Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA Swimmers Shine at Silvers

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA swim team had a strong performance at the three-day YMCA Silver State Championships, held Feb. 19 – 21. 

In the youngest age group, 9 -10's, Natalie Jablonski swam her way in a crowded field to three top 10 finishes and qualified for two YMCA "Gold" State championship times (50 Yard backstroke and 100 Yard Individual Medley). Maya Dunchus swam for 6^th- and 9^th–place finishes in the 200 IM and 100 backstroke, while younger sister Anna placed 11^th in both the 50 and 100 yard butterfly. Nine year-old Kyle Foster had an excellent meet, making State times in 50, 100, and 200 yard freestyle and garnering four top-ten finishes, while teammate Kyle Greco finished 7^th  to qualify for States in the 50 yard butterfly. 

The 11-12 age group had some excellent performances as well. Maggie O'Connell had four top 10 finishes including 5^th in the 100 butterfly, while also qualifying for States in 50 and 100 yard freestyle and 50 yard butterfly. In the 50 yard backstroke, Kate Musso seized a State Gold time, while teammate Amanda Banasiak had two top-ten finishes and Gold times in 50 yard fly and 100 yard IM.  Nolan Kearns and Eric Chang finished 2^nd and 4^th with Gold times in the 50 yard butterfly, while Kearns also secured Gold in the 100 yard fly. 

One of the meet's best overall performers was 13-year-old Matt Giardiello. Matt powered his way to three first-place finishes and two second-place finishes, seizing a total of six State qualifying times. Sam Bebout and Katelin Barone, also in the 13-14 age group, swam for Gold times in the 200-yard butterfly and 100 yard freestyle, respectively. 

The 15-18 year olds had exceptional showings by Loren Ball, finishing first in 100 yard Freestyle and fifth in 200 yard freestyle, by Jessica Cronin and Kyle Higgins (2^nd and 5^th place in 1000 freestyle) and by Keith Monteiro (8^th in 100 yard Fly).  

Topping off the championship weekend was a nail biter in the boys 15-18 200 yard Medley relay, as the FSPY team of Keith Monteiro, Daniel Pesin, Joe Cornelius, and Bilal Rice narrowly held off Somerset Valley and a competitive field to win the event and tie the meet record.