Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

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Register Today for JETS Swim Team Spring Clinics

The Joliet Y JETS swim team offers a range of practice groups, from beginner to advanced, based on age, skill, speed and commitment. To be placed on the beginning level of the team, swimmers must be able to swim freestyle for one length of the pool (25 yards) without stopping while demonstrating the ability to comfortably swim at the surface with arms reaching forward over the water, their face in the water, and taking breaths to the side. They must also swim 25 yards of backstroke without stopping, showing they are comfortable floating on their back while maintaining a rhythmic, supportive kick.

A member of both YMCA and USA Swimming, the JETS prepare for and participate in a variety of meets throughout the year, although competition is not mandatory. The team practices from 3 to 6 days per week, depending on group placement, at both the Avery and Galowich YMCA branches. Swimmers are encouraged to attend practices and work hard, however 100% attendance is not required.

If you’re interested in joining the JETS, please join us at one of our upcoming Swim Clinics. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the JETS and to meet our team and coaching staff. Throughout the week, coaches will be evaluating swimmers for team placement. A YMCA membership is not required to participate in the clinic.

Cost: $25

March 21-23
Location: C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Ages 6-10 (5-6 p.m.) – Register Today

Ages 11-17 (6-7 p.m.) – Register Today

March 22-24 
Location: Galowich Family YMCA

Ages 6-17 (5-6 p.m.) – Register Today

Ages 6-17 (6-7 p.m.) – Register Today

To learn more about the JETS, please contact:

Dave Hedden
Director of Competitive Aquatics
[email protected]

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Meet Director of Competitive Aquatics Dave Hedden

The Joliet Y JETS Swim Team, one of the area’s most historic youth swimming clubs, is a year-round competitive swimming program that offers instruction and training for swimmers, ages five and up. Back at the helm of this incredible program is Director of Competitive Aquatics Dave Hedden. Dave has been connected to the Y for more than two decades, and we are very excited to officially welcome him back to the JETS family! You can learn more about Coach Dave by reading the Q&A below:

Q: Can you describe your background with the JETS swim team?

I swam with the JETS from age 11-18, and then started coaching. I coached the JETS for 18 years before moving to New York in 2017, and now I’m back!

Q: Why are you passionate about the JETS program?

Swimming is a great sport because it allows everyone to participate and work towards individual goals and improvement, yet at the same time firmly set within a team environment where teammates help push each other to new levels.  Through the natural ups and downs of the sport, there are countless teachable moments to develop the type of character that helps kids be successful in their life outside of swimming.

Q: What are the most important things young swimmers should know if they are thinking about joining the team? 

If kids love being in the water, and they’re interested in developing strong bonds with teammates and gaining confidence in themselves by learning new skills and working towards goals, that’s our main purpose. For younger swimmers, practices are offered 3-4 times per week for about an hour and 100% attendance is not required. As kids get older, practices are longer and are offered more often, and attendance should be aligned with the goals they set. There is room for kids to do multiple sports and activities and still participate with the JETS.  

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time outside the Y?

I play piano, bass, and guitar, and I write and record music.  Over the past few years, I’ve also gotten into coding and App development.  I also like to spend time with my wife hiking, camping, skiing, and dancing.

Q: What’s coming up with the JETS in 2022?

I look forward to developing relationships with all the swimmers and seeing them improve and reach their goals.

If you have any questions about the JETS swim team, you can contact Dave at (815) 782-0805 or [email protected]

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Galowich Family YMCA Debuts New Starting Blocks

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA JETS Swim Team is excited to begin using newly installed starting blocks at the Galowich Family YMCA. These starting blocks were made possible through the generous support of Debbie and Warren Thomas, parents of JETS Head Coach Ashleigh Thomas.

Debbie said the idea to provide funding for the starting blocks first came to her after she attended the YMCA Gala in 2019.

