NLYMCA Dickinson swimmers hosted a meet in Iron Mountain on Nov. 12. Local participants included (back, l-r) Tucker Williams, Bryce Johnson, Ella McLean, Kailey Matuszewski, Allison Deuter, Nahia Zamorano, Sierra Scott, Adeline Alwine, Aubree Peterson and Gianna Novara; (third row) Ella Murphy, Aubrey Dixon, Lydia Baumgartner, Triston Trevillian, Kennedie Trevillian, Dominic Tatangelo, Kyara Noasconi, Alexandra Lampi and Michael Covitz; (second row) Cira Windell, Sawyer Williams, Sierra Tatangelo, Ellie Williams, Logan Corsi, Katarina Blair, Lucy Krznarich, Paige Mitchell and Catherine Majors; and (front) Archer Kowproski, Greyson Williams, Weston Trevillian, Miriam Gustafson, James Carlson, Eva Burns, Sophia Hayes, Ella Mclaughlin and Annika Gustafson. Not pictured: Ben Lundholm, Charlie Lundholm, Clare Lundholm, Mary Lundholm, Eli Linsmeyer, Sebastian Tappy and Makaya Hurley.

IRON MOUNTAIN – More than 100 youth swimmers competed at the Deer Camp Invite at Northern Lights YMCA Dickinson Center on Nov. 12.

The Dickinson Center had 44 swimmers, with other competitors coming from the Delta YMCA, Marquette YMCA and the Marinette and Menominee YMCA.

“It’s wonderful to see so many of our youth taking up competitive swimming,” NLYMCA Dickinson head coach Amy Tatangelo said. “There was a lot of excitement in the air, and all the kids had so much fun at the meet.”

The Dickinson team posted nearly 20 first-place finishes on the day. Leading the way with multiple first-place efforts was Nahia Zamorano (age 15) with wins in the 100, 200, 500 freestyle and 200 individual medley, and Bryce Johnson (age 12) in the 50 freestyle, 100 IM and 50 breaststroke.

Sierra Tatangelo (age 8) took firsts in the 25 free, 25 breaststroke and 50 free, qualifying for state competition in all three events. Double winners included Ella Murphy (age 9) in the 100 backstroke and 100 IM; Clare Lundholm (age 9) in the 100 butterfly and 500 backstroke; and Dominic Tatangelo (age 10) in the 50 and 500 freestyle. Murphy also posted a state-qualifying time in the 50 backstroke.

Cira Windell (age 10) notched first in the 50 freestyle, and Sawyer Williams (age 8) won the 50 backstroke.

“We are seeing consistent improvement from all our swimmers,” Tatangelo said. “These kids are committed and working hard to get better each and every day.”

Other notable performances included first-year swimmer Sebastian Tappy completing the challenging 500 yard freestyle, and major time improvements were scored by Lydia Baumgartner, Logan Corsi, Allison Deuter, Aubrey Dixon, Miriam Gustafson, Johnson, Alexandra Lampi, Lundholm, Mary Lundholm, Dominic Tatangelo, Kennedie Trevillian, Ellie Williams, Tucker Williams and Windell.

Along with Tappy, the meet was the first-ever competition for NLYMCA Dickinson swimmers Archer Koprowski, Lucy Krznarich, Katarina Blair, Eva Burns, Eli Linsmeyer, Charlie Lundholm, Michael Covitz, Sophia Hayes, Paige Mitchell and Makaya Hurley.

“Our new swimmers can easily be intimidated when competing for the first time,” Tatangelo said. “Once those nerves settle, they realize how fun and exciting competitive swim can be.”

A full photo gallery from the meet can be found on the Northern Lights YMCA Dickinson Center Facebook page.

Up next for the NLYMCA team is a meet at Marinette-Menominee YMCA in early December.

To find out more information about the NLYMCA swim team or to join, please contact the YMCA at 906- 774-4076.

New swimmers are always welcome at any time.