While many students were out soaking up the sun on spring break, six of Seaholm’s own were busy swimming in the YMCA National Meet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The four-day meet took place in the International Swimming Hall of Fame Pool. Senior Calley Murphy, juniors Jim Lafave, Patrick Sheppell, sophomores Jack Howard, Matt Wolkhammer, and Charlotte Yaw got to participate in one of the most prestigious meets in the country.
Lafave swam the 100-yard backstroke and placed 156 in the country.
“It was fun to see the best swimmers in the country,” Lafave said.
Howard, Wolkhammer, and Yaw also had success at the meet.
Howard was 128 in the 100-yard breaststroke and 103 in the 200-yard breaststroke.
“I swam pretty well, and got close to my best times,” Howard said.
Wolkhammer was 56 in the 100-yard breaststroke and also got the national cut in the 200-yard breaststroke for next year.
Yaw placed 174 in the 100-yard freestyle and her 800-yard freestyle relay placed 26.
Sheppell had succeeded with his goals by placing 45 in the 500-yard freestyle and 14 place in the 1,000-yard freestyle.
The lone senior Murphy swam four events and placed in three of them. Murphy placed 36 in the 100-yard breaststroke, her 200-yard Medley Relay took 7 place, and her 400-yard Medley Relay took 13 place.
For a couple of swimmers this was a great opportunity for them.
“I loved it,” Wolkhammer said. “By far the best atmosphere of any meet I have ever been too. There were so many swimmers there- seeing national records being smashed is also really cool.”
“It was my first time going,” Howard said. “I saw a lot of fast swimming, and had a lot of fun.”
After months of hard work and preparation, the swimmers truly enjoyed their success.
