New YMCA pool stages first youth swim meet

IRON MOUNTAIN – Northern Lights YMCA youth swim team hosted its first meet at the new pool at the Dickinson Center Saturday. The Polar Plunge pitted NLYMCA swimmers against teams from both the Marquette and Marinette/Menominee YMCAs.

“The first meet in our new pool was a huge success,” NLYMCA head coach Tanner Walsh said. “Our team of swimmers at the Dickinson Center has been working extremely hard all season, and it was just great to see improvements up and down our roster.”

The Dickinson Center squad saw 21 swimmers improve times at the meet. First-place swims by members of the Dickinson team included 10-year old Kailey Matuszewski in the 50 breaststroke, 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle; and 11-year old Thomas Gibbons in the 100 breaststroke.

Second-place finishes by Dickinson swimmers included eight-year old Aubrey Dixon in the 25 and 50 freestyle; 10-year old Allison Deuter in the 50 butterfly; and 13-year old Sierra Scott in the 500 freestyle.

The Dickinson team also had several swimmers competing for the first time. Those efforts included nine-year old Anna Bolander in the 50 butterfly; nine-year old Bryce Johnson in the 50 free, 100 free and 50 backstroke; and 10-year old Kerianna Hayes the 50 free and 50 backstroke.

Dickinson swimmers who improved times were Dixon, Deuter, Gibbons, Matuszewski, Scott, Makayla Corsi, Marley Dixon, Ava Gibbons, Ben Lundholm, Joey Lundholm, Mary Lundholm, Elema Nelson, Isaac Nelson, Juliet Newman, Macey Pietrantonio, Olivia Sage and Cira Windell.

“We are grateful to all the volunteers who helped this meet go off without a hitch, especially our parents the members of the Kingsford High School team who also assisted with the event,” said Walsh.

Saturday’s meet was the only home event at the Dickinson Center this season