Anna Clare Fleenor of Salem, Virginia participated in the 2017 YMCA Short Course National Championship Swim Meet in Greensboro, North Carolina earlier this month. The YMCA Nationals Meet had over 197 YMCA’s from across the country represented and a total of 1,409 swimmers participating.
Fleenor is a Freshman at Salem High School and swims for the Salem Family YMCA Sharks, where her mother serves as the head assistant swim coach. She went into the meet with one national qualifying time in the 100 freestyle and came in 103rd overall out of 187 swimmers in the event. Fleenor qualified for additional bonus swims in the 50 freestyle, 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley. At the meet she achieved national qualifying times in all three of these events.
“Anna Clare has worked very hard to achieve this accomplishment. I have coached her for the past two years and I’m proud to see her reach this goal,” said Daniel Smith, Head Swim Team Coach and Aquatics Director at the Salem Family YMCA. “It was an honor to be at this meet with Anna Clare to watch her swim some of the fastest times at the biggest meet of her career,” said Smith.
Also present at the meet were Olympians Missy Franklin, Kelsi Worrell, Rowdy Gaines and Ryan Held. Fleenor had an opportunity to meet and spend time with these accomplished athletes over the five-day meet.
The Salem Family YMCA Sharks have 108 swimmers ranging in age from five to 18 years old. The team offers both a winter league from September – March and summer league from May – July. For swimmers that are not quite ready for swim team, the YMCA teaches swim lessons to all ages and abilities year-round.
-Submitted by Brittany Madonna