The Tyrone/Bellwood/Bishop Guilfoyle boys swim team had a successful dual meet season, finishing 10-3, one of the best records in recent history. Due to low numbers, the girls’ team struggled to fill lanes and was not as successful, finishing 1-12. However, the girls still had several good individual performances during the dual meet season.
The boys season included an exciting 87-74 win over Hollidaysburg and a 99-64 win over rival Altoona, making Tyrone 2-0 against the other two Blair County schools.
Tyrone also had close wins against Somerset (89-74) and Huntingdon (93-64).
The biggest heartbreaker happened at Marion Center, where the Golden Eagles narrowly missed their 11th win of the season, losing on a Tyrone disqualification for an early start on the final 400 relay, giving the win to Marion Center.
On the individual side, Bellwood senior Spencer Dunklebarger and Bishop Guilfoyle junior Isaac Yezkey ran the show barely taking any losses during the regular season. Tyrone sophomore Lucas Bonsell and Bellwood sophomore Cameron Gallagher were also team leaders in multiple events.
Bonsell qualified in the 200 relay, 100 backstroke (1:08.43), and the 100 butterfly (1:01.39) making him the only butterflyer from Tyrone to go to districts.
At Districts Dunklebarger will swim the 200 medley relay (1:50.16), 100 freestyle (51.29), 100 breaststroke (1:07.00), and 200 relay (1:36.00).
Yezkey will swim the 200 medley relay, 50 freestyle (24.76), 100 backstroke (1:04.62), and the 200 freestyle relay.
Gallagher will swim the 200 medley relay, the 200 free relay, and his 50 free (25.13) Goodman goes for the 400 relay while Smearman qualified for his 50 freestyle (27.88) and the 400 relay.
Other boys from Tyrone who made contributions this season and qualified for districts were senior Rocky Romani and Dylan Eckenrode, and freshman Eric Goodman.
Freshmen Cameron Nelson and Ned Smearman from Bellwood also contributed on the boys side.
Romani qualified for districts in the 50 free (26.14) and as a member of the 400 free relay team (4:06.20).
Eckenrode qualified in the 100 backstroke (1:10.63), 200 freestyle (2:12.78) and 400 relay.
Smearman will compete at districts in the 50 free and the 400 free relay. Nelson will attend the meet as an alternate for the 400.
The girls lone win of the season was a 70-56 win at home over Penns Valley. The girls also lost close meets to Somerset 99-70 and Altoona 78-53.
Bellwood senior Evalyna Aiken brought in many points during the regular season with her 500-yard freestyle, 100 yard backstroke, and as a key member of the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams.
Aiken qualified for districts in the 100 backstroke (1:12.53) and the 500 freestyle (6:31.95), and was a member of the 200 freestyle relay (2:03.43), and the 400 freestyle relay (4:38.92).
Other noteworthy athletes are sophomores Grace Corl and Sophia Cowher, and Bellwood freshman Blake Pennington.
Both Corl and Cowher will swim in the 200 and 400 relay where they will be joined by Tyrone freshman Adalyn Jeffries. Blake will make a district appearance as a member of the 200-relay team.
The District Championship meet will be held at Penn State University on February 22nd and 23rd.
