Two of Upper Perkiomen YMCA's swim team's three seniors hope to make waves at the National Long Course Championship Meet later this month. Nolan

Nolan McCloskey competes in the 50-yard butterfly at the Upper Perkiomen YMCA.

McCloskey and Madelyn Abel both hope to reach the medal stand.

            Both recent Upper Perkiomen High School graduates should have multiple opportunities. McCloskey expects to compete in seven races, while Abel has committed to six, according to head coach Owen Miller.

            McCloskey's best chance to reach the medal stand will likely occur in the 200-yard backstroke. He excelled in the race as an eight-year-old, according to the coach.

            "It's his bread and butter," Miller said.

            Abel should be competitive in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle races, said the coach. Miller described her kick as "second to none."

            Four other swimmers will compete in the event, scheduled for July 29 through

Madelyn Abel checks her time after finishing the 50-yard freestyle race over the weekend.

Aug 2, at the Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training Center in Ocala, Fla. Jackson Kelly, Rachael Minnerly and Amy Rohl qualified in three events. Logan Abel will compete in two races.

            McCloskey – who will continue his career at Rowan University – qualified for nationals in the 100 free, 200 free, 200 backstroke, 50 backstroke, 400 medley, 400 free, 100 back, 50 free and 200 MR. He will compete in 100 free, 200 backstroke, 50 backstroke, 400 medley relay, 100 backstroke, 50 free and the 200 medley relay.

            According to the coach, McCloskey's long arms and short legs – combined with refined technique – allow him to excel in the backstroke. Miller described the swimmer as impressive to watch.

            Abel – who will swim for George Mason University – qualified for nationals in the 200 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 200 free, 100 butterfly, 400 Individual Medley, 50 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, 50 freestyle, 50 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley. Her best chance to earn a medal should come in the 100 freestyle, according to Miller.

            "I have not met a more dedicated athlete at this level," the coach said.

            The Otters head into this weekend's Middle Atlantic Long Course Junior Championship on a high note after sweeping a tri-meet last week with Boyertown and York. The team rolled to a 513-142 victory over the York YMCA and defeated Boyertown 448-308 on Saturday, July 12.

            McCloskey and Abel each posted three first-place finishes in the 15-and-over division during the tri-meet. McCloskey won the 50-yard butterfly (26.08 seconds). They teamed with Amy Rohl and Logan Abel to win the mixed 200 medley relay in 1:50.44.

            Madelyn Abel won the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 25.34 seconds. She also teamed with Charlotte Forte, Amy Rohl and Sarah Rohl to win the 200 yard freestyle relay (1:46.86).

            Two days earlier, Upper Perk rolled to a 442-397 win over Phoenixville. McCloskey and Abel each earned three first-place finishes. The same mixed 200 medley relay finished first with a time of 1:49.  McCloskey won the 50 backstroke with a time of 27.15 seconds.  He also teamed with Jackson Kelly, Logan Abel and Brennan Rooney to finish first with 1:35.95.

            Madelyn Abel won the 50-yard butterfly with a time of 1:27.32. She also finished first in the 200 freestyle relay with Ellianna Smith, Sarah Rohl and Amy Rohl (1:46.44). Amy Rohl won the 50 breaststroke (35.29 seconds).

            Eight swimmers have qualified for the junior championships, scheduled for July 17-20 at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology in Sewell, N.J.

            They include 14-year-olds Ryan Minnerly (50-yard free, 400 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 freestyle) and Eve Lynn Smith (100 freestyle and 200 breaststroke); 10-year-olds Chloe Brotosky (50 freestyle and 100 freestyle), Thomas Romano (100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 50 freestyle and 50 back backstroke), Zachary Stoffa (100 backstroke, 50 freestyle and 50 backstroke), Matthew Teslia (100 freestyle, 50 breaststroke, 200 individual medley, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 50 freestyle and 400 freestyle) and Izabel Ward (100 freestyle, 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly) and 8-year-old Isaac Allison (50 freestyle).