Community Sports

Good for You: Four Gig Harbor YMCA swimmers qualify for regionals

Four young swimmers from the Tom Taylor YMCA Seals Swim Team qualified for the YMCA Northwest Regional Swimming Championships in Boise, Idaho, March 4-6. The event featured the best swimmers from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington and Wyoming.

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The foursome competed in the YMCA state meet Jan. 29 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

They are:

Tom Taylor YMCA Seals swim team members who qualified for regionals are, from left, Henry Schlicher and Madison Ragulsky and Amelia Evans, and in back, Lee Gjertson. Photo courtesy of Tim Ragulsky

Henry Schlicher, 8, qualified in 8-under 25 freestyle, 25 backstroke, 25 butterfly and 50 freestyle.

Madison Ragulsky, 8, in 8-under 25 freestyle.

Amelia Evans, 10, in 9-10 50 freestyle, 50 breaststroke and 100 breaststroke. At regionals, Evans won the 200 free, 50 free, 100 breast and 50 back, and placed second in the 100 individual medley and 50 breast. She swam personal bests in five of the six events.

Lee Gjertson, 13, in 13-14 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke and 50 breaststroke. Though she didn’t medal at regionals, all four of her swims were personal bests.

The team features about 50 swimmers, many new to the team. They have only been practicing since September because of COVID-19 restrictions. A large demand has driven the hiring of a new part-time head coach and part-time assistant coach, plus a search for another part-time head coach.

Swimmers practice two or three days per week based on skill level and commitment. A five-day-per-week option is in the works.

Anyone interested in trying out for the team should contact Dr. Brenda Wilks, senior aquatics director, at (253) 534-7861.