The YMCA Surge Okmulgee swim team, under the guidance of Coach Jamie Brandt, Angie Jones and Terry Dillsaver turned heads and set personal bests at the Summer YMCA State Championships on Aug. 9. Competing in a yards-format meet, these dedicated young athletes from Okmulgee showcased their talent, teamwork, and tenacity across a wide array of events. From podium finishes to valiant efforts in challenging races, every swimmer contributed to the team’s spirited performance. Here’s a celebration of each athlete’s individual and relay achievements, highlighting their placements and times.

— Shining Stars in the Younger Age Groups Starting with the youngest competitors, the 7-8 boys division featured standout efforts from Korbin Brandt and Lennox Kesler. Korbin Brandt, displaying remarkable perseverance for his age, competed in the 50 Fly where he finished with a time of 1:17.59, the 50 Back in 1:16.53 (6th place), the 50 Breast in 1:26.36, and the 50 Free in 1:06.16 (6th place). His consistent participation across multiple strokes highlights a bright future in the pool.

Lennox Kesler dominated several events, earning 1st place in the 50 Back with 55.89, 2nd in the 50 Breast at 1:21.41, 3rd in the 50 Free with 49.58, and 2nd in the 100 Free at 1:47.01. Kesler’s speed and technique made him a force to be reckoned with among the tiniest titans.

In the Girls 9-10 category, Lilly Eddings brought energy to every race. She placed 4th in the 50 Free with 44.73, 11th in the 50 Breast at 1:46.21, and 3rd in the 100 Free with 1:43.69 Eddings also contributed to the team’s B 200 Free Relay squad (with Anna Kesler, Savannah Putman and Cadence Slater), which finished 4th in 2:56.21Y.

For the Boys 9-10, Eastin Slape delivered impressive results, securing 5th in the 50 Back with 50.80, a time of 1:08.22 in the 50 Breast, 2nd in the 50 Free at 39.12, and 1st in the 100 Free with 1:27.64. Slape’s top finish in the longer freestyle event marks him as a rising endurance swimmer.

— Triumphs in the 11-12 Divisions The Girls 11-12 group was a powerhouse for YMCA Surge, led by Mya Paladin’s stellar all-around performance. Paladin claimed 1st in the 500 Free with 6:35.81, 1st in the 50 Fly at 35.18, 1st in the 50 Free with 29.50, and 2nd in the 100 IM at 1:22.70. She anchored the A 200 Medley Relay team (with Hiedi Marinelli, Kensie Brandt, and Bentlee Jones) to 1st place in 2:46.59Y and the A 200 Free Relay (with Bentlee Jones, Hiedi Marinelli, and Kensie Brandt) to another 1st at 2:21.35. Paladin’s dominance across distances and strokes earned her well-deserved applause.

Kensie Brandt excelled in multiple events, finishing 3rd in the 50 Back with 42.20, 2nd in the 50 Breast at 49.05, 3rd in the 100 IM with 1:31.90, and 2nd in the 100 Free at 1:17.78. She was a key member of both the winning A 200 Medley Relay (2:46.59) and A 200 Free Relay (2:21.35) teams.

Bentlee Jones contributed solidly, placing 5th in the 50 Fly with 50.28, 7th in the 50 Back at 45.92, 6th in the 50 Free with 37.38, and 5th in the 100 IM at 1:40.42. Jones helped propel the A 200 Medley Relay to 1st (2:46.59) and the A 200 Free Relay to 1st (2:21.35).

Hiedi Marinelli showed grit, earning 12th in the 50 Back with 49.14, 3rd in the 50 Breast at 49.62, 12th in the 50 Free with 40.03, and 8th in the 100 Free at 1:33.25 She was integral to the A 200 Medley Relay (1st, 2:46.59) and A 200 Free Relay (1st, 2:21.35).

Anna Kesler made her mark with 18th in the 50 Back at 53.60, 19th in the 50 Free with 43.46, and 10th in the 100 Free at 1:36.37. Kesler joined the B 200 Free Relay team for a 4th-place finish in 2:56.21.

