Tag: National Swimming Championships

Reading Y Swim Team Makes History at YMCA National Championships​

Posted on Updated on by Chrissy Faller

Reading Y Swim Team Makes History at YMCA National Championships

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County Swim Team returned home from Greensboro, North Carolina with more than medals and records — they returned with a powerful reminder of what happens when young people are given the opportunity, support, and confidence to thrive.

Competing against some of the top YMCA swimmers in the country during five days of elite national competition, 16 dedicated Reading Y athletes delivered an unforgettable week of performances, achieving 10 best times in time trials and 29 best times in finals.

Beyond the numbers was something even more meaningful: growth, teamwork, resilience, and the pride of representing their community on a national stage.

A Historic Moment for the Reading Y

One of the biggest highlights came when swimmer Owen Eisenhofer captured 1st place in the 200 Free, becoming the Reading Y’s first-ever National Champion.

The very next day, the team celebrated a second National Championship victory in the 800 Free Relay, showcasing the strength, discipline, and camaraderie that define Reading Y Swimming. Relay team members Jack Martin, Charlie Rogers, Greyson DeMariano, and Owen Eisenhofer helped cement the Reading Y’s place among the nation’s best.

Reading Y Swim Team at National Championship 2026

Additional standout performances included:

  • Jack Martin placing in four national events, including 7th in the 200 Free and 10th in the 50 Free
  • Charlie Rogers earning a 12th-place finish in the 200 Free
  • Greyson DeMariano finishing 4th in the 1650 Free
  • Mia Parry placing 15th in the Individual Medley
  • Keagan Eisenhofer placing in both the 200 Breaststroke and 100 Breaststroke
  • Geno Falduts earning top-15 finishes in breaststroke events

The team also secured strong relay finishes, including 2nd place in the 400 Free Relay and 5th in the 200 Medley Relay. 

More Than Swimming

At the YMCA, success is never measured by medals alone. These athletes represent years of early mornings, long practices, encouragement from coaches and families, and a commitment to pushing themselves further than they thought possible. They also represent what the Y works to build every day: belonging, discipline, confidence, and opportunity.

For many swimmers, the pool becomes more than a place to compete. It becomes a second home — a community where young people learn how to overcome challenges, support one another, and discover their potential both in and out of the water. The impact reaches far beyond the lanes.

Building Stronger Futures Through the Y

Programs like competitive swimming at the YMCA help shape future leaders by teaching lifelong skills including teamwork, accountability, perseverance, and self-confidence. Whether a child dreams of competing nationally or simply wants to feel like they belong somewhere, the Y creates opportunities that change lives.

This year’s national championship performances are a celebration not only of athletic achievement, but of the coaches, families, supporters, and community members who help make those opportunities possible. And for the Reading Y Swim Team, the future is only getting brighter.

This is what belonging, discipline, and opportunity look like.

Reading YMCA’s Swim Team Makes a Splash at 2025 National Championships

Posted on Updated on by Chrissy Faller
Swimming Championship, YMCA Nationals Logo

 

The swim team of the YMCA of Reading & Berks County proudly finished 23rd out of 95 teams at the 2025 YMCA National Long Course Championships held July 28 – August 3, 2025 in Ocala, Florida.

This strong team performance highlighted the dedication and talent of our swimmers on a national stage.

Representing the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, several standout athletes delivered impressive results.

Ava Knopsnyder scored a team-high 34 points, placing 9th in the 200 Free, 14th in the 400 Free, and 10th in the 200 IM. Jack Martin also made a strong showing, scoring 11 points and finishing 11th in the 50 Free.

Reading Y Swim Team at 2025 YMCA National Long Course Championships. Reading YMCA Swimmers Pictured (L-R):  Logan Sensenig, Ava Knopsnyder, Alexis Nonnemacher, Jack Martin, and Abigail Kissling

Reading YMCA Swimmers Pictured (L-R): Logan Sensenig, Ava Knopsnyder, Alexis Nonnemacher, Jack Martin, and Abigail Kissling

As the season concludes, we are thrilled to celebrate three of these five swimmers who will continue their academic and athletic journeys at the collegiate level this fall:

    • Abigail Kissling

    • Ava Knopsnyder, University of Nevada at Las Vegas

    • Jack Martin

    • Alexis Nonnemacher, West Chester University

    • Logan Sensenig, Mount Saint Mary’s University 

The YMCA of Reading & Berks County congratulates all our athletes for their hard work and commitment and looks forward to supporting them as they continue to pursue excellence in and out of the pool.

For more information about the YMCA National Long Course Championships, visit YMCA Swimming & Diving Nationals.

 

Reading YMCA Swim Team | YMCA of Reading & Berks County
Reading YMCA Swim Team in the pool warming up

About the YMCA of Reading & Berks County

For 167 years, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County has been a cornerstone in the community, putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Driven by its founding mission, the Y is a nonprofit committed to strengthening the community and empowering individuals by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections among 2,700 Ys in 10,000 communities across the United States. The YMCA of Reading & Berks County operates branches in Adamstown, Mifflin, Reading, Sinking Spring and Tri Valley.

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 Virginia 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
Reading YMCA Swim Team | YMCA of Reading & Berks County
Reading YMCA Swim Team | YMCA of Reading & Berks County