You Sent It In: Moon Aqua Club Swims in Junior Olympics

The 2012 London Olympics began July 27 and lifelong dreams are set to be realized. 

On a local scale, Coach Zac Gebhardt took his Moon Aqua Club to the Allegheny Mountain Swimming Junior Olympics Championships held at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio.

This four-day event showcases the best athletes from around the region in the world class facility of the Spire Institute, one of the largest, indoor, multi-sport, training and competition complexes in the world. 

With more than 750,000 square feet under-roof and acres of outdoor facilities, the Spire Institute has the unique capacity to simultaneously host clubs, leagues, tournaments and championship events no matter the weather or season. Every consideration has been taken to create an unparalleled experience for the athlete, the coach and the spectator. 

Parent Tim Haluszczak was amazed at the caliber of aquatic facility.

“I am impressed that Moon Aqua Club traveled with their team to such an incredible place. This is the first regional meet my daughter has competed in, within the 11 and 12-year-old age bracket, and boy were the times fast. There were many of Moon’s athletes setting personal best times throughout the weekend.”

The choice for regional clubs, competitive training and international meets, the Aquatics Center enables more athletes to compete in a fraction of the time. It features:

• 10 lane, 50 meter Olympic size pool with two moveable bulkhead
• The pool holds 1.2 million gallons of water
• 1- and 3-meter diving area
• Olympic-grade timing systems and Omega starting blocks
• Underwater camera systems for capturing and analyzing strokes
• Full locker room facilities
• Extensive seating for over 800 with great views

Thirteen Moon Aqua Club athletes were thrilled to travel to the Spire Insitute, which is the newest, fastest pool in the country. Athletes ranging in age from 10 to 17 took part in the swim experience. 

The Moon Aqua Club athletes: Rachel Balogh (14), Amelia Besterman (13), Emma Connors (10), Sarah Francis (16), Macrae Haluszczak (11), Lily Kraus (13), Sierra Neft (17), Madison Olander (15), Alyssa Protch (14), Kathryn Wroblewski (15), Robert Cary (16), Alec Kanai (15), Allen Smith (10).  Times were fast, the facility is world class, and the athletes trained months for the championships.

A few of the top times and placements were:

• Girls 800 Free Relay took 3rd overall with a time of 10:10.14L. 
• Alyssa Protch (14), Amelia Besterman (13), Madison L. Olander (15), Sarah Francis (16)

Individuals:

• Emma Connors (10) took 5th in the 100 free 1:16.9L AA, 6th in the 200 free 2:49.75L AA, 5th in the 50 free 33.90L AA
• Madison Olander (15) took 4th in the 1500 19:46L A
• Allen Smith (10) took 6th in the 400 free 5:47L AA, 8th in the 100 free 1:16L AA, 7th in the 200 free 2:47L A

—Written by Tim and Kelly Haluszczak and submitted by the Moon Aqua Club.