X-Cel Swimming Sets New Team Records at Junior Olympics

Princeton, NJ - X-Cel Swimming is pleased to announce results for swimmers who set new team records and finished among the Top 8 in their events at the recently held Junior Olympics. The team finished eighth out of the forty-three attending teams with many sectional, zone and gold medal wins! The event was held at Rutgers University, July 28-31.

In the 10 and under age group, Richard Yuan, 10, achieved a fifth place zone time in the 50 back (39.01).

In the 11-12 age group, Melinda Tang, 11, set new team records in the following events: placed second in the 400 free (4.51.82) and achieved a second place gold in the 400 IM (5:30.54) and a third place gold in the 1500 free (19:09.05). Tang also won second place in both the 200 IM (2:39.29) and achieved a zone time in the 100 fly (1.10.93), placed fourth with a zone time in the 200 free (2:19.18) and eighth in both the 100 free (1:05.52), and achieved zone time in the 50 fly (32.29). Jackie Ngu, 11, finished fifth and achieved a zone time in the 200 back (2:38.95). Eric Tong, 12, won second place in 50 free (28.69), fourth place in 50 back (34.00), seventh place in both the 100 free (1:04.22) and achieved a gold time in the 200 free (2:23.29). Tong also achieved an eighth place zone time in the 100 back (1.14.88). Kara Lydzinski, 12, won second place in the 50 free (29.33), achieved a fourth place zone time in 100 fly (1:11.77), placed fifth and achieved zone times in both the 100 free (1:05.04) and the 50 fly (31.97). Lydzinski also placed sixth in both 50 breast (38.96) and achieved a zone time in the 100 breast (1:24.67). Michael Zhong, 11, placed sixth with a gold time in the 800 free (10:30.44) and eighth in 200 fly (2:48.81).

In the 13-14 age group, Samantha Chan, 13, finished eighth in the 200 breast (2:54.69). Vincent Gibbons, 14, achieved a third place zone time in the 50 free (26.93), placed fourth in the 100 free (58.76) and achieved an eighth place gold in the 100 back (1:09.32)

In the senior age group, Colburn Yu, 15, set a new team record and achieved an eighth place sectional time in the 100 breast (1:10.24). Serena Deardorff, 16, won a first place sectional time in the 200 fly (2.22.77), and placed fifth in the 100 fly (1:05.23). Deardorff also placed seventh in the 100 fly (1:06.35), achieved an eighth place gold in the 200 IM (2.30.47) and set a new team record in 200 back (2:31.89). Megan Lydzinski, 17, placed fifth and achieved sectional times in both the 100 free (59.39) and 50 free (27.29). Anna Marshall, 17, finished seventh in 200 breast (2:49.37). Addison Hebert, 17, achieved a third place sectional time in the 50 free (24.56) and placed fifth with a sectional time in the 100 free (54.91).

New team records were set in the following relays: Jackie Ngu, Kara Lydzinski, Melinda Tang and Rachel Zhou placed eighth in the girls’ 11-12 200 medley (2:18.95).

In the girls’ relays; Melinda Tang, Jackie Ngu, Rachel Zhou and Kara Lydzinski placed sixth in the 11-12 200 free (2:03.06); Shawnee Gundry, Anna Marshall, Serena Deardorff and Megan Lydzinski achieved a sixth place sectional time in the 15&over 400 medley (4:35.05); Megan Lydzinski, Shawnee Gundry, Jennifer Enos and Serena Deardorff placed seventh and achieved a sectional time in the 400 free (4:09.56).

In the boys’ relays: Harun Filipovic, Colburn Yu, Addison Hebert and Dave Pennenga achieved a fourth place sectional time in the 15& over 400 medley (4:13.28); Dave Pennenga, Harun Filipovic, Jeffrey Chan and Addison Hebert achieved a seventh place sectional time in the 15& over 400 free (3:50.18).

X-Cel Swimming is a USA Swimming team founded in 1995.  The program is led by Head Coach Lucy (SiPei) Le, five time Chinese National Champion and former Olympic Team Member. X-Cel provides a comprehensive youth swimming program for all levels of competitive swimming, from novice to National level athlete. X-Cel's focused workouts with trained, qualified coaches give each swimmer the opportunity to achieve his or her highest potential. Each swimmer develops physically, emotionally and mentally, schooled in the values of good sportsmanship and teamwork. X-Cel’s program is based at Princeton University’s state of the art DeNunzio Pool. For more information on X-Cel, please visit our website: www.xcelswimming.org.