Thirteen members of the YMCA of the Blue Water Area’s Otters Swim Team earned 17 medals at the Michigan YMCA  8 and Under 2013 State Championship. With over 22 teams participating, the Otters’ outstanding showing, including 12 first place finishes, earned 3rd place for the team at the February 16th competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  “This was by far the most successful state meet in Otters history.” said Kyle Doty, Blue Water Otters Swim Coach. “I am privileged to coach such a talented group of swimmers and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these kids.” Coach Kyle, in his second year as head coach of the Otters, is thrilled with the talent and dedication of the 6 to 8 year old swimmers who participated in the event. “We took a team of 13 kids, and their talent surfaced well under tough competition from other Ys with much larger teams.”

Highlights from the 8 and Under State Championships:

Patrick Barna, 7 years old (Kimball), broke the state meet record for the 100 medley, a mark set before he was born. Patrick earned top honors in each of his individual competitions: 100 medley, 25 butterfly and 25 breastroke and was on the 1st place 100 medley and 100 freestyle relay teams.

Gavin Collins, 8 years old (China), achieved back to back undefeated seasons at the state meet taking 1st in all three of his individual events: 25 freestyle, 25 butterfly and 25 backstroke. He was a member of the 1st place 100 medley and100 freestyle relay teams.

Ryan Granger, 8 years old (North Street) competed in the 100 medley, 25 breastroke and 25 backstroke events.

Gabrielle Jones, 7 years old (Sarnia, Ontario) took a top 10 finish in the 25 breastroke and competed in the 25 freestyle and 25 backstroke.

Christopher Leuciuc, 6 years old (Kimball), took 1st place and broke the 2007 state meet record for the 25 breastroke. He earned the top honors in the 25 freestyle and 25 butterfly and was a member of the 1st place freestyle relay team.

Ryan Mayer, 9 years old (Fort Gratiot), was a member of the 1st place 100 medley and 100 freestyle relay teams and finished 4th in the 25 freestyle. Ryan also competed in the 25 butterfly and 50 freestyle.

Avery McElroy, 8 years old (Port Huron), was runner up in her first state meet swimming to a 2nd place finish in the 25 freestyle. She also earned a 3rd place finish in the 100 medley and the 25 butterfly. Avery was a member of the 6th place 100 medley and 7th place 100 freestyle relay teams.

Chloe McKenzie, 9 years old (Marine City), earned a 3rd placed finish in both the 25 butterfly and 25 backstroke. She took 5th place in the 25 freestyle and was a member of the 6th place 100 medley and 7th place 100 freestyle relay teams.

Rachel McKenzie, 8 years old (Marine City), was a relay team member on the 6th place 100 medley and 7th place 100 freestyle relay teams. She competed in the 25 butterfly and 25 freestyle.

Sophia Moore, 8 years old (Fort Gratiot), swimming in her first state meet, took top honors in the 25 freestyle, finished 4th in the 25 butterfly and was a member of the 6th place 100 medley and 7th place 100 freestyle relay teams.

Sawyer Schnackenberg, 7 years old (Port Huron), had a top 10 finish in the 25 breastroke and competed in the 25 freestyle and 25 backstroke.  

Peter Senkmajer, 9 years old (Fort Gratiot) was on the 1st place 100 medley relay team, earned top 10 honors in the 50 freestyle. He swam to a 4th place in the 25 backstroke and competed in the 25 freestyle.

The goal The goal of the Blue Water Otters is to teach competitive swimming techniques and Y core values, to develop self-esteem, and to meet new friends and have fun. The swim team is open to those ages 6 to 18 that can pass the Otter swim test. Swimmers participate in swim various meets throughout the season against teams from other YMCAs.  Learn more about membership and programs at your YMCA of the Blue Water Area by calling the Y at (810)987-6400 and visiting us on line at www.bluewateymca.com