The State College Area YMCA AquaLions captured the CenKey Swim League title after the 2026 championship competition on Saturday and Sunday.
Hosted by the State College Y, the championships welcomed 501 youth swimmers from 10 teams across central Pennsylvania. The AquaLions, represented by 118 swimmers, emerged victorious with a team score of 2,783 to advance to the Pennsylvania YMCA District Championships on March 6-8 and State Championships on March 20-22.
Eastern Lycoming YMCA came in second with 2,604, followed by River Valley YMCA (1,416.50), Clearfield YMCA (1,129) and Clarion County YMCA (809.50).
“I’m incredibly proud of our AquaLions for capturing the CenKey Swim League Championships,” head coach Michael Blacksten said. “This meet was a testament to our swimmers’ dedication, teamwork, and resilience throughout the season. The energy on deck has been amazing, and we are excited to carry that momentum into PA YMCA Districts and PA YMCA States in March.”
It is the fifth CenKey title for the the AquaLions, who previously won the championship in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2022.
“I’m incredibly proud of our AquaLions for capturing the CenKey Swim League Championships,” head coach Michael Blacksten said. “This meet was a testament to our swimmers’ dedication, teamwork, and resilience throughout the season. The energy on deck has been amazing, and we are excited to carry that momentum into PA YMCA Districts and PA YMCA States in March.”
The AquaLions set seven records during the league championship meet
- Liam Burmeister – 9–10 Boys 200 IM (2:42.64), 50 Breast (38.57), 100 Breast (1:23.93)
- Gracin Valentine – 11–12 Girls 500 Free (5:56.62)
- Lucia Fernandez-Murillo – 13–14 Girls 1650 Free (21:36.13)
- Mariano Fernandez-Murillo – 13–14 Boys 1000 Free (11:17.89) • SCAY 9–10 Girls 200 Free Relay – 2:06.99
The team had 21 individual event champions on the weekend: Gracin Valentine, Leo Hutchinson, Kayleen Oziemblowsky, Liam Burmeister, Colby Dixson, Tris Harvey, Callie Dixson, Chris Roe, Ulric Leonard, Shelby Bowersox, Jack Wolfe, Emme Lago, Lucas Mercier, Connor Dixson, Emme Podgurski, Caylynn Dixson, Odin Leonard, Lucia Fernandez-Murillo, Elijah Mercier, Mackabrie Winter, and Mariano Fernandez-Murillo.
Five relay teams also earned victories: 8 & Under Boys 100 Free Relay, 9–10 Girls 200 Free Relay, 11–12 Boys 200 Free Relay, 13–14 Girls 200 Medley Relay and 13–14 Boys 200 Free Relay.
“The State College YMCA commends the team for their hard work, sportsmanship and commitment demonstrated by its swimmers and coaching staff,” the organization wrote in a release. “Their success reflects not only hours of training in the pool, but also a strong sense of teamwork and community.”
