The Clinton Community YMCA Otters swim team completed their season the weekend of March 18-20 at the Illinois YMCA State Championships in St. John, Indiana, at Lake Central High School Aquatic Center.  The team started practice in September and the swimmers have dedicated many hours over the season to practicing and competing with the hope of qualifying for the State Championships.  The Otters were proud to be represented by 27 members of the team who competed in swims for the 8 and under girls, 8 and under boys, 10 and under boys, 12 and under boys, 14 and under girls, 14 and under boys, 21 and under girls, and the 21 and under boys. 

A highlight for this competition was Blaise Willoughby (Right) placing 4th in the 21 and under boys 50 yard free style with a time of 22.03 which gives him the opportunity to compete in the YMCA National Championships to be held the week of April 4 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The 8 and under girls were represented by Kate Goebel (8), Aliyah Ellison (8), Cassidee Stoffel (7), and Mylin Bruhn (7) in the 100 yard medley relay, finishing in 9th place with a time of 1:23.43.  The 100 yard free relay included Cassidee Stoffel, Mady Melton (7), Mylin Bruhn, and Aliyah Ellison, which finished 8th with a time of 1:12.89. Aliyah Ellison also competed in the individual events of the 100 IM (9th place, 1:30.39), 50 free style (14th place, 36.82), 25 butterfly (19th place, 18.82), and 25 breaststroke (7th place, 21.11). The 25 backstroke was competed in by Kate Goebel and Cassidee Stoffel who came in 37th and 34th, respectively, with times of 22.09 and 21.38. Cassidee Stoffel also competed in the 100 IM (25th place, 1:39.35), 25 free style (34th place, 17.83), and 25 butterfly (16th place, 18.66).

Caleb Zirkelbach (7) competed in the boys 8 and under 25 yard breaststroke. He achieved a time of 24.33 and came in 29th place.

The 10 and under boys were represented by Drew Moser (10) in four individual events. Drew competed in the 50 backstroke (10th place, 36.58), 50 free style (7th place, 30.21), 100 free style (13th place, 1:07.98), and 50 butterfly (13th place, 36.14).

The 12 and under boys were represented by Drew Moser, Dalton Glynn (11), Kaine Trimble (11), and Justyn West (12) in the 200 medley relay, finishing 16th with a final time of 2:22.53.  Dalton Glynn also competed in both the 100 breast stroke and 50 breaststroke earning 21st and 26th places, respectively, with times of 1:20.61 and 38.27.

Ella Korneman (13), Madison Stoffel (13), Madison Becker (13), and Payne Turney (13) represented the Otters in the 14 and under girls 200 medley relay, finishing in 19th place with a time of 2:15.05. The 200 free relay included Madison Stoffel, Annie Clifton (13), Payne Turney, and Madison Becker, which received 14th place with a time of 1:56.16. Madison Becker and Madison Stoffel also competed in the 50 freestyle, earning 26th and 31st places, respectively, with times of 27.24 and 27.36.

The 14 and under boys 200 medley relay included Nathan Zenger (11), Jack Shaw (14), Andrew Ellison (13), and Joshua Johnson (14). The received 17th place with a time of 2:20.92. Andrew Ellison, Dalton Glynn, Jack Shaw, and Joshua Johnson competed in the 200 free relay, earning 16th place with a time of 1:57.84.

The 21 and under girls competed in four relays.  Alivia Hay (17), Madison Becker, Madison Stoffel, and Dana Herman (16) competed in the 400 free relay where they finished 11th with a time of 4:00.82.  The 200 free relay was represented by Alivia Hay, Dana Herman, Victoria Wayne (17), and Hannah Hickman (17), where they finished 11th with a time of 1:47.92. A 14th place was earned in the 400 medley relay by Dana Herman, Hannah Hickman, Madison Becker, and Madison Stoffel with a time of 4:37.24. The 200 medley relay consisted of Alivia Hay, Hanna Hickman, Dana Herman, and Victoria Wayne and received 12th place with a time of 2:02.03. Alivia Hay and Dana Herman both competed in the 100 backstroke, receiving 9th and 27th places, respectively, with times of 1:01.68 (finals) and 1:06.04. Alivia also swam in the 100 free style (7th place in the finals, 54.97) and 500 free style (25th place, 5:39.39).

The 21 and under boys competed in 3 relay events and were represented by Blaise Willoughby (17), Isaac Fabris (16), JT Harrold (16), and Collin Underwood (17). In the 200 free relay and the 400 free relay, they finished 15th with a time of 1:38.63 and 16th with a time of 3:46.61 (respectively). They received 14th place with a time of 1:55.82 in the 200 medley relay. Blaise Willoughby also competed in the 100 free style, finishing 22nd with a time of 50.60, and the 100 butterfly, finishing 24th with a time of 57.95. In the 50 free style, Blaise went a 22.03 (finals) which earned him 4th place and a spot at the YMCA National Championships.

Congratulations to the Clinton Community YMCA Otters Swim Team and to all of the swimmers and coaches who put so much effort and time into making this such a successful season!

Head Coach: Daniel Bugner

Coaching Staff: Christy Hickman, Matt King, and Hannah Hickman