NORWICH —The 2026 Central New York (CNY) YMCA Swimming District Championship swim meet hosted, by the Norwich YMCA Dolphins, was one for the record books!

In all, 366 swimmers and their families, across seven teams, visited the Norwich YMCA for a 2-day swim meet that saw swimmers in five different age groups compete. Highlights occurred throughout the meet. Four District records were set with Norwich’s own Nora Diefenbacher taking out a 25-year-old record in the 9-10 Girls 50yard Backstroke. Fulton YMCA Speed Demon’s Carson Murray claimed the 50-yard Butterfly (44-year record) and 100-yard Freestyle (38-year record) for the 11-12 Boys age group with Auburn Stingray’s 13-14 Boys 200-yard Medley Relay team claiming the fourth record that was 32 years old.

Norwich Dolphins, as a team, posted impressive results with sixty-nine personal best times and 4 minutes 18 seconds worth of collective time drops! Two team records were set with Nora Diefenbacher breaking the girls 9-10 50-yard freestyle record with a 29.06 and the 50-yard Backstroke record with a 38.82. Both long standing 36 and 37-year-old records respectfully.

Norwich also crowned five CNY District Champions in 10 different events with Emma Harmyk in the 100-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle, and 25-yard backstroke for the 8&under girls. Nora Diefenbacher in the 50-yard Freestyle, 50-yard Backstroke, and 50-yard Breaststroke for the 9-10 Girls. Reigan Aikins in the 200-yard Freestyle for the 9-10 girls. Kate Hull in the 50-yard Backstroke for the 11-12 Girls and Maggie Williams in the 50-yard freestyle and 50-yard Breaststroke for the 11-12 girls age group.

Norwich posted two Championship relay teams in the 200-yard Medley Relay with Nora Diefenbacher, Kennedy Foulds, Reigan Aikins, and Adeline Vazquez and the 200-yard Freestyle Relay with Reigan Aikins, Adeline Vazquez, Kennedy Foulds, and Nora Diefenbacher.

Capping off the achievements for the Dolphins was the 9-10 Girls age group team consisting of Reigan Aikins, Mila Beltz, Kennedy Foulds, Laura Coye, Ellie Ryan, Adeline Vazquez, and Nora Diefenbacher clinched the District title as age group champions! This comes on the heels of an undefeated dual meet season and is the first age group championship title claimed for the Norwich Dolphins in over a decade!

“We have a fast pool. From our six-year-olds in our Mini-Dolphins program to our senior swimmers, there were so many amazing swims.” This event wouldn’t have been possible without the many parents, volunteers, and community help from our sponsors. On full display was the camaraderie from our own swimmers who showed up to volunteer and support their teammates in so many different ways. Whether it was hyping each other up behind the scenes in getting ready for their race; acting like big brothers and big sisters to younger teammates; or helping to label awards and run the concessions stand, the Norwich Dolphins Swim Team family really banded together to make this Championship meet a success. This was an incredible achievement for the team to be able to be big enough and strong enough to host this event. An indication that the competitive swimming tradition that started at the Norwich YMCA over 60 years ago, is alive and well.

The Norwich YMCA Dolphins give a huge thank you to all of the local businesses, volunteers, parents, and sponsors for stepping up and making this event a huge success. Go Dolphins!

-Information from the Norwich YMCA Dolphins