The Aqua Gems swam to very impressive finishes in the NCSA Junior National Swimming Championships held in Orlando, FL on March 17th thru 22nd. The foursome of Ayman Andrews, Jamie Grennan, Kenneth Kleso, and Alex Stuart represented the team in a number of events at this highly competitive meet which featured some of the best 18 and under swimmers in the country.

Ayman Andrews and Jamie Grennan became the first two Aqua Gems swimmers ever to finish in the top 16 in their respective events at the National level. Ayman captured 6th place in the 100 butterfly qualifying with a yards time of 49.09 and then returning for finals and swimming to an impressive time of 56.22 in meters (.6 seconds from the Olympic Trial qualifying time). Jamie Grennan also showed his speed in the 50 freestyle qualifying 13th in prelims with a 20.91 and then returning to improve his position to 11th place with a 50 Meters time of 23.88 (only .4 seconds from the Olympic Trials qualifying time).

Ayman continued his strong showing by capturing 17th place in the 50 butterfly by qualifying with a time of 22.66 and then returning for finals and posting a 25,44 time in meters. His final individual placing came in the 200 butterfly where he finished in 30th place with a yards prelim time of 1:52.20 and then posting a time of 2:12 in meters at night. Ayman also competed in the 200 yard freestyle, 200 IM, and 100 yard backstroke.

Other accomplishments included Kenney Kleso's new team records in the 100 yard breastroke (58.80) and 200 yard breastroke (2:09.23). Jamie Grennan also took position of the 100 yard team record in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 53.16 and 50 yard backstroke posting a time of 24.64.

The highlight of the meet came when the relay team of Alex Stuart, Ayman Andrews, Kenny Kleso, and Jamie Grennan captured a new Metro Record in the 200 Med Relay with a stunning time of 1:33.63 taking the record away from the Westcherster Marlins. The relay captured 11th place overall.

On the event of the Championships the Aqua Gems qualified 15th place in the 400 yd Med Relay with a new team record of 3:28.09 and then returned at night to swim the 400 Meter Med Relay to a 9th place finish with a new team record of 3:58.09 (lowering the existing record by 17 seconds). Even though the relay could not move up in the standings, they posted the 6th fasted time in the Junior Nationals for this event.

Please join the entire coaching staff in congratulating the boys on their fine accomplishments!

Next up for the Aqua Gems in the United States Sectional Swimming Championships which will be held in Germantown, MD this coming weekend. The team of Ayman Andrews, Shaun Greer, Kenny Kleso, Jamie Grennan, Alex Stuart, Elliott Brooks, Evan Morrero and Nick Zazula have qualified and will represent our team. Good Luck Boys!

"Trust", "Believe", "Achieve"

Go Aqua Gems!!