BUCKHANNON — The Elkins Otters swim team competed in the North Central West Virginia league championship held on July 19-20.
More than 400 swimmers representing 11 different teams competed in the two-day event.
The Otters, who had 94 athletes for the summer roster, took 58 contenders to the meet.
Once again, the Otters were able to have an outstanding team performance, placing second overall in team scores.
The Bridgeport Swim Team, which brought approximately 100 swimmers to the meet, was able to come out on top for the championship.
Otters coach Lauren Cain was proud of her team for their dedication and commitment to improving.
“It was a long and hot two days, but it was fun watching the Otters family come together and cheer on each other’s successes,” she said. “Our kids did an amazing job; including numerous personal best times and multiple swimmers earning high-point honors.”
Eight-year-old Parker Halle placed second in all of his individual events (25-meter and 50 freestyle, 25 backstroke and 25 butterfly) and earned high-point runner-up honors.
In the 13-14-year-old division, Aleah Irons earned third in both the 50 butterfly and 50 freestyle, second in the 50 and 100 breaststroke, and won the 100 backstroke, placing her third in high-point honors. In the same age division, Kyan George placed second in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle; second in 100 backstroke; first in the 50 backstroke; and earned third place in the high-point race.
Fourteen-year-old Joel Casto was able to snag a third place in the 100m butterfly, second-place finishes in the 50 butterfly and 200 IM and first place in the 100 and 50 breaststroke, earning high-point runner-up laurels.
In the high school division, Isaac Anger (17) earned second place in the 50 freestyle and first place in the 200 freestyle, 50 and 100 breaststroke and 200 IM. He also broke his old record in the 50 breaststroke and earned high-point runner-up honors.
On the girls side, Lilly Irons (15) earned second place in the 200 IM and first place in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 50 and 100 butterfly, snagging high point for her division. Her teammate, Emma Ujvagi (16), won first place in the 200 and 50 breaststroke, second in the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke and third in the 100 backstroke, earning high-point runner-up laurels.
Other notable individual finishes included Alivia Yeager (7) earning second in the 50 freestyle and third in the 50 butterfly and 10-year-old Harper Brown earning second in the 25 breaststroke and winning the boys 50 backstroke. Baelynn Irons (10) earned a second in the 100 IM and third in the 50 butterfly. Twelve-year-old Ava Teter earned a second in the 50 breaststroke, while Kenadi Carte (13) earned a third in the 100 freestyle. Aubry Shay (13) placed second in the 200 IM, 100 backstroke, and 100 freestyle, and first in the 50 backstroke. Thirteen-year-old Dorsey Cutright earned third in the 50 butterfly, while incoming freshman Jackson Shepherd grabbed a third in the 50 backstroke. EHS rising sophomore Lilly Anger earned third in the 200 freestyle, second in the 50 freestyle and 50 breaststroke, plus the top badge in the 100 breaststroke. Eighteen-year-old Emily Durst earned two third-place finishes in the 50 butterfly and 100 freestyle.
The relay events also came in strong, earning extra points for the team.
Maddie Garner, Betty Mcfadden, Alexis Halle and Yeager earned third place in the girls 9-10 100 medley relay. The team of Haleigh Skidmore, Teter, Auri England and Vivienne Shepherd earned a third-place finish in the 11-12 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays.
In the girls’ 13-14 division, the team of Shay, Irons, Carte and Estrid Garver-Daniels won the 200 freestyle relay, while the team of Shay, Irons, Carte and Elin Morris won the 200 medley relay.
The boys’ team of George, Casto, Cutright and Shepherd earned second place in the 200 medley relay.
For the high school girls, the team of Ujvagi, Irons, Anger and Durst earned first place in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays, while Leah Ours, Sophia Rhodes, Ella Ours and Elin Morris earned third in the 200 freestyle relay.
Next year marks the 25th year of the summer recreation swim program in Elkins.
“I look forward to watching the growth and success of the Elkins Otters for years to come,” Cain said.
For more information, follow the Otters on Facebook or their website, elkinsotters.swimtopia.com.
Read More