EVANSTON, IL. – Four McGaw YMCA Swim Team (MYST) swimmers competed in the 2023 YMCA National Long Course Championship, with several bringing home top finishes and team records. This prestigious competition was held in July in Greensboro, North Carolina, and brought together over 2,000 of the most talented young swimmers from across the nation.
With months of dedicated training, commitment, and teamwork, MYST was eager to showcase their skills and compete among 78 YMCA teams at the national level. Coached by Michael Fleming, the team demonstrated talent and perseverance at the meet, making them strong contenders in various swimming disciplines.
Rayburn Kohl brought home four Team Records and three Top 8 finishes in the 50-100-200 backstroke. He is also the first swimmer to achieve three Top 8 finishes in MYST history. Vanya Gojakovic accomplished five Team records and participated in three Finals events. Sylvia Deliduka and Finch Shewfelt also competed in the 50 and 100 freestyle and fly, respectively.
The YMCA National Long Course Championship is not just about winning; it emphasizes the Y’s core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring. The event provides an opportunity for young athletes to build character, sportsmanship, and lasting friendships while representing their respective YMCAs and communities with pride.
“YMCA Nationals always does a great job of balancing a high level of competition with a fun, encouraging environment. I’m proud of our swimmers and the way they swam this past week,” said Fleming. He mentioned that the meet can be overwhelming, especially since most of the MYST swimmers competing were participating for the first time. “All of them are young and will have the opportunity to compete again. I can’t wait to see them head back to Greensboro next year.”
MYST’s participation in the championship meet is made possible by the unwavering support of the community, parents, donors, and volunteers who have contributed their time and resources to help these young athletes reach their full potential.
Registration to join MYST is open for the 2023-2024 school year. For more information and to register, visit the MYST website.