The Rockingham Area Youth Swim team wrapped up its summer season with strong performances at the Granite State Swimming Association Championships Aug. 7 and 8.
The Rays are a local swim team based out of the Londonderry and Salem Workout Club and Wellness Centers. The summer team included athletes from Windham, Salem, Pelham, Londonderry, Derry, Chester, Litchfield, Auburn, Nashua, Hampstead and Sandown.
The Rays sent 52 athletes (20 in the 10-and-under age group) to the Division I state championships. Sixteen teams participated in the event in Division I and Division III, with the top 12 swimmers/teams from each division scoring in races. The 10 and under swimmers swam in a 25-yard pool, and the 11 and older swimmers swam in a 50-meter pool.
Many of the Rays had strong performances in both their individual and relay competitions.
Among the younger Rays, Ryan Golabiewski of Derry, Asa Runge, Eli Runge, Dominic Zirn and Kyle Zirn of Chester competed, receiving many top placements and personal best times.
In the 8-and-under boys group, Ryan Golabiewski placed fifth in the 25-yard backstroke, and ninth in both the 50 freestyle and 25 freestyle. Asa Runge placed third in the 25 butterfly and fourth in the 100 IM.
In the 9- and 10-year-old group, Eli Runge and Dominic Zirm scored in all their individual events. Eli placed second in the 50 freestyle, sixth in the 100 IM, and seventh in the 50 fly. Dominic placed seventh in the 50 breaststroke, ninth in the 50 freestyle and 10th in the 100 IM.
There were not enough 9- and 10-year-old Rays boys to compete in relay events at this meet.
There were also many strong relay finishes by the 11- to 19-year-old Rays boys and girls.
The 11- and 12-year-old girls medley relay team of Sara Muller of Derry, Justine Aho of Pelham, Anna Matsco and Laura Pomeroy of Windham placed eighth.
A freestyle team of Sara, Justine, Anna and Isabella Spagnulo placed eighth as well.
In the 15- to 19-year-old group, the girls medley relay team of Rachel Flynn of Nashua, Julia Bushell of Windham, Ellen Courtemanche of Londonderry and Tori Clavarie of Derry placed third. The team of Angela Bleeker of Windham, Mandy Avella of Londonderry, Johanna Steinbauer of Hampstead and Jane Tighe of Windham placed eighth. Tori, Rachael and Julia also joined with Katie Schmidt of Windham to take fourth place in the 15- to 19-year-old freestyle relay.
Outstanding swimmers Nicholas Bergstrom of Derry and Alex Flynn of Nashua both aged up for the medley relay to join teammates Paul Bimmler and Nathan Thompson of Chester to take fourth place.
Older Rays from Derry, Chester and Hampstead placed in individual races:
11- to 12-year-old girls: Sara Muller of Derry, sixth in 50 backstroke.
11- to 12-year-old boys: Addison Carder-Camillo of Derry, second in 50 backstroke, fourth in 50 fly and sixth in 50 freestyle.
13- to 14-year-old boys: Nick Bergstrom, first in both 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, and second in the 100 fly; Connor Flemming of Chester, seventh in 100 backstroke, eighth in 50 freestyle and ninth in 100 freestyle.
15- to 16-year-old girls: Tori Claverie of Derry, second in 50 freestyle and eighth in both the 100 and 200 freestyle; Johanna Steinbauer of Hampstead, 11th in 200 freestyle and 12th in 100 fly.
17- to 19-year-old boys: Nathan Thompson of Chester, third in 100 freestyle, sixth in 50 freestyle and seventh in 100 backstroke.
For additional meet results or team information, visit mv.com/org/rays-nh. Signups for the Rays fall/winter season will be held Sept. 9 at the Londonderry Workout Club and Wellness Center from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
