Blum Eyes YMCA National Fly Title in NC

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Ryan Blum and Sue Blum’s home pool, just one of the many in Chillicothe supporting the Chillicothe HS Swimmer. The Blum’s are representing the Ross County YMCA in the 100th YMCA Short Course National Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina.

When Chillicothe’s Ryan Blum finished 15th at the OHSAA Swim Meet in February, his time was good enough to qualify for the YMCA Short Course National Swim Meet being held at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in North Carolina.

Blum compete in the Boys 100 Butterfly, one of 175 vying to slip into the top 24 … and hopefully, the top eight.

Speaking with Litter Media by phone Monday, Sue Blum (Ryan’s mother/coach) said his national qualifying time was first recognized by former teammate Evan Siberell. “When Ryan was 15th in the event at the State Meet, Evan was with us and leaned over and said ‘That’s good enough for Nationals’.” Siberell just completed his sophomore season swimming for Shawnee State. He qualified for Nationals in 2020 and 2021.

Blum, a junior for the Chillicothe Cavaliers Swim Team, marked a time of 53.01 seconds at the State Meet. He’ll be in the pool for prelims Tuesday morning, aiming to make the cut for the finals in the afternoon. Blum will also be swimming time trials in the 50 Freestyle and 200 Backstroke.

About the Photo: Ryan Blum reacts to qualifying for the OHSAA State Meet. Photo courtesy Roger Blum

No matter his finish, the experience will be one to remember. It’s the 100th year for the YMCA Short Course Nationals and Blum will get to meet with Olympians Cullen Jones and Rowdy Gaines. Jones is a two-time Gold and Silver Medalist from the 2008 and 2012 Summer Games. Gaines’ is more noted for his TV color commentary of swimming events, but set ten world records during his days in the pool including three Gold Medals in the 1984 Olympics.

Blum says there are 1,240 swimmers competing in this week’s meet and 186 teams. There are also five swimmers from the Lancaster YMCA’s Stingrays competing. They include Logan Elm’s Lindsay Bright, Lancaster’s Will McMasters, Jack and Max Hensley and Canal Winchester’s Adam Moneypenny. They and Blum will be marching together in the Parade of Swimmers in the opening ceremony.