The Simon Family JCC Swordfish swim team is in its first-ever winter season, having started practices on November 9 in preparation for virtual swim meets from December through February.
Jacob Gynan, the JCC swim coordinator, is the team’s head coach, with Leia Sabatini serving as assistant coach. Both are veteran coaches for the Swordfish summer swim teams.
The co-ed team has 11 members, ranging in age from seven years old to 18.
Since the team has had a schedule of virtual swim meets due to COVID-19, the Swordfish swimmers have had the opportunity to swim against JCC teams from across the country, such as in Westchester, N.Y., Kansas City, Missouri, Greenvale, N.Y., Savannah, Ga., Wilmington, Del., and Harrisburg, Pa.
The Swordfish have won four of their first six meets while setting 17 new individual team records in 10 different events.
The Swordfish conclude their season with a meet on February 23 against the JCC in Youngstown, Ohio.
The summer season of the Swordfish swim team hopes to start practice this May, concluding in late July.
Registration for the summer team will be open by early April. Contact the JCC front desk or see details at simonfamilyjcc.org.
– Tom Edwards