Day: April 25, 2025

Making Waves on the National Stage

Posted on Updated on by Amber Fox

YMCA of Reading & Berks County Swim Team Shines at YMCA Nationals 

YMCA of Reading & Berks County swim team at YMCA Nationals 2025

Reading YMCA (RY) swim team was center stage at the YMCA National Short Course Swimming Championship at Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, NC from Monday, March 31 to Friday, April 4, 2025.

This year, 19 RY swimmers qualified at States to compete at nationals against the top youth swimmers from YMCAs around the country: Greyson DiMariano, Keagan Eisenhofer, Owen Eisenhofer, Elle Fisher, Andrew Gates, Addie Johnson, Wynnleigh Kearney, Abi Kissling, Maddie Klinger, Ava Knopsnyder, Cole Krenitsky, Allie Ludwig, Jack Martin, Joey Myer, Mia Parry, Charlie Roger, Keiryn Stoltzfus, Peter Suhrbier, Braden Weise.

After a phenomenal season full of grit, early mornings, and unforgettable moments, our Reading Y swimmers made a national splash. With top-tier individual finishes, relay records, and that unbeatable Y spirit, these athletes brought their A-game and came home as certified national competitors.  

Star Performers

All five boys’ relays placed in the Top 5 nationally breaking every existing team relay record along the way. This powerhouse relay squad included Jack Martin, Charlie Rogers, Owen Eisenhofer, and Keagan Eisenhofer, proving that teamwork, grit, and dedication can take you all the way. 

These individual swimmers had some seriously stellar moments in the water: 

  • Ava Knopsnyder turned heads with a 14th-place finish in the 300 Free, 8th in the 200 IM, and 16th in the 200 Fly. Graceful, fierce, and fast—Ava’s versatility in the pool was nothing short of inspiring. 
  • Owen Eisenhofer brought the heat with an 8th-place finish in the 100 Back and 16th in the 200 IM. With speed and consistency, he also crushed the 100 Free.  
  • Keagan Eisenhofer made serious waves with a 5th-place finish in the 200 Breast and a 6th in the 100 Breast.  
  • Joey Myer earned 16th in the 400 IM and 10th in the 100 Breast with endurance and tenacity in the pool. 
  • Braden Weise earned 13th in the 100 Fly, 5th in the 200 Free, 12th in the 50 Free, and 7th in the 100 Free.  

Every stroke, every finish, every personal best contributed to an unforgettable championship showing—and every athlete brought pride to our community. 

Coaches Who Cultivate Champions—and Character 

Behind every fast finish and national placement is a coach (or seven) who believed in the kids before the medals ever existed. 

At the helm is the always-inspiring Coach Kim Evans, whose leadership is equal parts technique, motivation, and unconditional support. She’s backed by a squad of incredible assistant coaches: Kelly Skiptunas, Scott Williams, Cody Kauffman, Theresa Johnson, Kate Fanning, and Maggie Foight. This coaching dream team isn’t just training swimmers—they’re shaping well-rounded, confident, kind humans.  

The amount of work these kids put in is amazing. Seeing them achieve personal goals, set new team records, and make lifelong memories—it’s what makes it all worth it.

Coach Kim

Looking Back at States

RY Swim Team had an amazing showing at Pennsylvania YMCA State Swimming Championships from March 21 – 23, 2025 in Morgantown, West Virgina at The Aquatic Center at Mylan Park. RY ranked in 2nd Place Boys Team Overall and 3rd Place Overall Team. 

INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONS:

  • Greyson DiMariano – 1650 free (NATIONAL QUAL)
  • Keagan Eisenhofer – 200 breast (STATE RECORD)
  • Wynnleigh Kearney – 100 breast
  • Ava Knopsnyder – 100 fly
  • Jack Martin – 100 free
  • Braden Weise – 100 breast

RELAY STATE CHAMPIONS:

Open Girls

  • 200 Free Relay: Lexi Nonnemacher, Allie Ludwig, Mia Parry, Ava Knopsnyder
  • 200 Medley Relay: Mia Parry, Ava Knopsnyder, Bria Burkholder, Allie Ludwig

Open Boys

  • 400 Free Relay: Owen Eisenhofer, Joey Myer, Charlie Rogers, Braden Weise
  • 200 Medley Relay: Jack Martin, Keagan Eisenhofer, Joey Myer, Charlie Rogers