With thirty-one 12&U swimmers qualifying to compete in the first half of the NJ YMCA State Swimming Championships held February 24-26 at OCY, the Devilfish had several breakout swims and personal best times recorded. Six individuals and six relay teams scored points for the Devilfish by placing sixteenth or higher. At the conclusion of the 12&U competition, the team point total of 154.5 positions the Devilfish at fifteenth place overall. Griff Morgan was a standout performer scoring 60 points with seven individual and 2 relay ‘Top 16’ finishes for the...

Capturing gold in the Girls 100 Free Relay and the Boys 100 Medley Relay, and silver for the Girls 100 Free Relay and Boys 100 Medley Relay, the 8&U Devilfish made a big splash at the at the 2012 NJ/USA 8 and Under “Mini” Championships on Sunday, February 19 at Seton Hall University. Top 8 finishes include: 7&U Girls: Riley Gasson-4thplace (25 Fly and 25 Back), 6th place (25 Free). 7&U Boys: Aidan Trenery-1stplace (25 Back), 3rdplace (25 Fly , 5th place (25 Free), 6thplace (50 Back and 25 Breast);...

Congratulations to the fifty-four swimmers who competed in the NJ YMCA Silver Championships held at GCIT in Sewell, NJ on February 17-19. Breakout swims led to twenty-eight NJ YMCA State Meet qualifying times! Eighty-nine percent of swimmers swam a personal best time in at least one event. Devilfish event winners capturing the gold medal were Stefan Crigler, Julia Diamantopoulos, Rory McGovern, and Kyle Picut. Diamantopoulos teamed up with Lauren Schmeider, Elise Morano and Courtney Han to win the Women’s Senior 200 Free Relay. In addition to the event winners, the...

The Westfield Area Y Devilfish Swim Team was well represented at NJ YMCA Bronze North Championships at Raritan Bay Area YMCA in Perth Amboy on February 11-12. The 79 member Bronze Team swam exceptionally well with 64 swimmers achieving personal best times, including 21 NJ YMCA Silver Meet qualifiers and one NJ YMCA State Meet qualifier. The following swimmers placed in the Top 8: 9-10 Girls: Grace Brown (5th--100 Free); Megan Cassiba (3rd --100 Free); Maya Grantz (3rd--200 IM and 50 Fly, 4th--50Free); Isabelle Weldon (5th--50 Back). 9-10 Boys: Austin...

The 11&Over Devilfish showed their championship spirit at the Summit Area Y Deep Freeze Distance Meet in Summit, February 11-12. With over 60 swimmers participating, the team achieved 94 'best times', including 14 new State times and 17 new Silver times! Congratulations to all swimmers especially Carly Whitmer and Griff Morgan who set new team records: Old 15-18 200 Fly Carly C. Whitmer at 2011 YMCA Nationals Short Course 4/5/2011 2:06.92 New 15-18 200 Fly Carly C. Whitmer at DEEP FREEZE 2012 2/11/2012 2:06.64 Old 11-12 200 Fly Griff Morgan...

New Jersey YMCA Swimming Coaches Committee 2012 Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award To be considered for this Award, a successful candidate must meet the following criteria: 1. Swimmer must be a graduating senior and has been a YMCA swimmer for five consecutive years. 2. Swimmer must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 or equivalent scale during senior year in high school. 3. Swimmer must have plans to continue education at a university or junior college. 4. Swimmer must compete in one of the 2012 New Jersey YMCA...

The 8 & Unders represented the WY Devilfish at the 2012 NJ/YMCA 8&Under Championship on Sunday, February 5 at the Raritan Bay Area YMCA in Perth Amboy, NJ. For some swimmers this was their first championship meet experience. The team had twenty-three swimmers improve their personal best times. Top 10 and "best times" swims include: 6&Under : Katherine Li, 1st Place(25 Breast) 7&Under: Billy Maguire, 3rd Place (25Breast); Roan Baker, 4th Place (25Breast), 6th Place(25Free); Alyssa Hitzel, 10th Place (25Breast/25Free); Peter Youssef, 6th Place (25Breast). "Best times": Margaret Ferris(25Free), Riley...

The Westfield Area Y Swim Team showed its depth as the youngest Devilfish swimmers participated in two invitationals Sunday, December 4. The 9 &Under swimmers competed at the First Frost Mini-Meet hosted by Fanwood Scotch Plains Y, at Raritan Valley Community College and 10-12 year olds swam at the Gator Grid Iron Invitational hosted by the Cranford Gators in Cranford. The team's future stars were shining bright with many great swims and top finishes! Swimmers placing in the Top 8 in "First Frost" events: 7&Under : Roan Baker (2nd place...

The Westfield Area Y Devilfish Swim Team Senior Group travelled to Long island to compete at the MR FLY Holiday Invitational Held at the Nassau County Aquatic Center, December 9-11. The annual meet is a mid- season challenge that brings together some of the top rival teams in the tri-state area. Highlights include a new team record set by Caroline Baldwin in Women’s Open 100yd Backstroke with a time of 58.18 and a second place overall finish for the Senior Boys’ team. Many swimmers achieved top times and/or breakout swims,...

Westfield Area Y Devilfish Swim Team standout Abby Pires of Mountainside signs a letter of commitment to attend Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA. Pires has been a member of the Devilfish for 8 years and is a 5 time qualifier for YMCA Nationals in 100 and 200 Breastroke, and the 200 and 400 Medley Relay. Pictured with Pires is Brian Guidera, Westfield Area Y Devilfish Head Coach and Director of Competitive Aquatics.