Monster weekend at Ashland Y: Deep pool of participants ready for state swim meet
Feb. 29—ASHLAND — The Ashland Area YMCA River Monsters are all set to host the annual YMCA State Swim Meet.
Between 450 and 500 swimmers are expected to compete, according to Pat Ewing, the Ashland Area YMCA's first-year aquatic director. The event begins at 5 p.m. today (Friday) and lasts through Sunday.
The Y will be open only to participants and spectators of the meet.
"People get upset because the Y is closed down, but at the end of the day, it's about the kids having the outlet to enjoy something," Ewing said. "... You've got kids from as far west as you can think of, all coming here to us."
Swimmers ages 5-18 will represent eight different YMCAs located throughout the commonwealth. Competitors include 50 registrants from the Ashland Area Y.
Athletes will swim in heats on Friday before the scored competition begins.
Ewing, who assumed the position in September, said the last step of preparation on Thursday was about an eight-hour process. Much of the preparation pertains to safety for swimmers and spectators.
In all, the event is projected to bring in between 1,500 and 2,000 people.
"It's a big impact for the area, not only with businesses all around us, but we will have food trucks here, too," Ewing said.
According to Ewing, Hillbilly Hibachi, Tres Hermanos Nunez, M&J Rolling Cafe and Street Shawarma will sell food throughout the weekend.
Bubbles N Sweets — inside the YMCA — will be open as well.
Elena Sandifer, a 17-year-old who lives in Huntington but swims for Ashland, is aiming to qualify for YMCA Nationals in the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle, according to Bill Cox, Ashland Area YMCA's swim coach.
Brynlee Trippett, of Russell, is trying for Nationals in the 200 free.
After battling back from a back injury, Trippett is now fresh off a state finals appearance in the KHSAA Swim Meet. She is a sophomore at Russell High School.
According to Cox, 13-year-old Kendall Simpson will be competing for high point — the accumulated score totaling points from all events entered. She will be up against Max Reynolds, who is one of the most talented swimmers in the state, Cox said. Reynolds is from North Lexington.
Reynolds (100 butterfly, 100 backstroke) and Sara Keefe (50 free, 100 back, 100 butterfly) are Y-Nat (YMCA Nationals) qualifiers, Cox said.
Chris Peacock, 14, and Ian Sarver, 12, will be vying for high point.
Cox said Oliver Chapman and Parker Blum — both 8-year-old boys — will compete for high point, too.
Cox has been the Ashland Y's swim coach since June. He's been coaching swimming for 20-plus years overall.
"It's been great," he said. "It's a busy schedule, but I've enjoyed it.
"We've got great coaches," he added, referring to Tiffany Aeling and Sarah Ryder, "and great parents and great swimmers. ... This is a pretty big event this weekend. It takes a lot of work, and there's a lot of dedicated parents and swimmers who put in a lot of time for this."
(606) 326-2664 — asnyder@dailyindependent.com
