Members of the Sewickley Valley YMCA swimming team like to go for treats at the Penn State Berkey Creamery after competing in the Pennsylvania YMCA championship.
When this year’s meet was called off because of concerns over the possible spread of the coronavirus, Sea Dragon coach Paula Kwalick planned a fun meet with an ice cream party afterwards.
It was small consolation to Thomas Fuener, who hoped to put the cherry on top after an impressive showing in the district meet.
“I was looking forward to competing against some other amazing swimmers, but I understand why they would cancel it,” said Fuener, 13, a Quaker Valley seventh-grader.
Fuener earned a gold medal in the boys 11-12 50-yard butterfly in 26.79 seconds in the West District championship March 6-7 at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio. He finished a whopping three-plus seconds over the runner-up (30.05).
“Thomas has a flawless butterfly stroke, great turns and a powerful kick,” Kwalick said. “I have no doubt he would have won the event at the state championship.”
Kwalick said Fuener was determined after placing third in the 50 freestyle (26.33) and second in the 100 freestyle (56.51).
“He told assistant coach Amber Miller, ‘I’m going to win this,’ ” Kwalick said.
Fuener said he was shocked to drop so much time. He also anchored the 200 freestyle relay team of Ryan Steinfurth, Isaac Tennant and Patrick Connors (1:53.55) that was second.
On the girls side, Vivian Jeffries led the Sea Dragons with a silver medal in the 10-and-under backstroke (1:15.55).
Jeffries, Felicity Portoulas, Amelia Suhayda and Grace Keisel were third in the 200 medley relay (2:27.20). Catrina Raich came in fourth in the 13-14 butterfly (1:02.30).
Among other state qualifiers were the 10-and-under freestyle relay team of Keisel, Portoulas, Maria Pinto and Suhayda and the girls 11-12 medley relay of Ruby Olliffe, Abby Suhayda, Katherine Linge and Mia Fusco.
“(Fuener) is one of 15 swimmers who (was) disappointed they will not be able to swim at states,” Kwalick said.
