Liberty High School swimmers, Robert Negron, John Buttillo, Jase Smith, and Chris Chambers will represent the Bethlehem Stars at YMCA Nationals this week in Greensboro, NC.

The four will compete in the 200 medley relay and the 200 free relay after qualifying for Nationals in the state meet which was held at Penn State University.

In addition, Negron will compete in the 50 free, 100 free, and the 100 fly.

“The 50 free is my favorite,” Negron said. “It’s all about how I feel that day. I won’t have any fatigue, really, because I have one event each day. I will go for bettering my time, but I know it will be fun, and I know I have the ability to make the final.”

In the 200 medley relay, Negron will swim the fly, Smith, the backstroke, Chambers, the breaststroke, and Buttillo, the free.

At the YMCA state meet, the four made the cut for Nationals on the last day of competition.

“I knew I had to set the tone for the race, and I knew I was up against some tough guys,” said Smith, who swam first.

Chambers was second.

“The breaststroke is more moving as technically as you can,” Chambers said. “It’s an intricate stroke, and there are lots of rules on it. You do what you need to push yourself faster.”

When it was Negron’s turn, the four were around fourth place.

“I was just trying to give John a good lead, and winning would mean we got to nationals,” said Negron.

Buttillo was the anchor.

“I never really get nervous for anything,” Buttillo said. “When I jumped in the pool, I didn’t want to hold anything back. I took one breath in the middle, saw it was close, and gave him a run for his money.”

Smith was the first to know they had qualified for Nationals as the scoreboard was broken that day.

“Jase had gone over to [coaches] Jeff [Matyus] and Reik [Foust], and I saw Jeff fist pump, and I knew we made it,” said Negron.

Buttillo saw the YMCA Bethlehem Stars parents cheering.

“I saw all the Y parents going nuts,” Buttillo said. “It was an amazing feeling.”

Liberty freshman, Jake Evert, also qualified for Nationals in the 50 free, but will not compete this year.

In addition to Matyus and Foust, the Bethlehem Stars are coached by Evan Kocon and Diana Kocon.