YMCA schedules summer swim meets

Euclid YMCA swim team members, who have been practicing twice a week, are looking forward to a series of Saturday afternoon summer swim meets beginning in June. Unfortunately, none of the meets will be held at the Euclid Y pool because it is only 20 yards in length. Most of the meets will involve competition against teams from other Greater Cleveland YMCA branches.

As they did during the winter, the Euclid youngsters will combine with swimmers from the Hillcrest Y to form a team. “On meet days, we may also get a few swimmers from the Geauga County Y,” notes Head Coach John Graves, who is aquatics director for both the Euclid and Hillcrest YMCAs.

At last report, the Euclid-Hillcrest Hurricanes squad had about 17 swimmers, including 10 new recruits who weren’t involved in the winter program. Team members representing the Euclid Y include: Salvion Neal, Gabby Cicerini, Carmen Cicerini, Jordan Logan, Krishawn McKinney, Taylor Lamar and Jamillah Sena.

Upcoming meets include an invitational event at 1 p.m. on June 25 at the Ridgewood Y in Parma. (Not all of the Euclid/Hillcrest swimmers will participate in that one.) Also on the summer schedule is a meet at the new French Creek YMCA in Avon July 2 at 4 p.m.

On July 23, the Hillcrest Y will host a meet with competitors coming from the Southeast, West Park and Lakewood branches. The league championship meet is slated for Aug. 6 at French Creek, with warm-ups beginning at 2 p.m.

Assisting Coach Graves during the Euclid team’s summer practice sessions are Rebecca Arko, a Euclid High senior, and Mustafa Lang, a lifeguard and highly regarded swim instructor at the Euclid YMCA.

Toni Bacon, who coached the Euclid Y swimmers this past winter, hasn’t been involved with the summer program due to other commitments. In recognition of her enthusiastic leadership during the winter swim team program, Coach Toni was selected to receive the Triangle Award as the Euclid YMCA’s Volunteer of the Year.

John Sheridan

Retired journalist. From 1963 to 1972, wrote for and edited the Euclid News-Journal, predecessor to the Sun-Journal. From 1972 to 2000, I was a writer and editor for Industry Week magazine. Also have worked for the Plain Dealer as a part-time sportswriter, covering high school sports. And I was a contributor to the previous Euclid Observer. I have lived in Euclid for almost my entire life. I am a graduate of St. Joseph High School and John Carroll University.

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Volume 2, Issue 4, Posted 3:48 PM, 06.02.2011