McCook 'Y' swim team caps successful summer season

McCook swim team members celebrated the end of the 2024 summer season with a lot of food, plus ribbons and medals, including high-point winners Amanda Bennet and Lily Spencer (below).

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McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook swim team had a successful summer season with numerous meets across the state. And after taking off a few months, they are preparing for the winter season, kicking off soon at the McCook YMCA.

The summer swim team offered multiple options for its swimmers, from just practicing with the team at the McCook YMCA over the summer to organized meets in June and July as part of the Plains Tsunami League.

And a few McCook swimmers took part in the Cornhusker State Games swim meet in July in Fremont.

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The Plains Tsunami League consists of team from across middle and southwestern Nebraska, northwest Kansas and northeast Colorado.

It is open to all ages from those who can just make it across the pool to “masters” age groups.

The league wrapped up with the championship meet in Imperial with several McCook swimmers bringing home medals.

Lily Spencer and Amanda Bennett claiming high-point awards for the McCook team by placing in the top spots for all their events.

Several McCook High School swimmers took to the Fremont YMCA pool in July to face other swimmers from across Nebraska, returning home with individual and relay medals for their efforts and prepare for the upcoming high school season this winter.

While the McCook swimmers took a break after the summer season, the YMCA winter youth swim season begins Sept. 23, led by Head Coach Jennifer Rodewald and assistants Erik Graff and TJ Renner.

The YMCA swim team is open to anyone who can swim across the pool unassisted with good form through high school age. McCook swim team is also open to McCook residents, as well as surrounding communities.

Swim team is not a replacement for swim lessons, which are also available at the YMCA throughout the year.

Swim team practices are Mondays, 6-7:30 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. While swimmers are asked to attend as many practices as possible, attendance at all practices is not required.

And participation in swim meets in McCook and across Nebraska is encouraged but also not mandatory.

The cost for the season is $125 per swimmer.

Registration is now open on the McCook YMCA website or at the YMCA front desk.

For more information, visit the McCook YMCA website, mccookymca.org, or call the YMCA at 308.340.6228.