McMurray swimmer posts best times at Junior Nationals
Abby Hay of McMurray, who swims for the Lake Erie Silver Dolphins club and the Hawken School in Cleveland, swam personal best times during the Junior Nationals East Swimming Championships in Knoxville, Tenn.
Hay medaled with a fourth-place finish in the 400 IM (4:12.60) and with a fifth-place showing in the 200 fly (1:58.86). She also earned 14th in the 200 IM (2:02.07) and 31st in the 100 fly (54.96). Both her 400 IM and her 200 fly times were new association and team records.
Also competing at the meet and earning personal best times were Upper St. Clair residents and Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics team members Josh Matheny, Jack Fitzpatrick, Brandon Novak and Nico Butera.
Matheny swam to a ninth-place finish in the 100 breast (54.81) and a 13th-place showing in the 200 breast (2:00.05), along with swimming the 200 IM.
Fitzpatrick earned best times in the 200 back (1:49.25) and 400 IM (3:59.10). He also competed in the 100 back and 200 IM.
Matheny and Fitzpatrick teamed with Novak and Butera to finish in 34th in the 200 Medley Relay (1:34.49) and 50th in the 400 Medley Relay (3:27.89).
The Junior National East Swimming Championships attract many of the best 18 and younger swimmers from the Eastern United States. Swimmers, such as Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Katie Ledecky and Leah Smith, have competed in past Junior National championships prior to their Olympic successes.