B.R. Ryall YMCA Swim Team Achieves Great Success
The B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County's Swim Team has just completed the 2013 - 2014 Short Course Yards season with much to celebrate. The Y's Head Swim Team Coach, Chris Flamion, reports the following results achieved by his team of boys and girls 6 - 18 years of age:
• First time since 2009, the team sweeps the YMCA Town and Country District Champions - Boy's, Girl's, and Combined.
• Illinois Swimming Age Group Championships - results include 23rd Overall and 11th Girl's
YMCA Illinois State Championships, Boy's, Girl's and Combined awarded 4th place. This was a significant improvement in performance as the team finished 14th overall last year.
• YMCA Nationals - the team placed 22nd for Men and 48th overall. This was the first time points were put on the board at Spring Nationals since 2009.
• USA Swimming Club Championships - team placement is currently 507th compared to last year's placement at 808th.
The YMCA Swim Team had multiple individual Y State Champions on deck this season as well. Swimmer Max St. George who also placed 3rd at Nationals joined the following swimmers with a Y State Champion title; Connie Zhang, Nick Mielke, Sydney Green, Jane Denenberg, Annabel Davis, Kate Morris - also setting a new ISI record, Logan Brown, Ellie Short, Sam Hall, Abby Rosenthal.
The swim team is coached by professionals that focus on stroke technique, performance training and race methodology. They also provide life-changing experiences as demonstrated by letters personally written by two swim team participants that are graduating from high school this May, and are continuing swimming careers at college this fall. "I would like to thank Chris Flamion for coaching me for the best four years of my life. I would also like to thank him for helping me find the perfect college to swim at next year, the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. One of my favorite quotes is that we may not have it all together, but together we have it all. As a team, we succeed in every aspect of swimming. Together we make an impact on each other's lives, said high school senior, Courtney Boak."
"When I started swimming I never knew 8 years later it would be such a huge part of my life. I would never have guessed that I would be swimming in college on a scholarship. I had no idea the decision my parents made in 4th grade to be on the swim team would change my life forever. Coach Dave was the first coach I ever had. From day one he saw my potential and never stopped believing in me since day one. Coach Katie is the ultimate swim mom. Whether you were kicking our rears in dry-land or cracking jokes with me on the side of the pool, you kept me going. The atmosphere of this team is love and family. I am so proud to be a part of such an amazing team, there's nothing I'll miss more than wearing BR Ryall yellow and blue. Thank you for the memories and some of the best years of my life, said high school senior, Meghan Beese."
Over 75 swimmers and their families will gather at Naperville Country Club for a team banquet this Saturday, April 26, to celebrate a very successful 2013-2014 Short Course Season. To learn more about the B.R. Ryall YMCA Swim Team, please visit www.brryall.com.
The Y is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization and leading nonprofit committed to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Supporting the Y means belonging to a movement that gives children, adults and families the opportunity to learn and grow, while making communities healthier and stronger.
For more information about the B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County, visit www.brryallymca.org or call 630.858.0100.
About the Y
The Y is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization. The B.R. Ryall YMCA of Northwestern DuPage County strengthens the community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children - regardless of age, income or background - to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. For more information, visit www.brryallymca.org.