YMCA swimmers finish in top 10 at Junior Olympics

The YMCA of Western Monmouth County swim team left its mark at the New Jersey Junior Olympics at Rutgers University.

Four swimmers - Stephanie Ross, Joanna Han, Ryan O'Neill and Ryan Kauth - finished in the top 10 overall in their respective age groups and made the New Jersey all-star team.

Ross led the way for the Eagle Rays in the girls 11-12 division, finishing in second place overall at the end of the three-day competition. Ross finished no lower than fifth in the nine events she competed in, which included a first place in the 100 individual medley (1:03.83). She was second in the 50 (32.92) and 100 breaststroke (1:10.56, a club record), third in the 200 IM (2:18.53) and 100 freestyle (57.24), fourth in the 200 breast (2:36.46), 200 free (2:04.51) and 50 free (26.72), and fifth place in the 100 butterfly (1:05.44) to take second place in overall points at the competition.

Han finished fifth overall in the 9-10 girls division, taking second place in the 200 IM (2:34.91) and 100 breast (1:19.22), fourth in the 100 IM (1:13.69), sixth place in the 50 breast (37.93), 100 fly (1:15.26), 50 fly (32.86) and 100 backstroke (1:14.79), and eighth in the 50 back (35.52) and 50 free (29.82).

O'Neill was sixth overall in the 9-10 boys division with top-six finishes in seven events - second place 50 back (32.30), 50 free (27.36, a club record), 100 backstroke (1:11.49), and 100 free (1:00.65); fourth place 50 fly (32.19); fifth place 100 IM (1:11.77); and sixth place 100 fly (1:14.99).

Kauth had a 10th-place showing overall in the boys 13-14 division, highlighted by a second-place finish in the 200 free (1:49.47, club record). He was fifth in the 50 free (23.58) and 100 free (50.73), sixth in the 500 free (5:02.64), and 10th in the 100 fly (57.88).

As a result of their strong showings at Junior Olympics, all four swimmers were chosen to represent New Jersey Swimming at the Eastern Zone All-Star Competition in Buffalo, N.Y. Teams representing the northeast states from Maine to Virginia will be at this competition. Ross will be swimming four individual events (200 IM, 100 IM, 50 breast, 100 breast) as will O'Neill (50 free, 50 back, 100 free, 100 back). Han will compete in the 200 IM and the 100 breast. Kauth will not compete, choosing instead to attend the YMCA National Competition in Florida the same week.

Other notable swimmers in the state Junior Olympic meet were: 9-10 girls, Risa Goldberg, 13th place 100 breast (1:28.97) and 14th place 50 breast (40.77); and Courtney Foley, 13th place 50 fly (34.51)); 9-10 boys, Justin Wone, seventh place 100 breast (1:25.75) and 16th place 50 breast (40.66); 11-12 girls, Dana Ng, 12th place 50 breast (35.09), and Maura Wright, 11th place 100 back (1:08.42) and 16th place 50 back (31.92); 11-12 boys, Michael Skibniewski, seventh place 50 fly (29.46) and 15th place 200 fly (2:34.25); 13-14 girls, Emily O'Neill, fourth place 100 back (1:01.59, club record) and 13th place 200 back (2:16.48), Amelia Buckley, 10th place 200 breast (2:33.64) and 10th place 100 breast (1.11.08), and Eva Wimberly, seventh place 200 breast (2:33.34) and eighth place 100 breast (1:11.28)).

Anyone interested in the YWMC competitive swim program should contact coach Paul Florio at (732) 462-0464 or visit the team Web site http://ywmcswimteam.org.