Congrats Coach Kate!

We’re not usually in the habit of patting ourselves on the back, but this week’s news is too good for us not to brag a little. On Wednesday, July 8th, the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) put out their top 50 coaches of the year (2021) list. Our very own Coach Kate made the list for a second year in a row and is the only Illinois coach listed! No doubt, the fact that our 9-12 year old program is ranked 6th in the country plays a role, but this accolade is well deserved no matter what. Coach Kate plays a major role on our team, leading the Age Group program (everyone 14&under in groups Platinum and below), creating schedules, writing practices, communicating with parents and everything in between. She is a force to be reckoned with!

Our 9-12 program went from 43rd last year to 6th (6th!!) this year and Coach Kate wasn’t alone in making that happen. Coach Alex and Coach Jeff DB were there every step of the way to make sure swimmers are progressing properly from the very beginner (Developmental) to the most advanced level of our age group program (Platinum). All three coaches have a hand in these groups and continue to make sure that each swimmer feels successful on our team. 

Several of our age group swimmers (12&under) are ranked top 20 nationally. Their tremendous hard work has helped lift the team to 6th place and they include:

Devon Bone: 200FR LCM(15th), 400FR LCM(20th)

Chrissy Furlow: 100BR LCM(11th)

Addy Koenig-Song: 100FL SCY(10th), 50FL SCY(19th)

Grace Koenig-Song: 200FR SCY (1st), 50BR SCY (1st), 50FL SCY (1st), 100FL SCY (1st), 100IM SCY (1st), 200IM SCY (1st), 50FR LCM (1st), 100FR LCM (1st), 200FR LCM (1st), 100BR LCM (1st), 100FL LCM (1st), 200IM LCM (1st), 50FR SCY (2nd), 100BR SCY (3rd), 50BK SCY (4th), 100FR SCY (6th)

Gabby McCracken: 100FL LCM (7th), 50FL SCY (17th), 200FL LCM (18th)

Olivia Musick: 100BK LCM (4th), 100FR LCM (20th)

This age group recognition can only happen when we all work together and that means having a Head Coach (Alessio) who makes sure that we have pools to swim in (among the zillion other things he does), and Senior level coaches, Giacomo and Jeff F, helping along the way. Last month, we got to watch Carly Novelline compete at the Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha and she was just chosen to represent Team USA at the FINA World Cups in Berlin and Budapest. Carly started with WILD in 2012 when she was 8 years old and has been coached by everyone on staff. And she’s not the only one to achieve a high level of success on our team at the senior level. Many of our swimmers in the Jr. Wild/Wildcat groups attend high level meets, are chosen to go to select camps, are nationally ranked, go to trials every 4 years and swim in college. 

This goes to show that we don’t just create great swimmers at a young age, but we can continue that success as swimmers grow older and are ready to leave the Wildcat den. Every coach, parent and athlete plays a role on our team that makes us stronger and gives us the ability to see sustainable success. Our coaching staff is truly committed to every swimmer at every stage of their development and though we are having a real self-congratulatory moment, you won’t see us sitting back, relaxing just yet! Here’s to finishing off our Spring/Summer 2021 season with a bang as our swimmer’s ages 9-18 prepare for Age Group Champs, Senior State and USA Futures and Zones!