The YMCA of Northwest Louisiana had a historical weekend recently hosting and winning the inaugural YMCA-sanctioned competitive swimming event held in Louisiana, according to YMCA swim team director John Janszen.

The South Central Regional YMCA Championship attracted nearly 200 swimmers with six teams visiting the local YMCA from Texas.

“At least four were first-time registrants as officially approved YMCA competitive swim teams by Y-USA,” Janszen said. “This is something Y-USA has been working towards for many years for teams in the South.”

The Shreveport YMCA had 65 swimmers in the event, while approximately 120 competitors were from Texas teams. More than 100 volunteers assisted the organizers during the two-day competition.

“Official YMCA swim meets are an eligibility requirement for swimmers desiring to compete at the YMCA National Swimming Championships,” Janszen said. “The YMCA of Northwest Louisiana currently has four swimmers qualified by performance and these meets are a necessity for earning their eligibility to attend.”

“Our hope is to make these events an annual occurrence and to grow them even larger in future years.”

Two local swimmers set YMCA records with Sarah Holt taking the 100 Free in 54.80 and Jeffrey Cochran capturing the 1650 Free in 17:35.22.

Attending teams from Texas included Benbrook Community Center YMCA, Cooper Street YMCA, Coppell Family YMCA, Jer Chilton YMCA at Rockwall, Park Cities YMCA and Town North YMCA.

Several YNWLA or Red River Aquatic Club records were broken.
Mixed 200 Medley Relay 15 & Over: Katherine Bush, Rieley Arnold, Jeffrey Cochran, Sarah Holt (1:49.71); Josh Roper 13-14 Boys 50 Back (28.11); Miguel Cascante 9-10 Boys 25 Breaststroke (23.43); Henry Cooner 9-10 Boys 25 Backstroke (36.67); Catherine Payne 9-10 Girls 25 Butterfly (22.49).
Ivy Joseph 9-10 Girls 50 Breaststroke (41.45) and 200 Breaststroke (3:16.20); Evelyn Zhang 13-14 Girls 50 Breaststroke (35.77); Sarah Holt 15 & Over Girls 50 Breaststroke (33.08); Jonah Pearson 8 & Under Boys 50 Breaststroke (52.77); Reiley Arnold 15 & Over Boys 50 Breaststroke (31.90); Dru Thatcher 13-14 Boys 50 Breaststroke (35.50); 9-10 Girls 100 Free Relay (1:08.27) Ivy Joseph, Catherine Payne, Erin Rhoades, Molly Moncrief; Hunter Hayden 9-10 Boys 25 Butterfly (24.65); Nick Culbertson 9-10 Boys 25 Free (21.45)
Jeffrey Cochran 1650 Free (17:35.22); Anya Trutschl 8 & Under Girls 100 Free (1:40.33); Mixed 400 Medley Relay   15 & Over Reiley Arnold, Sarah Holt, Jeffery Cochran, Katherine Bush (4:11.17); Mixed 400 Medley Relay 13-14 Claire Roper, Riley Walden, Aiden Kiihnl, Dru Thatcher (4:52.86).

YMCA of Northwest Louisiana volunteers who worked a recent swimming event in Shreveport.

YMCA of Northwest Louisiana volunteers who worked a recent swimming event in Shreveport. (Photo: Submitted photo)