GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

As one of the YMCA’s most historic youth programs, the JETS Swim Team is proud to announce the 50th Anniversary of the JETS Summer Classic Swim Meet! The JETS have welcomed thousands of swimmers, family members, volunteers, officials, and fans to this event across the last five decades, and we are so excited to bring the community together for another amazing display of competitive swimming and celebrate the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and youth development. 

JETS Summer Classic
50th Anniversary Meet

Date: June 13-15

Location:
Lake Central High School
8400 Wicker Avenue
St. John, IN 46373

We also encourage you to stay tuned to the team’s Facebook page as we share highlights from 50 years of swim team memories leading up to the meet. 

To learn more about the JETS Summer Classic, or the JETS Swim Team, please contact:

Dave Hedden
Director of Competitive Aquatics
Phone (815) 782-0805
Email: [email protected]

It was an amazing winter season for the JETS Swim Team as they claimed multiple team titles at local and state competitions and put forth performances that etched new marks in the program record book!

Highlights from the winter included:

IL Swimming Winter Regional Championships
February 28-March 2
Lincoln Way Central High School in New Lenox, IL

Logan Despojo, Hermes Sadcopen, Ion Siminoi, Daniel Venhrynovych, Simon Zapanta, and Holly Zilinger all won individual event titles.

Sadcopen broke a team record in the 200 yard backstroke that had been held since 1983 and Venhrynovych set a new team record in the 50 yard butterfly.

“We had 29 athletes compete and it was a very successful meet with over 75% of our swims being personal best times. We had a total of 60 top 8 finishes awarded on the podium,” JETS head coach Dave Hedden said. 

IL Senior Championships
March 6-9
UIC Natatorium in Chicago, IL

The boys 200 yard medley relay team of Hermes Sadcopen, Chris Johnson, Elliot Martillo, and Daniel Venhrynovych qualified for YMCA Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina.

“Hermes also broke the team record in the 50 yard backstroke while Chris set new team records in the 50 yard and 200 yard breaststrokes, the latter of which had been held since 1984,” Hedden said.   

Chicago Suburban YMCA District Championships
March 8
Sage YMCA in Crystal Lake, IL

The JETS won the overall team meet for the second consecutive year after claiming Girls 12-U, 14-U, and 21-U age division titles as well as a clean sweep of the Boys 10-U, 12-U, 14-U, and 21-U age division titles.

“104 JETS swimmers participated with 21 athletes combining for 31 event victories,” Hedden said.

Event winners included: Aaryahi Amin, Haily Beringer, Rachel DeMille, Evan Delcid, Nolan Ewah, Jaden Habon, Filip Hajnos, Hadley Howard, Chris Johnson, Jonathan Kerr, Elliot Martillo, Shivaay Punjwani, Hastin Sadcopen, Hermes Sadcopen, Ava Sorensen, Daniel Venhrynovych, Alex Watkins, Brooke Wojcik, Aria Yui, Holly Zilinger, Shane Zilinger.

IL 11-14 Age Group Championships
March 13-14
FMC Natatorium in Westmont, IL

The quartet of Chris Johnson, Hermes Sadcopen, Ion Siminoi, and Daniel Venhrynovych took 4th in the 200 yard freestyle relay and 6th in the 200 yard medley relay.

“The relay team bettered their own record in the medley and their time in the 200 freestyle broke a record that had been held since 1985,” Hedden said. “Hermes also broke the team record for 13-14 boys 50 yard freestyle and Chris broke his own team record in the 100 yard breaststroke.”

IL YMCA State Championships
March 14-16
Central High School in St. John, Indiana

The JETS had 58 athletes compete and claimed a title in the Boys 14-U age division.

Individual state champions included Chris Johnson, Evan Johnson, and Hermes Sadcopen.

Chris Johnson, Hermes Sadcopen, Ion Siminoi, and Daniel Venhrynovych teamed up to win first place in the 14-U 200 yard freestyle and 200 yard medley relays.

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We are so proud of all the amazing things our JETS swimmers have done so far in 2025 and we wish them the best as they prepare for their summer season! If you would like to learn more about the team, please contact Dave Hedden at [email protected] or (815) 782-0805.

You can also see additional updates on the JETS Facebook page.

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 3 to 6 days per week, depending on group placement, at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA and Galowich Family YMCA branches. Practice activities at the Morris Hospital YMCA are set to begin later this fall. 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. Registration is underway for Facility Members and opens on February 22 for Community Members!

Spring Swim Clinics

Cost: $25

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Date: March 17-19 (Ages 6-10)
Time: 5-6 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Date: March 17-19 (Ages 11-17)
Time: 6-7 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Galowich Family YMCA

Date: March 18-20 (Ages 6-17)
Time: 5-6 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Morris Hospital YMCA 

Date: March 24-26 (Ages 6-17)
Time: 6-7 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

To learn more about the JETS, please contact:

Dave Hedden
Director of Competitive Aquatics
[email protected]