“Every year we look for ways to give charitable donations and we asked Ashleigh if there were any particular needs at the Y,” Debbie said. “She mentioned that she was coaching some really competitive swimmers at the Galowich Y and there were no starting blocks. Ashleigh has been in swimming for a long time so we are well aware of the importance of having starting blocks, and we know it’s hard to train for races without them.”

Coach Thomas said that she was moved by the donation from her family and that the starting blocks represent a strong commitment to the Y’s historic swimming program.

“These blocks will have an impact on the JETS program by transforming the Galowich Family YMCA Pool to accommodate competitive swimmers in addition to bringing in new opportunities to our swim lesson program,” she said. “This equipment befits the talent and hard work of our JETS swimmers as they pursue their higher level and national swimming goals.”

The new starting blocks were installed earlier this month and come at a time when the JETS swim team is preparing for an exciting stretch of its competitive season.

“I can finally say that we have several meets on the horizon for the JETS,” Coach Thomas said. “We are currently competing in dual meet competitions, and we have our 2021 Illinois Y State Invitational coming up at the end of April. I think it’s a great way to transition our winter season into spring and keep our swimmers excited for the summer.”

Debbie said she and Warren are excited to finally see the project come to fruition.

“It was a long process to get everything approved, especially as the world was dealing with COVID, but it’s really nice to see the pictures of the starting blocks,” she said. “I know that Ashleigh is excited and all the kids are excited. I really hope they enjoy using them.”

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Developing Future Leaders: Julie Wang’s Story


At the Y, we not only provide opportunities for young adults to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but also find ways to help them become well-rounded members of the community. JETS Swimmer Julie Wang is one such individual. Wang has been selected as one of just 22 swimmers from around the country to attend the YMCA’s Emerging Leader Academy in Orlando, Florida. The Academy’s conference will run from October 10 to October 13, providing an arena for students to hone their swimming talents as well further develop their leadership skills. 

“These athletes are not only great swimmers, they are great kids. They have a combination of athletic skill and leadership qualities that stand out,” Director of Competitive Aquatics Ashleigh Thomas said. “Being able to lead is something the Y Leadership Conference looks for and wants to continue to develop.”  

Wang’s relationship with the Y began when she was just five years old. At that time, she looked up to her older brother and his place in the JETS swim program. 

“He had started when he was eight and swam until he graduated high school. I saw that he was having so much fun with the team and I wanted that as well. It motivated me. One of my goals was to improve on my swimming, but I also wanted to make friends,” Wang said. 

Wang has maintained a strong relationship with her team members and says their support has made going to practices and meets some of the best experiences of her life. 

“You feel like you’ve accomplished something because they are there to cheer you on. We’re highly motivated and hold each other accountable,” she said.

Wang, a junior at Joliet West High School, has taken what she has learned from her time on the JETS and put it into action for her school’s team. 

“It’s a very different dynamic. Our team is in development and we’re trying to build a culture and a program. I came in as a freshman and was the fastest swimmer. When you’re in a situation like that a lot of people look to you. I realized you have to set a good example. The JETS has helped me strive to work harder,” Wang said. 

Thomas said one of Wang’s strengths is her drive to be successful in a wide range of activities. Wang is a straight-A student and also plays the french horn for her school band. 

“Julie is extremely well-rounded which is great if you’re going to compete in anything. She has this creative musical side to her and when you put her in groups she works well with different people,” Thomas said. 

Wang tries to apply the principles of patience and dedication she has learned from JETS into everyday life.

“Swimming has taught me a lot about responsibility and time management. I always looked up to the older kids on the team and watched them succeed. I strived to do that as well and become the best version of myself,” Wang said.  

In addition to the on-site “swimposium” aspect of the conference, academy assignments include online learning, interviews, self-assessment and a service project. Topics addressed will include leadership styles, communication, problem-solving and decision-making, difficult conversations, inclusion, influencing culture and mentorship. Wang is looking forward to what the program can teach her.

