The Kids Summer Swim Team traveled to Bethlehem Memorial Pool on Wednesday, July 3, for a dual meet against the Bethlehem Tides. In a meet filled with great swims, tough match-ups, and split-second finishes, the Tides edged out the Kids by a margin of only 3 points. The ending score of 284-281 illustrates what a close contest this was and demonstrates how both teams have worked hard this summer, with many young swimmers developing into strong competitors during this summer season.

“I think the team has done well this summer,” commented Kids coach Cullen Mentzell as he reflected on the season so far. “Swimmers have been doing well all summer with practices and in competition with getting best times.”

Particular evidence of this can be seen in two swimmers at the Bethlehem meet as Nate Scheirer (in the 13-14 age group) and Kole Sandt (in the 11-12 age group) both claimed three first-place victories in their events. Scheirer racked up points for the Kids with wins in the 50-meter breaststroke, 100-meter individual medley, and 50-meter backstroke events, while Sandt was first to the wall in his 100-meter individual medley, 50-meter backstroke, and 50-meter butterfly events.

The 15 & over age group scored significant points for the team, with Tyla Block and Maliya Walp claiming first and second in the 50-meter breaststroke. Walp was also first to the wall in the 50-meter backstroke event. In the 100-meter freestyle event for the girls, Toni Bubier, Ava Keenan, and Olivia Kuhns placed 1, 2, and 3 for the Kids. Logan Saylor tallied team points for the boys’ team with first-place finishes in the 100-meter individual medley and 50-meter butterfly. Josiah Hippert had first-place finishes in the 50-meter backstroke and the 100-meter freestyle events.

The 13-14 age group claimed several important points for the Kids in this meet as the group started their competition for the boys, with Brody Warner, Henry Schoenberger, and Joseph Kennedy claiming first, second, and third place in the 50-meter freestyle event. Anna Hartranft claimed a first-place finish for the girls in the 100-meter freestyle event.

In the 200-meter medley relay, the 13-and-over girls relay team of Maliya Walp, Ava Keenan, Olivia Kuhns, and Toni Bubier placed first. The boys followed with another first place by the team of Josiah Hippert, Nate Scheirer, Ethan Brobst, and Nick Isaac.

Moving to the 11-12-year-old age group, Ava Hartzell and Sarah Harding placed first and second in the 50-meter breaststroke event. Zua Esteban grabbed first place in the girls 50-meter butterfly and 50-meter freestyle events.

Looking at the 10 and under age groups, Norah Goldfeder was first to the wall in the 9-10 year old girls’ 25-meter butterfly event. For the 8 & under Kids swimmers, Addilyn Maurer and Kora Sharkazy placed first and second in the 25-meter butterfly. Sharkazy also claimed first in the 25-meter backstroke and 25-meter freestyle events; in both events, Mia Kelly was close behind in second place. Connor Mentzell claimed first place in the 25-meter butterfly and 25-meter freestyle events for the boys.

“I am always impressed with our 10 and under swimmers,” commented Coach Mentzell. “It is fun to watch them drop time and for some of them learn the sport. They start the season not knowing the four strokes, can’t do a start, and by the middle of the season, they are competing against the other kids and doing well.”

The Kids Summer Swim Team will swim their final meet of the summer season this Thursday, July 11, as they welcome the Whitehall Waves to the Northampton Middle School pool. Suburban Swim League summer championships will be held on July 20, at the Palmerton Memorial Pool.