Four local swimmers will compete at the Ohio Junior Olympics long course championship meet July 19-22 in Oxford, Ohio, at Miami University.

They will represent the Lima Y USA Swimming team, and the Putnam County USA Swimming Team. All four swimmers are students in the Bluffton school district.

Jackson Bowlus, from the Lima Y USA Swimming Team, qualified in five events in the boys 10 and under age group. Bowlus will swim in the 50 meter freestyle, backstroke and butterfly and then in the 100 meter backstroke and the 100 meter freestyle. Jackson is the son of Jeff and Robin Bowlus of Lima.

June Essinger, from the Lima Y USA Swimming Team, qualified in the girls 10 and under 100 meter butterfly. June is the daughter of Dave and Alice Essinger of Bluffton.

The Lima Y USA Swimming Team is coached by April Dorman and Jeff Bowlus.

Jenna Downey, from the Putnam County USA Swimming Team, qualified in the girls 10 and under 50 meter backstroke. She is the daughter of Tom and Anne Downey of Bluffton.

Riley Verb, from the Putnam County USA Swimming Team, qualified in the boys 13-14 100 meter breaststroke. He is the son of Bob and Melissa Verb of Bluffton.

The Putnam County USA Swimming team is coached by Breanne Schroeder.
*Photo: Riley Verb, Jackson Bowlus, Jenna Downey, June Essinger