Vernon Hills Y swim team prepares for new round of competition

Buoyed by its successes during the recently completed winter season, the Central Lake YMCA Turtles Swim Team is looking ahead to the summer season, which begins June 4 and has some openings for new members.

Head Coach Maureen Rancourt is proud of her team's most recent accomplishments. Highlights include qualifying 27 Turtles for the Chicago Metro YMCA District Championships in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., where nine advanced to the Illinois/Missouri Area Championships in Sycamore, Ill.

Hannah Yan of Buffalo Grove finished sixth in the 11- to 12-year-old 50-yard Butterfly event at the Girls' Area Championships on March 18.

“Our dedicated swimmers helped the team reach new competitive levels by continually setting and achieving goals,” Rancourt said.

“We're planning our biggest season, ever, this summer,” she adds. “We have more than 90 swimmers currently registered for the team with the possibility of topping 120 this summer.” The opportunities to learn more about the Turtles and get involved include a parents' meeting and a Summer Splash event both in May.

Plans for the summer season will be discussed during the parent's meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 14, at Central Lake YMCA, 700 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. It's open to the parents of team members as well those as those interested in registering their children, which can be done that night.

Summer Splash takes place at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 25, at the Central Lake Y. This event, held prior to each summer season, allows swimmers to be assigned the proper practice group while having some fun and getting to know each other. The evening begins with a mini swim meet and ends with a pot-luck dinner for swimmers and their families to enjoy as they become acquainted with the coaching staff. Parents can register their children for the team at Summer Splash, which is the deadline for doing so without paying higher late-registration fees.

In addition to the cost savings, Rancourt encourages parents to register early to assure their children a spot on the team. “We are close to reaching our maximum for the season and will not be able to take any swimmers beyond that,” she says. For more information, contact her at (847) 367-6797 or mrancourt@ymcalakecounty.org.

The Lake County Family YMCA swim program, which includes the Turtles and the Waukegan-based Seahorse competitive teams, is well-rounded in that it also includes fund raising, volunteering and social responsibility development. For more information, visit www.ymcalakecounty.org.

The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Chartered in 1912 as a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit, our association is comprised of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills, Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan and Early Head Start in Waukegan. To learn more, visit www.ymcalakecounty.org