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YMCA of Central Stark County

To put Christian Principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

with DREAMS, DEDICATION & DETERMINATION

YOU WIN ALL the TIME!

“So many people along the way, whatever it is you aspire to do, will tell you it can’t be done. But all it takes is imagination. You dream. You plan. You reach. There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, with belief, with confidence and trust in yourself and those around you, there are no limits.” – Michael Phelps

Picture of Tommy

That quote truly describes one of our swimmers. Just 4 years ago Tommy could barely swim 25 yards but he had a dream, a goal and he had the dedication to work towards that goal.

As the Aquatics Director, I must say, I was skeptical to put him on our team but after talking with Tommy’s mom, we decided to try it out and see how it went. With hard work and dedication Tommy is now one of the best swimmers on the Meyers Lake Team. In fact he went to the Great Lake Zone Swim Meet and placed 7th overall in the 50 back and 13th in the 100 back, breaking not only his personal record but the team record as well. This meet encompasses teams from 5 states so qualifying for the meet is not an easy feat.

Another goal, Tommy has set is to reach Nationals before he graduates High School and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he will continue to work hard to meet that goal.

In all honesty, it has been great watching him work hard with the coaches as they help him perfect his stroke and other swimming skills. But what also impresses me is the relationship that Tommy has established with the coaches and teammates. More often we think of the health benefits of swimming that sometimes we overlook that in the process we are also teaching hard work, dedication, being coachable, teamwork and goal setting which are all valuable attributes.

In the end the attributes are the outcome and it is my hope that we encourage our swimmers to dream big, set goals, and go for it!