DANVILLE — The Danville Family YMCA’s swim team will be heading to the Short Course State Invitational in St. John, Ind., March 8-10 with a record 24 swimmers attending.
Competing in 56 individual events and 18 different relay events, this is the largest group and number of events in Coach Joyce Bruett’s recent history at the Y.
“Over the past 10 years our championship teams for both our district meet and state have increased, showing such growth in our athletes,” Bruett said.
With three coaches and 38 swimmers on the year-round team, the Danville Y Dolphins Swim Team is also one of the top teams at the Illinois state level, regularly bringing home multiple team and age group banners (trophies) which are on display at the Y pool.
Swimmers range in age from 5 – 21 years old, and in ability level from beginner to national level.
“Last year was our first year taking a swimmer to the Short Course National Meet in Greensboro, North Carolina,” Bruett said. “Alexander Faulkner, a student at Danville High School, made his 100 Freestyle national time last year during his high school sectional meet in Urbana.”
He has requalified this year and Charles Medlin, who attends Schlarman Academy and qualified in 50 Freestyle and 100 Butterfly, will be joining Alex this year at the weeklong meet.
Most of the swimmers are looking forward to their short break between winter and summer seasons after the state meet this weekend.
Summer swim team will start May 13 with practices starting at 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
More information about the Danville YMCA Dolphins swim team can be found on the Danville Family YMCA’s website at danvilleymca.org or by contacting Coach Bruett at jbruett@danvilleymca.org.