Female owned Reach Aquatics sends 6 to Junior National Swim Meet
Hoffman Estates-based REACH Aquatics will be sending six athletes to this years National Club Swim Association (NCSA) Junior National Spring Championship meet in Orlando Florida.
The meet will be held at the Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Center beginning on March 16th and concluding on Saturday March 20th.
Five of the six athletes were scheduled to compete at last years meet but just a few days before it was to begin, it was canceled due to COVID-19. The sixth athlete is Junior Ben Castro who is new to REACH this past summer.
"I have been privately coaching Ben for years and have enjoyed watching his success over the years. When he decided to come swim for us, I was thrilled" said Owner and Head Coach Monika Chiappetta.
Along with Ben, the rest of the Junior National team is Vince Chiappetta, Monika's son, who is a senior at Algonquin's Jacob's High School; Sam Keeley, a senior at Rolling Meadows; Lukas Sliferz, a senior at Rolling Meadows; Henry Gabriel, a senior at Palatine High School and Kevin Soltys, a senior at Prospect High School.
"To say these past 12 months have been challenging for our athletes, coaches and parents is an understatement," said Chiappetta. REACH, who is the feeder program to Conant High School has been practicing out of the Alfred Campanelli YMCA in Schaumburg since June. D211 hasn't allowed outside use of their facilities since March 13 2020.
"We are hopeful that we will be back in our pool soon. We, and every other USA Swimming Club has shown we can operate safely under the current regulations. The staff at Campanelli have been incredible to work with. The facility is clean, the staff are friendly and we have had just a great relationship" said Chiappetta. She went on to say that, "when this is all over, I hope the 'Y' would like to continue our relationship. I would like to think we have been respectful guests in their facility and they enjoyed having us!"
This meet attracts top athletes from around the nation. This year will be a little different then in years past says coach Chiappetta. With only 400 males and 400 females competing, it will be a much more intimate meet then the 1,200 plus athletes as in years past.
"To be able to attend this meet is just incredible. Allowing our athletes to compete among the best in the nation and showcase their talents is something we prepare for all season long," Chiappetta said. "The event is so well ran. The event organizers put so much time and effort into making it perfect for the athletes. You can just tell from the minute you enter the natatorium, there is something special that will take place there."
REACH would have had seven athletes participate but backstroke "ace" Madison Dohrn, elected to compete at the Winter Open in suburban Westmont at the new FMC natatorium. Madison is a junior at Schaumburg High School and a IHSA State medalist in the 100 back.
"Due to COVID, Madi was reluctant to travel and I completely respect, support and understand that. She will dominate her events that weekend and I am looking forward to getting updates from her and my coaching staff who will be accompanying her at this meet. She is a fierce competitor who is ready to crush it," Chiappetta said with a smile.
"We have a great group going to this meet and I truly expect big things from them. They are all prepared and chomping at the bit to compete at a meet of this caliber," said Chiappetta.
In addition to being one of the only female USA Swimming Club owners and head coaches in the state, Chiappetta is also the head coach for the Rolling Meadows Men and Women's swim teams. She has been the head coach for the Mustangs for 23 years.
"I truly love what I do. I love seeing the expression on an athletes face when they hit that goal they set for themselves whatever it may be. I also want to inspire our young ladies that they can balance a career and family and with hard work they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to!"