Four swimmers from the Diocese of Camden took part in the U.S. Junior National Championships at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center in Irvine, Calif.
The five-day event, spanning July 30 through Aug. 3, attracted the top swimmers in the country ages 18 and younger. Among those top swimmers were recent graduates Scarlett McGlinchey of Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Newfield, and Michael McCarthy of Saint Augustine Preparatory School, Richland, as well as rising high school senior Alyce Lehman of Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Pennsauken, and rising junior Alex Goodman of Paul VI High School, Haddonfield. All four swimmers were representing the Jersey Wahoos Swim Club in Mount Laurel.
Of the four swimmers, Lehman, 17, made the most waves, taking second place in the 200-meter butterfly event on the first day of competition. Lehman, a Stanford University commit, swam a personal best race in 2:10.82, which nearly caught Purdue commit Caroline Mallard, who won gold in 2:10.05. The event is measured in meters, unlike most high school events that are measured in yards.
“I worked really hard this summer, every day,” Lehman said. “There were some long practices and a lot of weightlifting, too. Even though I was nervous and felt like I was under a lot of pressure, I used those nerves to my advantage.”
Overall, Lehman enjoyed a fantastic and busy week, placing in the top 50 in all eight events that she swam. Aside from her silver medal in the 200 fly, some of Lehman’s accomplishments included fifth-place in the 100 fly, 15th place in the 400 freestyle and 24th in the 50 free.
“While it was pretty challenging, they were all events I wanted to compete in,” Lehman said. “I didn’t not want to compete in any of those events because I enjoy swimming all of them.”
Goodman, who is only halfway through his high school career at Paul VI, managed 18th place in the 200 freestyle in a time of 1:50.94. He also posted top 50 times in the 100 and 200 butterfly as well as the 100 freestyle.
McGlinchey, who will swim at Duke University this year, competed in the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke events, with her best finish occurring in the 50 breast in a time of 33.51 for 48th place.
McCarthy, who won an individual state championship in the 500 yard freestyle in the winter for the Hermits, secured 40th place in the 200 butterfly (2:04.31). McCarthy, who will swim at the University of North Carolina Wilmington this year, also posted a 45th place finish in the 800 free in 8:23.47.
Said Lehman, “I’m proud of all my teammates … the ones who were at this meet and also the ones who weren’t. Everyone had a very great summer season.”
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
