Competing in high-level YMCA meets prepared Mary Zimmerman for days like Saturday.
In her first trip to the Schuylkill League Swimming Championships, the Schuylkill Haven freshman thrived in the spotlight.
Zimmerman scored impressive individual victories in the 200 freestyle (2:04.87) and 500 freestyle (5:41.22) and anchored the Hurricanes' winning 200 freestyle relay during Saturday's annual event at Pottsville's Ned Hampford Natatorium.
In both of her individual races, Zimmerman defeated Tamaqua senior Miranda Amey, who beat Zimmerman twice during their Schuylkill League dual meet Jan. 23.
"I was a lot more prepared for this meet, both physically and mentally," Zimmerman said. "I was just more prepared.
"This is really exciting. It was a really good time."
In the 200, Zimmerman stormed out to a three-second lead after four laps, covering the first 100 yards in 58.79 seconds. She finished in 2:04.87, while Amey was second in 2:07.33. She followed a similar pattern in the 500 freestyle, grabbing the early lead and finishing in 5:41.22, two seconds faster than her seed time and six seconds ahead of Amey, who was second in 5:47.47.
"I was trying to go out fast," Zimmerman said. "I wanted to go out fast and stay fast and consistent through the whole thing. That was my plan."
Zimmerman was one of four freshmen to win individual events Saturday, with three others grabbing gold medals in relay events.
Marian's Timmy Dando won the 200 freestyle (1:54.01), while fellow Marian freshman Katherine Kurzinsky won the 100 backstroke (1:03.58) and Tamaqua's Rebecca Kanaskie captured the 200 IM (2:24.84).
"It's incredible. It's real fun," said Dando, who lives in Girardville. Dando was also third in the 500 freestyle. "I'm speechless."
Schuylkill Haven's Taylor Felty swam a leg on the Hurricanes' winning 200 freestyle relay team, while Blue Mountain's Mark Boran and Stephen Johnson were members of the Eagles' winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams.
The Eagles' 200 free relay quartet of Johnson, Joey McLaughlin, Boran and Nathanael Marino broke the school record with a time of 1:34.04.
"Stephen has never swam in a club; he started out in rec," Blue Mountain coach Sandy Englert said of Johnson. "He became friends with Mark and decided that he's going to swim just as fast as Mark. And they get along great."
Dando, Kurzinsky and Kanaskie also compete for the Hazleton YMCA, while Zimmerman, Felty and Boran swim for the Schuylkill YMCA Tempest team.
Kurzinsky said attending and competing at big YMCA meets helps prepare her for meets like Saturday's league competition.
"It makes it a little easier, but you're still nervous because there's older kids who are just as fast as you," said Kurzinsky, who was also third in the 100 freestyle. "It's kind of intimidating, but you just have to trust in your ability and in yourself and you'll do well.
"It was really cool to win. It was a great experience."
Zimmerman agreed.
"We've been at a lot of big meets with the Schuylkill Y, like districts and states," she said. "It's really good experience to get us ready for meets like this."
Independents shine
Dando and Kurzinsky led a strong contingent of independent swimmers - student-athletes from Schuylkill League member schools who don't field a dual-meet team.
Millersburg's Cole Davis (200 IM, 500 free) and Ian Lloyd (100 fly, 100 back) were both double-winners, while Weatherly's Jacob Sirkot won the 50 breaststroke (31.51) and took third in the 100 breaststroke and Halifax' Natalie Frantz placed first in the 50 backstroke (31.97).
Marian's Angelina Krupko was second in the 50 breaststroke and third in the 100 breaststroke, Weatherly's Keith Cullen (50 fly) earned a silver medal, and Halifax' Stephanie Paulauskas (50 breast) and Ava Kappenhagen (100 IM) and Millersburg's McKenzie Smith (50 fly) and Richard Cross (100 free) took thirds.
Taking on the champ
Boran had one of the best swims of the day by the youngsters, battling defending champion Lloyd to the wire in the 100 backstroke.
The race was nip-and-tuck for 75 yards before Lloyd pulled away over the final 25 to win in 56.05. Boran was second in 57.04, ahead of 2013 District 11 medalists Billy Sieck of Schuylkill Haven (1:00.24) and Tamaqua's Jake Kropp (1:00.64).
"Mark was determined that he was going to beat him," Englert said. "And when he didn't, you could see the disappointment."
Seniors honored
The Schuylkill League honors the senior members of all the competing teams at each league meet, and did so again Saturday.
Among the seniors who won individual events were Tamaqua's Joann Butkus and Carly Trovinger, Blue Mountain's Maddie Bartush, Davis and Lloyd, and Schuylkill Haven's Nick Semanco.