ORONO—In a field dominated by larger schools, the George Stevens Academy swim team turned in solid performances at the Penobscot Valley Conference championships.
The meet brought hundreds of swimmers to the University of Maine at Orono February 9 and 10 to compete for their team and for themselves.
Senior Ava Sealander swims the butterfly in the 200 yard medley relay. Photo by Franklin Brown
GSA Senior Ava Sealander, who earned PVC titles in the 100 yard breaststroke and 500 yard freestyle was selected as Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet.
“This was an amazing accomplishment. We are so proud of her,” Coach Don Driscoll said.
A GSA boys team of four swimmers placed seventh in a 16-team field, ahead of Brewer, Washington Academy, John Bapst, Hermon and six smaller schools.
Freshman Henry Scheff placed eighth and junior Jeremiah Scheff came in 12th, for a total 6 points in the 50-yard freestyle race. The brothers teamed up with junior Rick Yap and freshman Franklin Sealander to place sixth in two relays, the 200 yard freestyle and the 200 yard medley, earning 18 points for each top finish. The team finished with 42 points.
Junior Jeremiah Scheff, shown above in an earlier meet, was one of four boys GSA brought to the PVC meet. Photo by Franklin Brown
Ellsworth edged out Mount Desert Island by one point, 269-268, to win the meet, followed by Bangor, Old Town, Hampden and Orono.
The Eagle girls finished with 60 points, placing eighth in a field of 13 teams, with Bangor the winner with 228 points, and Brewer runner up with 185.
Ava Sealander posted top times of 5:25.85 in the 500 yard freestyle and 1:09.47 in the 100 yard breaststroke and set school records in both events. Her top finishes earned her team 32 points. Sealander currently holds the fastest time this season among Class B girls in the 100 yard breaststroke,
“I’m pleased with how I did at [the] PVCs and I’m honored to be chosen as performer of the meet,” Sealander said. “Our girls team did really well, and we all had a lot of fun.”
Junior Laura Liu races in the 200 yard freestyle. Photo by Franklin Brown
Senior Ellie Gellerson races in the 200 yard medley relay. Photo by Franklin Brown
Adding to the girls’ score was the 200-yard-freestyle relay team of Sealander, seniors Ellie Gellerson and Elana Bakeman and junior Laura Liu, earning 18 points with a sixth place finish. Sealander, Gellerson, and Bakeman teamed up with junior Katie Forrest to place eighth in the 200 yard medley relay for 10 points.
“All of the GSA swimmers swam their personal best times,” Driscoll said.
He will bring his top swimmers to the state championship meets on February 19 for the boys and February 20 for the girls at Bowdoin College.
Senior Elena Bakeman freestyles in the 200 yard medley relay. Photo by Franklin Brown