YMCA swimmers collect Pennsylvania titles

At just 10 and 12 years old, respectively, Emily Zimcosky and Ian DiCarlo are well on their way to having very successful swimming careers after winning their first state competitions as members of the Laurel Highlands Regional YMCA team.

Zimcosky won the 100 individual medley and 100 freestyle in her age group. DiCarlo finished first in the 200 individual medley and 200 freestyle.

Zimcosky has been swimming and competing since she was 4 -- first for the Uniontown and Greensburg YMCAs and, for the past year, with the Laurel Highlands Regional YMCA.

"I love swimming because I like reaching the goals that I set," she said. "It makes me feel like I can do anything I put my head to."

And to reach those goals, the 10-year-old practices two hours a day, six days a week.

"Emily is a great competitor and has a great work ethic," said her coach, who's named, coincidentally, Laurel Highlands. "She races her heart out every single time she dives in, and she loves the sport, which is key because it is a hard sport that requires a lot of time."

When Zimcosky won her two state competitions, she was shocked but excited.

"I was really proud of myself because I felt I worked hard to win, which was my goal," she said. "My sister (16-year-old Kelsey Zimcosky) won states when she was 10, and it kind of inspired me."

Next year, her goal is to at least place at states in the 200 individual medley.

DiCarlo began swimming when he was 6 because his friends were, and he wanted to hang out with them.

"When I was 9, I really started taking it seriously and I made it to districts and then states on a relay team," he said.

"Ian has a lot of talent and is also a great competitor because he is not afraid of his competition, and he is very focused when he races," Highlands said. "He has also learned this year the amount of work this sport takes, and I can see him pushing more and more each practice."

DiCarlo's goal at states was to win the 200 freestyle because he had won it at districts, but he thought it would be a little harder to win the 200 individual medley because he only took second in that event at districts.

"The hardest thing with this sport is probably the practices because they're so tough, but they make you really good," he said. "The best part is the competitions, because it's so rewarding when you see all the practices pay off."

Highlands said it can be hard for children at this age to dedicate the time needed to become good at the sport, but there are swimmers as young 6 on her team who are having success.

"On our team, we teach that at age 11-12 they need to make the decision to dedicate themselves to this sport," Highlands said. "Emily has older siblings, so she knows the time and effort that is needed to be so successful, and Ian had a breakout season.

"As this season went on and he increased his work he started to see success, so it just trickled down and he kept working harder and seeing success. When they see the success, it's easy to dedicate themselves."