WRAT National Team Competes at Championships

Eleven members of the Westport Weston Family YMCA Water Rat Swim Team are attending the 2015 YMCA Short Course National Swimming and Diving Championships at the Greensboro Aquatics Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Senior swimmers are accompanied by Head Coach Ellen Johnston and Assistant Coach Frisk Driscoll.

Twelve Water Rat swimmer qualified this year for this prestigious meet, including Bryce Keblish, Tommy Gannon, Michael Deluca, Daniel Williams, Justin Summers, North Woods, Alex Rigione, John Whiteside, Willow Woods, Sarah Grinalds, Aileen Coyne and Ethan Hunter, who is not attending.

YMCA Nationals, which is for swimmers aged 12 to 21, starts Monday, March 30, with the swimming of the 1,000-yard Freestyle. The first even will be followed by a meet-and-greet with U.S. Olympians Ryan Lochte and Rowdy Gaines.  The competition continues through Friday, April 3.  Click here or more information and results.

The Water Rats sent 11 swimmers to the 2014 YMCA Nationals  where they finished 11th out of 75 teams, with the Men’s Team placing 6th.

“The swimmers are excited for some great swimming this year, and are looking forward to successful meet,” said Coach Ellen, as the team gathered at the YMCA’s Bedford Family Center to embark on their travels.

Rookie “Nat Rats” North Woods, Willow Woods, Aileen Coyne and Alex Rigione left Westport today wearing the team’s traditional pink bunny ears. (YMCA Nationals are always held around Easter.) Traditional requires the newbies to wear the bunny ears until they check-in to their hotel in Greensboro.

Go WRATs!