FULTON, NY – The Fulton YMCA Speed Demons swim team celebrated a successful season at its annual awards banquet at the Fulton Polish Home recently.
The 75 members of the team and their families enjoyed a summer fun-themed meal, accepted awards and honored its departing senior Chris Pridat.
Coach Dexter Hinman praised the team for placing 22 members in the YMCA State Meet held in March in Buffalo.
The 2012 States Team included Courtney Beckwith, Ross Gardner, Lacey Reich, Janelle Tallents, Kyle Buck, Andrew Distin, Justin Grower, Sage Hourihan, Zachary Perry, David Tallents, Miwa Burdic, Michael Mankiewicz, Jenna Ruzekowicz, Sarah Tallents, Camille Stevenson, Ean Stevenson, Mark Tallents, Jayda Borrow, Abigail Hinman, Rimma Mankiewicz, Jaden Patterson, and Christina Tallents.
The following awards were given at the banquet:
The Ippolito award was given to an outstanding E Boy swimmer, Jaden Patterson. The award was named in honor of the late father of a former swimmer.
The LeVea award was given to Jenna Ruzekowicz and Caleb Trepasso, named in honor of the late father of a Speed Demon family.
The Sportsmanship award is presented to swimmers who have gone above and beyond to cheer for and support their team. This year’s recipients were Sage Hourihan, Dakota Stoutenger, Kaitlyn Trudell, Camille Stevenson, Casey Jones, Tim McAfee, Adrianna Dodge, and Lacey Reich.
The Most Improved award is presented to swimmers who have shown growth this season in time, stroke or attitude. This year’s recipients were Trinity Mills, Alex Semchenko, Jesse Janes, Alisa Trudell, Airyona Croci, Mallory Curtis, Rimma Mankiewicz and Grant Marriner.
The Hardest Worker award is presented to swimmers who show strong work ethic and is an example for others. This year’s recipients were Abbey Zych, Grace Trepasso, Andrew Distin, Sarah Tallents, Koji Burdic, Luvlee Croci, Angel Croci and Caitlyn McAfee.
The Achievement Award is presented to swimmers who excel in their individual events. This year’s recipients were Michael Mankiewicz, Janelle Tallents, Jacob Strauss, David Tallents, Lane Rawls, Ean Stevenson, Abigail Hinman and Chris Pridat.
The Most Valuable swimmer award is presented to stand-out swimmers who are most valuable to the team and their age group. This year’s recipients were Kyle Buck, Justin Grower, Miwa Burdic, Courtney Beckwith, Mark Tallents, Griffin Marriner, Christina Tallents and Annabel Boyer.
The team’s top two honors are the Teammate and Coaches’ awards.
Ross Gardner won the Teammate award, in which every team member votes for the person who they feel has been the most outstanding teammate.
Anna Guernsey won the Coaches’ award, given to an outstanding team member by Head Coach Hinman and assistant coaches Daisy Ruiz and Sara Gilliland.
Anna was given the award because she is a natural leader who helps out with anything that is needed and encourages others to do the same.
She is always cheering on all teammates and stands out as a good role model.
The Fulton YMCA Speed Demons are a community-based swim team that emphasizes individual growth as part of a team.
Boys and girls ages 5 through 18 are eligible to join.
Prior experience is not needed.
Team members come from Fulton and surrounding communities such as Hannibal and Phoenix.
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