The Grand Traverse YMCA Breakers Swim Team has been around for 40 years, with swimmers across the county competing together in relays and individually. Recently, swimmers traveled to compete at the YMCA State Championships (Y-States), many finishing well in their events.

  Senior Isaac Hintz has been swimming for about six years now, competing in many different events throughout the years. Now, Hintz mainly competes in freestyle and butterfly events.

  “I got a best time in the 100 freestyle, which is pretty cool,” Hintz said. “That’s the one I’m really proud of. I won a few events and it went really well.”

  Although Hintz got a personal record at Y-States for the 100 freestyle, it was not easy.

  “I swam the 100 free twice because I didn’t get the time I wanted on the first one, but I got the opportunity to swim it again. So I swam it again and I got the time and I was pretty hyped,” Hintz said.

  Freshman Kira Adams has been swimming for five years, on both the YMCA Breakers and the Tritons Swim and Dive team. Adams also competed at Y-States.

  “I did pretty well [at Y-States]. I [finished], I’d say 75 percent of my events, the way I wanted to. I ended up placing really well,” Adams said. “The first day I felt really good about all of [my events] and it was just a really good experience.”

  Now that Y-States is over, some swimmers are preparing for another big meet: the Ultra Championship Meet, also known as U.S. States to swimmers.

  “Y-States is a lot slower. I went there and kinda dominated everyone. But at U.S. States there’s gonna be a lot more competition. It’s a lot more scary,” Hintz said.

  Hintz swam the 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly, and a few relays. U.S. States occurred on March 18 through March 20.