One of the biggest and most successful youth swimming programs in the state of Connecticut has been the Valley Shore YMCA Marlins swimming team. Many of its athletes have achieved big time state-wide and even regional notoriety and recognition, while taking in the true beauty and overall benefits of team sports.

The Valley Marlins are one of the top USA Swimming competitive age group programs in the region, with a high percentage of its swimmers going on to higher levels of competition. The swim team is comprised of boys and girls, ranging in age from 6 to 18. The towns these competitors hail from include Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Killingworth, Haddam, Ivoryton, Essex, Chester, Deep River, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Old Lyme, Niantic, Waterford, and Groton.

The program is designed to be rewarding for all levels of swimmers—running the gamut of backgrounds from those new to swimming, to swimmers who consistently place at the top of their age groups in competitive swimming events.

The 65-athlete squad is currently in the middle of its short course campaign, which began on Sept. 11 and concludes on Friday, Feb. 23. Head Coach Teddy Weeks explained that while they are instilled with several intangibles and life skills through the program, the swimmers additionally come away with the lesson that passion in a craft drives prominence.

“Along with learning competitive swimming skills, being a Marlin exposes children to self-discipline, respect, loyalty, good sportsmanship, and fun,” said Weeks. “It takes hard work to be a good competitor, but to be successful, you have to enjoy what you are doing. Our goals for the group are to make lifelong friends, and enjoy the journey that goes with hard work.”

The Marlins have seen a steady uptick in overall interest in not only membership, but also those same members following through and showing up to the pool. The youngsters have certainly gotten out what they have put into it, by yielding new high water marks on the clock.

“This season, we seem to have a large number of committed athletes, and a higher participation rate at practice and at swim meets,” said Weeks. “Everyone this season has gotten a personal best time, by working hard on improving proper technique, and having a positive attitude.”

As is the case for the CIAC high school swimming seasons, the Marlins are utilizing regular season meets against surrounding YMCAs across the Connecticut Shoreline to help solidify postseason standing and participation.

“We have about two key swim meets each month that prepare us for the postseason championships. This month, we will be at the Branford YMCA and the Westport YMCA,” said Weeks. “In February, we will be at the Cheshire YMCA and then the Valley Shore YMCA for a home meet. During the month of March, we will have a series of postseason championships for athletes that have swum the qualifying times required.”

Last year, a total of a dozen Marlins qualified for the New England Championships with Luccienne Martino of Old Saybrook, Emily Albright (Ivoryton), Old Saybrook’s Kyle Lee, Grace Valle (Old Saybrook), Grace McDonald (of Waterford), Gus Van Berkel and Vicky Van Berkel (Ivoryton), Lucca Giordano (Essex), Ella Beermunder (Clinton), Madison Schang (Madison), Lillian Miller (Madison), and Claire Johnson (Deep River).

They also hold a girl in Emma Scherber of Chester this season, who made it onto the CT Swimming Top 16 list. The accolades come with little surprise to Weeks, who noted that a newer crop of athletes has really taken the reins, and they maintain a strong optimism around the team.

“This season, we definitely have come together to support one another, while having an absolute blast,” said Weeks. “We have a large group of new swimmers that have blown us out of the water with positive attitudes and effort. We are having a great year, and I look forward to continuing to watch this team swim fast, make friends, and have fun.”