Cadence Slater rounded out the group, placing 20th in the 50 Back with 58.24, 15th in the 50 Breast at 1:13.32, 17th in the 50 Free with 42.61, and 16th in the 100 Free at 1:47.07. She added to the B 200 Free Relay’s 4th place (2:56.21).

On the boys’ side, Luke Newton represented the 11-12 age group admirably, finishing 12th in the 50 Back with 1:01.46, 15th in the 50 Free at 53.98, and 10th in the 100 Free with 2:03.54 Newton’s enthusiasm promises more highlights ahead.

– Strong Showings in the 13-14 and 15-18 Categories In Girls 13-14, Charlotte Putman and Savannah Putman delivered consistent performances. Charlotte placed 5th in the 50 Free with 39.91, 5th in the 100 Back at 1:56.79, 6th in the 100 Free with 1:32.87, and 3rd in the 200 Free at 3:24.29. She also swam in the 15-18 A 200 Medley Relay (3rd, 2:54.64 with Kylie Brandt, Jlee Jones, and Anny Nunley) and A 200 Free Relay (3rd, 2:27.11 with Kylie Brandt, Jlee Jones, and Anny Nunley), bridging age groups with her versatility.

Savannah Putman earned 6th in the 50 Free with 40.19, 4th in the 100 Back at 1:51.89, 7th in the 100 Free with 1:33.73, and 6th in the 200 Free at 3:34.39. Her steady times reflect growing confidence.

Easton Kirk: 13th in 50 Free 35.48, 9th in 100 Breast 1:40.80, time in 200 IM 3:33.60, 8th in 200 Free 3:14.34. He also swam in the 15-18 A 200 Medley Relay (2nd, 3:06.37 with Tommy Putman, Nylen Gentry, Bryson Grogan) and A 200 Free Relay (2nd, 2:29.29 with Tommy Putman, Bryson Grogan, Nylen Gentry).

Bryson Grogan pushed through, finishing 15th in the 50 Free with 52.48, 6th in the 100 Back at 2:28.62, 12th in the 100 Free with 1:59.04, and 9th in the 200 Free at 4:29.77. Grogan was part of both the 15-18 A 200 Medley Relay (2nd, 3:06.37) and A 200 Free Relay (2nd, 2:29.29).

Moving to Girls 15-18, Anny Nunley impressed with 6th in the 50 Free at 32.94, 5th in the 100 Fly with 1:44.12, 6th in the 100 Free at 1:15.39, and 6th in the 200 Free with 3:06.28. She contributed to the A 200 Medley Relay (3rd, 2:54.64) and A 200 Free Relay (3rd, 2:27.11).

Kylie Brandt, a distance specialist, took 3rd in the 500 Free with 7:23.05, 7th in the 50 Free at 33.54, 8th in the 100 Back with 1:28.45, 4th in the 200 IM at 3:17.55. She swam on both the A 200 Medley Relay (3rd) and A 200 Free Relay (3rd).

Jlee Jones added depth, placing a time of 2:05.97 in the 100 Fly, 13th in the 100 Breast with 2:02.53, 13th in the 100 Free at 1:31.53, and 5th in the 200 IM with 4:09.25. Jones was on the A 200 Medley Relay (3rd) and A 200 Free Relay (3rd).

In Boys 15-18, Nylen Gentry led with 3rd in the 500 Free at 7:07.99, 11th in the 50 Free with 28.27, 10th in the 100 Free at 1:05.99, and 8th in the 200 Free with 2:33.90 He helped the A 200 Medley Relay to 2nd (3:06.37) and A 200 Free Relay to 2nd (2:29.29).

Tommy Putman rounded out the team, placing 4th in the 500 Free with 8:02.55, 17th in the 50 Free at 33.48, 8th in the 100 Back with 1:45.72, and 10th in the 200 Free at 2:57.71. Putman swam on both the A 200 Medley Relay (2nd) and A 200 Free Relay (2nd).

The coaches praised the team’s unity and growth, noting, “These swimmers poured their hearts into every lap, and their achievements reflect the hard work put in at practice.”

The YMCA Surge Okmulgee looks forward to building on this momentum for future competitions. Congratulations to all.