Severn River Swim Club’s Athletes Enjoy Summer Success

The Severn River Swim Club made a splash during competition this summer, going 3-1 in four meets. Swimmers competed in the Greater Annapolis Swim League and the dive team was in the Central Maryland Dive League.

Both swimmers and members of the dive team reached new heights.

Tyler Moran, a rising junior at Severna Park High School, set team records in the 50-yard freestyle (23.23), 100-yard individual medley (57.01) and 50-yard backstroke (25.81).

“I wasn’t really focused on records,” said Moran, a year-round swimmer who made it to nationals. “It was swimming every day, usually long course, which we hadn’t swam in three to four years. … It was worth it. It went pretty well.”

Meets were virtual this year, meaning kids did them at their home pools and the teams submitted times.

On the dive team, Juliette Luers finished third in the league. Twice, she broke her own dive record, a team and pool record, finishing with a total score of 245.40 in six events.

“I was a gymnast most of my life and I found flipping and twisting pretty easy,” Luers said, explaining what drew her to the dive team.

Avery Seltzer, a fifth-grader at Oak Hill Elementary, got first place in the league championships for girls ages 9 to 10. She received first in every dual dive meet she participated in.

“I just like flipping my body,” Avery said. “I find it easy and fun. I like the feeling of flying in the air.”

Severn River had almost 200 swimmers on the team this year. The dive team had 50 kids. Typically, the dive team has 12.

“Not every kid chose to participate in all of the dive meets, but a lot of the kids had growth,” said Emily Seltzer, dive team manager.

Amy Miller served as swim team manager. The swim team was led by head coach Meghan Heil and assistant coaches Mike McTammany, Tyler Moran, Kelly List and Henry Wright.

Lures and another senior, Leah St. Lawrence, shared head coaching responsibilities for the dive team this year. They created a fun atmosphere for the younger competitors, making pancakes on Fridays and celebrating wins with doughnuts.

“We have a lot of kids who do competition year-round, so this is supposed to be more fun,” Emily Seltzer said. “It’s a good mental break.”

Brendan Para, who swam in the 13-14 age group, was recognized with the Mike McTammany Award in honor of the coach, who has been with Severn River Swim Club since 1987 (read the story on Brendan’s Student-Athlete of the Month recognition to learn more).

McTammany emphasized the value that the club has brought to its young athletes.

“It’s about self-improvement, learning new strokes and doing new tricks on the diving board, and building friendships that will last forever,” he said.