The Vernon Hills-based Central Lake YMCA Turtles Swim Team completed its summer season in top form by finishing in first place at the Northern Illinois Swim Conference (NISC) Division C championship meet in Hawthorn Woods. A total of six teams from Lake and Cook counties participated in the July 25 finals.
The Turtles, comprised of 54 swimmers ages 5 to 18, won 20 individual events and placed in the top three in all their relays en route to the team’s first-place finish. In addition, Head Coach Maureen Rancourt notes that four Turtles achieved significant improvements in their individual times at the championship meet. They are: Sam Halloway, 13, of Libertyville in 50-yard butterfly; Christopher Randall, 10, of Vernon Hills in 50-yard backstroke; Trevor Halloway, 15, of Libertyville in 100-yard butterfly; and Madelyn Goodman, 10, of Lindenhurst in 100-yard freestyle.
According to Rancourt, her team’s attitude and support from the parents were key factors in achieving this success. “It’s amazing to have so many swimmers – with equal numbers of boys and girls – participate,” she says. “All our team members really wanted to compete this season and in this championship finale.”
Following a brief respite, the Turtles will begin preparing for their next challenge. Registration for the fall season begins in late August with competition getting underway in early October.
The Lake County Family YMCA swim program, which includes the Turtles and the Waukegan-based Seahorses competitive teams, is well-rounded in that it also includes fund raising, volunteering and social responsibility development. For more information, visit www.ymcalakecounty.org.
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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 and Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan. To learn more, visit www.ymcalakecounty.org
