Ava Sealander takes the PVC title in the 200 yard freestyle. Photo by Franklin Brown
Blue Hill—George Stevens Academy junior Ava Sealander captured two Penobscot Valley Conference championship titles at the 39th annual meet on February 11 at Husson University, racing to first place in the 200 yard freestyle event by a bare second and, in the 100 yard breaststroke, by a comparatively wide 3.5 second margin.
“We had a great PVC championship,” Coach Don Driscoll said. “We only had six girls competing and still took eighth place.”
Sealander qualifies for the state championships in all events, but has decided to only compete in the 200 yard individual medley and 100 yard butterfly events.
Also qualified are junior Ellie Gellerson in the 100 yard breaststroke and 50 yard freestyle, and junior Elana Bakeman in the 50 yard and 100 yard freestyle events,
All four will compete as a team in the 200 yard medley and 200 yard freestyle relays.
On the boys side, senior Evan Soukup will race in the 50 yard and 100 yard freestyle events, while sophomore Jeremiah Scheff will compete in the 50 yard freestyle. With Alex Yap and Randy Yan, they will compete in the 200 yard medley and 200 yard freestyle relays.
The boys state Class B championships will be held on Saturday, February 18, at the University of Maine in Orono, and the girls on Monday, February 20. Starting times have not yet been announced.
Emma Larson-Whittaker, Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay. Photo by Franklin Brown