VW Marlins 7th at WOAL championships

Van Wert Marlins information

WAPAKONETA — On July 10-11 the YMCA Marlins traveled to Wapakoneta, joining over 600 swimmers to compete in the 33rd annual Western Ohio Aquatic League (WOAL) championships.

After finishing the short regular season at 2-5, the Marlins placed seventh in the eight-team championship meet. Wapakoneta won the championship for the second year in a row.

Leading the way in points for Van Wert was Jamie Burenga with 73 points and a first-place finish in the 50-meter freestyle and 50-meter backstroke, second place in the 100-meter individual medley and third in the 50-meter breaststroke.

Jayden Welker scored 60 points and placed second in the 50-meter butterfly, fourth in the 50-meter backstroke, and fifth in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter IM and 50-meter breaststroke.

Katie McVaigh also scored 60 points, and placed third in the 50-meter butterfly and 50-meter backstroke, fourth in 100-meter IM and sixth in the 50-meter freestyle.

Mandy Burenga was the only other first place finisher, winning the 25-meter breaststroke. Sam Houg brought home two second-place finishes in the 25-meter backstroke and 50-meter freestyle. Tyra McClain grabbed second in the 50-meter backstroke and 100-meter freestyle and was third in the 100-meter IM.

The Marlins thanked their head coach, Trey Stemen, and assistant coaches Evan Stant, Eric Easley and Hannah Stemen for a great summer season.

Detailed results (All distances are meters; finishers in first through sixth-place are awarded medals)

8 & Under Girls:  Olivia Bockey – 27^th 50 Free; 36^th 25 Free; 37^th 25 Back. Mandy Burenga – 1^st 25 Breast; 12^th 25 Fly; 26^th 25 Free. Emma Miller – 4^th 100 IM; 5^th 25th Free; 6^th 25 Back; 7^th 50 Free. Lilie Mull  – 8^th 25 Free; 9^th 25 Back; 10^th 50 Free. Rory Youngpeter  – 8^th 25 Fly; 11^th 25 Breast; 11th 50 Free.

8 & Under Boys: Sam Houg – 2^nd 25 Back and 50 Free.

9-10 Girls: Karis Holloway  – 13^th 50 Back and 100 Free; 15^th 50 Free; 21^st 50 Breast. Gracie Mull – 3^rd 100 Free; 4^th 50 Back; 5^th 50 Free; 13^th 50 Breast. Sofia Houg  – 3^rd 50 Back; 7^th 100 Free; 8^th 50 Breast. Tyra McClain – 2^nd 50 Back and 100 Free; 3^rd 100 IM; 8^th 50 Fly.

9-10 Boys: Andrew Bockey – 27^th 50 Back; 39^th 50 Free. Luke Bockey – 26^th 50 Back; 32^nd 50 Free. Zane Bockey – 20^th 50 Free; 26^th 50 Back. Luke Miller  – 6^th 100 Free; 21^st 50 Free and 50 Back. Jayden Welker – 2^nd 50 Fly; 4^th 50 Fly; 5^th 50 Free, 100 IM and 50 Breast. Kaden Woolbright – 8^th 50 Free; 15^th 50 Fly.

11-12 Girls: Jamie Burenga – 1^st 50 Free and 50 Back; 2^nd 100 IM; 3^rd 50 Breast. Elizabeth Gerow  – 16^th 100 IM; 17^th 50 Breast; 20^th 100 Free; 31^st 50 Back; 41^st 50 Free. Anna Wasson  –  16^th 100 Free; 19^th 50 Fly; 22^nd 100 IM; 43^rd 50 Free; 46^th 50 Back. Sadie Welker – 44^th 50 Free.

11-12 Boys: Marcus Freewalt – 12^th 50 Fly; 13^th 100 IM; 18^th 50 Free. Daniel Miller – 8^th 50 Back; 8^th 50 Breast; 10^th 50 Free; 11^th 100 IM. Ian Rex – 9^th 50 Back; 11^th 100 Free; 16^th 50 Free. Rickie Welker – 5^th 50 Back; 10^th 50 Fly; 13^th 50 Free; 14^th 100 Free.

13-14 Girls: Chloe Brake – 14^th 50 Free and 100 Free; 15^th 50 Back; 17^th 50 Breast. Katie McVaigh – 3^rd 50 Fly and 50 Back; 4^th 100 IM; 6^th 50 Free. Erin Miller – 8^th 50 Breast; 12^th 100 IM, 50 Fly and 50 Back. Kathryn Wray – 14^th 50 Breast; 21^st 100 IM; 25^th 50 Back; 27^th 50 Free. Rachel Verville – 18^th 100 Free; 20^th 50 Breast; 24^th 50 Back; 28^th 50 Free.

15-18 Girls: Bethany Fast – 8^th 50 Breast; 11^th 100 IM; 13^th 50 Fly and 50 Back; 16^th 50 Free. Hannah Stemen –  5^th 50 Back; 7^th 50 Fly; 10^th 100 Free; 12^th 50 Free; 13^th 100 IM. Emma Verville – 17^th 100 Free; 22^nd 100 IM and 50 Back; 41^st 50 Free.

RELAYS: Girls 8 & Under 100 Medley finished 4^th (M.Burenga, Emma Miller,L. Mull, R.Youngpeter). 13-14 Girls 200 Medley placed 2^nd (J.Burenga, Erin Miller, K.McVaigh, C.Brake). 8 & Under Girls 100 Free finished 4^th (M.Burenga, Emma Miller,L. Mull, R.Youngpeter). 9-10 Girls 200 Free finished 3^rd (S.Houg, K.Holloway, G.Mull, T.McClain). 9-10 Boys 200 Free finished 7^th (Z.Bockey, A.Bockey, L.Bockey, L.Miller).