By Braeden Kantz, staff writer
Under the surface and missed by the radar, two of Saegertown’s lady athletes swam their way to the state competition in Penn State this weekend. In the 11&12 age division, seventh graders Brittany Houck and Averie Braymer are two of ten swimmers on their Myst Makos YMCA team headed to states.
Houck and Braymer’s team is currently undefeated in meets, and they set a section record of 1:50 in the relay on their journey to states. Houck, one of the state qualifiers, has shown significant improvement over the season, dropping over two seconds in her free stroke and helping her team trim several more seconds in relay races. “Last year I didn’t even make it to states, now I’m seeded top 12,” Houck said.
In order to qualify for states, an individual must place in the top six spots or have one of the top six times from the individuals who didn’t qualify originally.
Even with constant training and endless practices, it’s widely known how far a good team can push a focused athlete. Braymer said, “They (her team) push me. I want to beat the time goals of my friends.” The team’s methods are obviously working as they captured a second place overall team award.
With the state competition closing in fast, the girls will scramble to shave down their times for Saturday, March 25 in the Penn State Natatorium.
