At AK Valley Swim League Championships, a chance for young swimmers to show off what they’ve learned
-
Aedan Smith, 17, swims the butterfly in the boys 200-meter medley relay for the South Butler County Pool Association swim league in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
John Hart, 15, swims the freestyle in the boys 200-meter medley relay for the South Butler County Pool Association swim league in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Penn Valley Athletic Club swimmers cheer on their teammates in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Jacob Ruediger, 16, swims the freestyle in the boys 200-meter medley relay for the Penn Valley Athletic Club swim league in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Greyson Emery, 7, swims the boys eight and under, 25-meter freestyle for the Penn Valley Athletic Club swim league in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Tobin Myers, 10, swims the boys nine and 10, 50-meter freestyle for the Zelienople Area Swim Club in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Tobin Myers, 10, swims the boys nine and 10, 50-meter freestyle for the Zelienople Area Swim Club in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Adrian Lavorini,17, cheers from the side in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Kyra Reinhart, 14, swims the girls 13-14, 50-meter freestyle for the Zelienople Area Swim Club in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Lyla Dimaio from the Belmont Aquatic Club swim team fist bumps Kyra Reinhart from the Zelienople Area Swim Club after completing the 50-meter freestyle in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Bryce Dryden coaches his Penn Valley Athletic Club swimmers from the side in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Talon Smith, 15, from the South Butler County Pool Association swim league competes in the in the boys 15-17, 50-meter backstroke in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Cat Nedzel, 6, swims in the girls eight and under, 25-meter breaststroke for the Zelienople Area Swim Club in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Grace Watson, 8, swims in the girls eight and under, 25-meter breaststroke for the Penn Valley Athletic Club in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Kaylee Ostrzeniec, 10, swims in the girls nine and 10, 50-meter breaststroke for the South Butler County Pool Association in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Ben Mason, 10, swims in the boys nine and 10, 50-meter breaststroke for the Penn Valley Athletic Club in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Adrian Lavorini, 17, swims in the boys 15-17, 50-meter breaststroke for the Penn Valley Athletic Club in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Elin Stukat Gren, 7, from Penn Valley Athletic Club swims in the girls eight and under 25-meter butterfly in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Grace Watson, 8, from Penn Valley Athletic Club swims in the girls eight and under 25-meter butterfly in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Lennox Gold, 7, from Penn Valley Athletic Club swims in the boys eight and under, 25-meter butterfly in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Adrian Lavorini, 17, swims in the boys 15-17, 50-meter butterfly for the Penn Valley Athletic Club in the AK Valley Swim League summer championship meet Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Penn Valley Athletic Club. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
PENN TWP. — The Alle-Kiski Valley Swim League is more than a relaxed summer swimming environment for swimmers who dive into more competitive pools throughout the year.
For younger swimmers, the recreational program offers an opportunity to dip their toes in and try a new sport — one Penn Valley coach Corrie Jones hopes they stick with.
“It’s just a good activity,” Jones said at the Alle-Kiski Valley Swim League Championship meet, held Sunday morning at Penn Valley Athletic Club. “We just want the kids to learn to like this sport and maybe, hopefully, continue to do it in the winter.”
Jones credited the team’s parents for their help with the league, which sports approximately 250 swimmers between the ages of 5 and 18. Planning begins a year ahead of time for the league, which begins in the second week of June.
Teams compete in five dual meets before the title meet, which included five other squads — Belmont, Sebco, Sylvan, Vandergrift and Zelienople.
The season is short, but it gives new parents and swimmers enough time to become familiar with the sport. Jones later reaches out with information for swimming through the Butler YMCA and other teams do the same with their local teams.
She’s been there to watch plenty of swimmers blossom.
“The most exciting part is when the kids first come to practice,” said Jones, who also coaches for the Butler YMCA. “I’m speaking personally for Penn Valley, but I’ve seen it throughout the season with other teams. When you have that 5- or 6-year-old that did not want to swim and then they swim their first race and they make the whole length for the first time, that’s a victory in itself.
“We had a few kids that wouldn’t even get in the water the first day, and they’re swimming in championships today.”
Each young swimmer cherishes the chance to be around friends. Their favorite part of being in the pool differs.
Lennox Gold, 7, remembers being nervous before his first race. He’s grown to like the meets and “doing the strokes and jumping into the water when it’s a hot day,” he said.
Ryan Matthews, 7, kept busy, as evidenced by a list written on her wrist reminding her of the events she was set to swim. Her family members took part in the same program, which she’s been in for two years. She enjoys the breaststroke most, while Grace Watson, 8, and Jacob Meskel, 7, prefer the butterfly stroke.
“My favorite part is winning,” Grace said.
Madeline Gleixner, 7, has fun being part of a team and cheering on her friends.
“I like to just dive in the water and just feel the coldness when it’s really hot out,” Madeline said.
For Elin Stukat Gren, 7, it’s diving off the block. She hopes to eventually compete at higher levels.
“Our youngest swimmer on Penn Valley is 5,” Jones said. “(If) he sticks with it, I’ll be with him for 13 years. And that’s what I like. I like varsity swimming, but the best part about this age group is you watch them grow up the whole time and you’re part of their life. ... That’s important to me.”
Jones said a parent told her she’s been in their child’s life the longest of any non-family member.
“When she said that to me, I was like, ‘This is pretty cool,’” Jones said. “They’re like my own kids.”
Editor’s note: This story will be updated later Sunday with results once they are submitted.