“I was honored to be considered. Being called a leader is a huge compliment. Ever since I was little, I have liked to take action to help people. It’s really rewarding,” Wang said. “I am blessed with so many opportunities and I want to make a difference and help the people around me. I feel like I’ll get to work on my leadership skills and meet other people with the same mentality.”

We congratulate Julie on her accomplishments and are proud to have her representing the Great Joliet Area YMCA this week!

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Volunteer Spotlight- Rachel Mika

When you volunteer at the Y, you not only enhance your personal well-being but also take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change right in your own neighborhood.  For Rachel Mika, who is chairman of the JETS Parents Advisory Council and an active Y member, volunteering provides her with the opportunity to give back to the community like she remembers her parents doing when she was a Y kid. Greater Joliet Area YMCA Volunteer

 

Q: When did you first become involved with the Y?

Rachel: I grew up in Joliet and I became involved with the Y through the JETS Swim Team in 1981.

 

Q: What does the Y mean to you?

Rachel: To me, the Y means my children have a place they can grow in a supportive environment, knowing that they will be supported at whatever level they are at!

 

Q: When did you first learn about volunteer opportunities at the Y?

Rachel: I became aware of volunteer opportunities through the JETS parent organization.

 

Q: What made you want to volunteer?

Rachel: I remembered how much time and effort my parents put into the swim team when I was growing up and I wanted to do the same for my children. In addition, I had a difficult first swim season with my daughter and wanted to help parents so they didn’t have to struggle through navigating the ‘ins and outs’ of being a swim parent.

 

Q: What is the best part of volunteering?

Rachel: I love being able to help parents so that their children can grow and thrive in their chosen activities. I have also met some really wonderful people through volunteering at the Y.

 

Q: What have you learned during your volunteer experience?

Rachel: I have learned a lot about collaboration, teamwork, and perseverance! When you are not doing something for a paycheck it gives it a very different meaning and purpose.

 

Do you want to make a difference in your community?  To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Y, please contact Volunteer and Development Operations Manager Dori Fugate via email at [email protected] or by phone at (815) 267-8600, ext. 210.

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Why You Should Join the Joliet Y JETS Swim Team

WenLi, a fourth-grader/member of the Joliet Y JETS Swim Team, wrote a persuasive paper about why her peers should join the JETS. Check it out!

Hey! I would like you to join the Joliet JETS swim team. People on my team have more fun in life. If you joined my team, you could get out and get active, have more fun and be healthy.

The first thing you can do on my swim team is get out and get active. It is fun, you should try it. Why should you join a swim team? Well, the coaches try to encourage you and help you. They are nice to you too! Swimming is better than school, and sitting at home doing nothing. Join my swim team!

The next reason to join the swim team is to have fun, and have a good time. You should have fun in life, don’t be stuck in boring school! Have fun on the JETS and be yourself. We won’t care, you are who you are and we respect that. Don’t be stuck at home doing nothing when you can have so much fun on the JETS. We have fun in swim because people encourage us but in school you just do work and more work. We have free time to play in the pool and out of the pool. It’s fun! Don’t you want to do all of that fun stuff?

Last but not least, if you join the swim team, you will be healthy. You will be strong and have fun doing it! No more treadmill to be healthy, you just have to swim and have fun. Work your body, move your body, get strong, and get healthy. You will feel better, and your body will feel better too! Just join the Joliet JETS. It’s good for you!

Obviously, joining the swim team is an excellent choice. It’s fun and exciting. When you join the swim team, remember you can get out and get active, have fun, and stay healthy. As the JETS say, “Change is the dawn of improvement.”

The JETS 2014 Fall Swim Clinic will be held September 8-13. The clinic is an opportunity for swimmers to meet some of the coaches and try out the team to see if they would like to join. The coaches work on basic technique drills and provide instruction throughout the week as they evaluate where each swimmer will be placed if they decide to join. For more information, click here.

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