GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – Upshur County resident Cadence Vincent is representing Buckhannon well on the national stage at the 2019 YMCA National Short Course.

In fact, one might say her first race on Wednesday went swimmingly.

On Wednesday – Cadence’s first day of competition at the 2019 YMCA National Short Course Championship – 14-year-old Cadence moved from her prior ranking in about 150th place to 122nd place in the 100-yard backstroke, while qualifying for next year’s competition.

Cadence glided to the qualification with an official time of 59.12 seconds.

There were more than 180 swimmers competing in the 100-yard backstroke Wednesday. Cadence said she enjoyed her first day of competition.

“I was really excited to swim my first race of the week,” Cadence said. “Now that my first race is over, I’m more focused and ready to swim my next two races.”

The meet, held in Greensboro, North Carolina, attracts more than 1,400 swimmers from across the United States. Cadence will compete in two more events this week – one on Thursday and one on Friday – the 100-yard freestyle and the 50-yard freestyle.

Cadence has been a member of the Elkins/Randolph County YMCA RAYS team since she was 8 years old.

She qualified for the national competition with her times at the 2019 YMCA Great Lake Zone Championship in Ohio in March. She is the daughter of Eddie and Tracey Vincent of Buckhannon.

Coach John Schmidt said he is very proud of Cadence’s performance thus far.

“She swam well on the big stage today,” Schmidt said. “I can’t wait to see her swim in the 50 and 100 freestyle Thursday and Friday.”

Coach Brendan Cain echoed Schmidt’s remarks.

“I was very pleased with how she swam today,” Cain said. “She has trained long and hard for this, and I’m glad to see the hard work finally pay off for her.”

Keep up with Cadence on My Buckhannon as she swims in her next two competitions. The 2019 YMCA National Short Course Championship can be live streamed at ymca.ymcaswimminganddiving.org.