free relay.

“Our team banquet is this Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the gym and tonight is a national’s team fundraiser dinner at the Topsham Fair Exhibition Hall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the public is invited!”

The YMCA New England Championships are scheduled to get under way today at Harvard.

This year’s schedule: March 23 (15- 17-year-olds, warm-ups 6:15 p.m.), March (11-12s, warm-up 6:15 p.m.), March 25 ( 13- 14s, warm- ups 6: 15 p.m.), March 31 (9-10s, warm-ups 6:15 p. m.) and April 1 ( 8- and- unders, warm-ups 6:30 p.m.).

Casco Bay shines

Casco Bay also shined individually.

“I feel with the small number of swimmers we brought we did some incredible things,” said head coach Dan St. Pierre. “ On paper, we brought 18 swimmers to the meet. We brought one swimmer (Allie Perotta who just turned 9 in February ) to be a fourth for a relay which was the first event of the meet for that age group, so the three other 9-10 girls could shake off the nervousness with a relay. This proved to be pivotal for the weekend. So, really we had 17 swimmers there for individual events.

“With five 9-10 girls (including Allie), the 9-10 girls placed fourth out of 16 teams that had 9-10 girls. Of those five, three (Meg Perrotta, Alex Morse and Margie McLeod) qualified to represent Maine in the USA Swimming Eastern Zone Championship Meet. There were 45 9-10 girls who scored points over the course of the meet.

“I had two 11-12 girls at the meet, Eliza Lunt and Mackie Libsack. They also finished fourth out of 21 teams that had 11-12 girls. Both of which also qualified to represent Maine in the USA Swimming Eastern Zone Championship Meet.

“I am also proud of the fact that my Senior girls relays did so well with younger swimmers on every relay. We only had two girl swimmers over the age of 15 swim this past weekend. So all four relays had two swimmers on it ages 12 or 13. The finishing places were seventh, sixth, eighth and ninth of the four relays.

“So to finish 10th out of the 23 teams there this weekend was quiet an accomplishment for our small squad of 18 swimmers. On tap is YMCA New Englands, Zones and Y Nationals where we are looking for continued success and growth!”

Picking up first places for Casco Bay were Lunt in 11-12 girls 100 individual medley (1:09.48) and McLeod in 10-and-under girls 50 back (36.12).

Breaking female team records were Lunt in 50 back ( 32.48), 100 breast (1:15.22), 200 breast (2:41.72) and 200 IM (2;36.75), Libsack in the 11-12 200 back (2:31.59), Belisle Haley in the Senior 50 free (25.03), 200 free (1:57.64) and Haley Estabrook in the Senior 1,000 free (12:09.23) and 1,650 free (20:07.10).

Record-breaking boys included Travis Libsack in the Senior 1,650 free (17:30.65) and 400 IM (4:33.78) and Zack Roland in the Senior 200 breast (2:31.33).

Relay records for the girls included the 10- and- under 400 free (McLeod, Morse, Perotta, Hannah Fishman, 5:17.28), 10-and-under 200 medley relay ( same foursome, 2: 26.71), Senior 400 free ( Belisle Haley, Libsack, Eleanor O’Gorman, Estabrook, 3:55.43), Senior 200 medley (Libsack, Lunt, Belisle Haley, Estabrook, 2:00.19), Senior 400 medley (Estabrook, Lunt, Belisle Hale, O’Gorman, 4:25.71),

Boys relays setting record were the Senior 400 free (Libsack, Luca Seid, John O’Gorman, Roland, 3:35.94) and the 400 medley (same foursome, 4:06.65).

sports@timesrecord.com

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