The Upper Perk Otters swim team held their last regular season meet at home last Thursday night against the Laurelwood Swim Club. John Miller swim the backstroke in the boys' 9-10, 100-meter medley relay.

The Upper Perk Otters brought their regular season to a close last Thursday with a home meet against Laurelwood Swim Club. Although the Otters suffered a disappointing 320-213 loss, the team celebrated several more swimmers’ qualifying for A Championships.

For the 8-and-under teams, there were a handful of first-place finishers. The boys’ 100-meter medley and 100-meter freestyle relays, both consisting of David Kilroy, Joseph McGillan, Trevor Cairns, and Justin Heimes, took the win.

Individually, Cairns earned first in the 25-meter backstroke (22.57) and breaststroke (26.41). 8-and-under girls' winners included Breanna O’Conner in the 26-meter freestyle (22.37) and Michaela Freczek in the 25-meter breaststroke (22.97).

Kaylee Heimes took first for Upper Perk’s 9-10 age group, finishing the 25-meter butterfly event in 17.63.

For the 11-12 age group, winners on the boys’ side included Marcus Sobetsky and Mitch Cairns in the 50-meter backstroke (39.91) and 100-meter IM (1:39.51), respectively. Kirsten Siwy and Jackie Hammill finished first in the 50-meter free (33.85) and 100-meter IM (1:28.11).

A handful of older swimmers also came out victorious against Laurelwood. Winners consisted of Krysta Rehrig, Becky Strawbridge and Ryan Himmelwright in the 100-meter IM (1:24.43, 1:26.61, 1:10.68) and Zak Kibler in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:20.81). Almost all of Upper Perk’s relay teams earned first in the freestyle relay.

The Otters honored two graduating seniors at this meet. Himmelwright and Strawbridge, who have been with the team for 11 and seven years, respectively, have put a commendable amount of time and effort into the program, instructors said.

“They do a tremendous job uniting the team and teaching the younger swimmers all these little tricks to better their stroke techniques,” said proud head coach Corrine Guntz. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to be their coach, and I know they will do great things and truly make a difference.”

Swimmers who qualified during this meet for Monday’s A Championships at Hillside included Michaela Greczek (25-meter freestyle), Brooke Stempel and Emily Badman (50-meter freestyle), Clara Guntz and Bailey McCausland (25-meter breaststroke), Shayla Good (50-meter breaststroke).

This week, A Championships were held at Hillside on Monday, SR Championships at Laurelwood on Tuesday, and Upper Perk hosted B championships on Wednesday.