The Community YMCA’s Aquarockets swim team earned top spots at the 2011 YMCA National Long Course Swimming Championships, held in Atlanta, Ga., over the summer. The boys’ team ranked ninth overall, and 13 local swimmers earned All American status (placing in the top 20 of an event).
“Our swimmers continue to excel at Y Nationals, and we are very proud of all their efforts,” coach Jack Caucino, president of the National YMCA Coaches Advisory Committee, said in a press release from the Community YMCA. “Our team scored 19th overall out of 230 national teams.”
Twenty-three swimmers from 16 local schools qualified this spring to compete at YMCA Nationals: Harrison Cefalo, Joe Connors, Eddie Healy, Sean Dunne, Matt Zebrowski and Daniel Hellman, Christian Brothers Academy; Samuel Lynch, Ocean Township High School; Megan Foran, Middletown South High School; Courtney Delehanty, Shore Regional; Joe Torres, Marlboro High School; Maureen McKenna, Sayreville High School; Dave Carlson, Manasquan High School; Shannon Slate and Sarah Finn, Red Bank Catholic; Andrew Weber and Katie McKay, Holmdel High School; Alex D’Anna, Colts Neck High School; Alex Lin, The Ranney School; Chris Vadala, Middletown North High School; Alexis Walsh, Raritan High School; Chris Tucker, St. Mary’s Elementary School; Jackie Van Lew, Tinton Falls Middle School; and Tyler Kauth, Old Bridge Middle School.
Earning medals for the Community YMCA were:
Harrison Cefalo, first in 100 breaststroke, sixth in the 50 breaststroke, and 11th in the 50 butterfly;
Joe Connors, second in the 50 butterfly; Sam Lynch, fourth in the 50 backstroke; Dave Carlson, seventh in the 200 backstroke; Joe Torres, 14th in the 50 freestyle; and
Katie McKay, 17th in the 50 butterfly;
Team Relays:
Third place, men’s 200 medley relay, Sam Lynch, Harrison Cefalo, Joe Connors, and Joe Torres;
Third place, men’s 400 medley relay, Sam Lynch, Harrison Cefalo, Joe Connors and Joe Torres;
10th place, men’s 200 freestyle relay, Dan Hellman, Sam Lynch, Joe Torres and Andrew Weber;
14th place, men’s 400 freestyle relay, Sean Dunne, Dan Hellman, Sam Lynch andJoe Torres; and
17th place, men’s 800 freestyle relay, Dave Carlson, Eddie Healy, Dan Hellman and Joe Torres.
The Red Bank Aquarockets is a competitive swim team that competes in the National YMCA Swimming and Diving and the U.S. Swimming organizations. A program of the Community YMCA, the team consists of approximately
200 swimmers ranging in age from 6 to 18 and is coached by full-time and part-time professional coaches, who are supported by the Red Bank Swim Team Parents Association.
More information on the Red Bank YMCA swim team can be found at www.aquarockets.com or www.TheCommunityYMCA. org.