Youth Sports — Page 5 — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

JETS Swimmers Produce Standout Performances During 2025 Summer Season

August 20, 2025

It was an amazing summer season for the JETS Swim Team as they represented the Y at the state, regional, and national levels, making memories that will last a lifetime!

Highlights from the summer included:

IL YMCA State Long Course Championships
July 18-20
Lake Central High School – St John, IN

Event winners:
-Nolan Ewah (8U 50 freestyle and 50 backstroke)
-Evan Johnson (10U 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, 50 butterfly, and 200 medley)
-Hermes Sadcopen (14U 50 backstroke, 50 butterfly, and 100 backstroke)
-Ion Siminoi (14U 100 butterfly)
-Levi Anderson, Logan Despojo, Rocco Nazerian, and Ethan Sarceda (12U 200 freestyle relay)
-12U Boys won overall division championship

“In total, 59 JETS athletes competed at this meet and the team took 3rd place overall. It marked our first time placing in the top 3 at this event,” head coach Dave Hedden said.

IL 11-14 Age Group Long Course Championships
July 24-27
FMC Natatorium – Westmont, IL

The JETS were represented by Ava Bolos, Logan Despojo, Hermes Sadcopen, and Ion Siminoi.

Sadcopen won the 50 butterfly and finished in the top-10 of four other events. Siminoi finished 8th in the 200 butterfly.

“This is the fastest meet for 14U swimmers in the state of Illinois and it was Ava’s first time qualifying,” Hedden said.

ISCA Summer Senior Blast
July 29 – August 2
St Petersburg, FL

The JETS were represented by Ava Bolos, Aubrey Crnich, Andrew DeMille, Sophie Francis, Chris Johnson, Caroline Krohn, Sophia Mancilla, Hermes Sadcopen, Ion Siminoi, Genesis Stansberry, Daniel Venhrynovych, and Holly Zilinger.

Sadcopen placed 3rd in the 50 butterfly. Johnson finished 4th in the 50 breaststroke.

“This was the first big travel meet, and the first outdoor meet, for most of the kids. They crushed it, posting personal bests in nearly 80% of their races,” Hedden said.

IL 10 & Under Summer Championships
August 2-3
Stevenson High School – Lincolnshire, IL

The JETS were represented by Kaiden Forsyth, Evan Johnson, Kolin Linko, Kate Ann Yumena, and Shane Zilinger.

Johnson took 2nd in the 50 freestyle and added medals in four other events.

IL Open Water State Championships
August 5
Lake Manteno – Manteno, IL

Ion Siminoi placed 8th in the 3K for the 13-14 age group
Evan Johnson placed 8th in the 1K for the 10U age group.

“We had 10 athletes compete, our largest contingent ever for this meet,” Hedden said.

Central Zone 14 & Under Long Course Championships
August 7-10
Eastern Michigan University – Holland, MI

Logan Despojo, Evan Johnson, Hermes Sadcopen, and Ion Siminoi represented the JETS at this event.

“The JETS competed as part of Team Illinois in this ‘All-Star’ meet against swimmers from Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio,” Hedden said.

Sadcopen won the 50 freestyle and swam the butterfly leg on the champion 200 medley relay team in the 13-14 age group. Johnson took 7th in the 50 butterfly.

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 begin fall season practices! 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.

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Morris Hospital YMCA Offering Beginner Taekwondo Class this Fall

August 14, 2025

The Morris Hospital YMCA is excited to partner with Lee Family Martial Arts to run a 5-week taekwondo class for beginners! Open to ages 5-12, this class is a great way for kids to improve their strength, flexibility, and balance while learning about the importance of patience and discipline.

Classes will be held at the Morris Hospital YMCA and begin on August 29. Sign up today by clicking below!

Ages 5-7
Fridays, 4-4:50 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Ages 8-12
Fridays, 5-5:50 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Cost:
$140 for Facility Members
$280 for Community Members

PLEASE NOTE: Participants have the option to purchase a uniform and pay an additional fee to test for a belt designation, but they are not required.

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Family Fun Starts at the Y: Meet Matt, Stacey, Luke and Nathan Baker

July 30, 2025

At the Y, we take pride in creating welcoming spaces by offering programs and services that have a positive impact on families. Families like Morris Hospital YMCA members Stacey and Matt Baker and their sons Luke (age 7) and Nathan (age 5).

The Baker Family’s YMCA experience first began when Luke played t-ball at the Y. It soon expanded to the Y’s before and after school Kid Zone program, eventually leading to Facility Membership at the Y’s original location in downtown Morris.

“I joined to be able to get out of the house and stay active. Now we all probably come in three or four times a week in the summer. The facility here is top notch,” Stacey said.

Matt said the entire family has been amazed by the expanded offerings at the new location, which opened last December.

“I think it’s noteworthy how often we end up with both family cars here because we’ve arrived at separate times doing different things. There’s something here for all of us,” Matt said. “The wellness center is probably what both Stacey and I use most, but what really stuck out was the gymnasium. Having access to the two-lane track is a big deal. And the new Y has been really good for the boys. There’s so much space and new resources they get to use in the Activity Center and Kids Corner.”

Stacey said the youth spaces help build a sense of community for kids.

“Luke and Nathan get to be around kids that they know. We’ll see families from school or from sports teams here all the time. And there’s a lot of crossover with staff, so counselors from Kid Zone will greet the boys by name when they come into the Activity Center. They make every kid feel so welcome, which in turns makes us want to bring them back,” she said.

Regular visits to the Y have also opened the door to new activities.

“The session-based programs allow them to explore and do a lot of different things. They are always asking ‘Mom, can I try that?’ Luke did a cooking class this winter which is something he had never gotten an opportunity to do,” she said.

And new opportunities aren’t limited to youth programs. Stacey said she has enjoyed the expanded group fitness class options.

“I started doing a cycling class in the last few months which I had never done before,” she said. “There is always a variety of ages and abilities and everyone is welcomed. It doesn’t feel exclusive or that you can’t be the new person in the room. The instructors are always there to help you. You start to see familiar faces and it gives you accountability. It’s a fun community.”

We would like to thank the Baker family for their support of the Y!

If you are interested in joining the Y community, now is the perfect time! Our Summer Membership Sale is underway and continues through August 11. Learn more here. And don’t forget, registration for fall programming is underway for Facility Members! View our program guides to learn more or register online by clicking here.

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Dance, Cheer, Shine: YMCA Junior Wolves Dance Team Launching This Fall

July 25, 2025

The YMCA’s Junior Wolves Sports Program, offered in partnership with Joliet Junior College, is excited to announce a new co-ed dance team opportunity for kids ages 5-9 and 10-14!

Led by experienced cheer and dance staff, this enthusiastic program will teach aspiring dancers of all skill levels a mix of cheers, jumps, and dance routines. The team will perform throughout the NFL FLAG Football and Youth Basketball League seasons.

Fall Season
Practices will be held on Wednesdays starting August 13. Game performances will be on Fridays or Saturdays beginning the week of September 1. All practices and games will take place at the JJC Event Center.

Winter Season
Practices will be held on Wednesdays starting December 10. Game performances will be on Saturdays beginning January 17. All practices and games will take place at the JJC Event Center.

Each dancer will receive a t-shirt and socks to wear on game days. Dancers should wear black pants or shorts (weather dependent) with black shoes.

Cost (Per Season)
Facility Members: $65
Community Members: $98

Financial Assistance
At the YMCA, no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. Scholarships are available to those who qualify. Contact the Y at (815) 744-3939 for additional information.

To learn more about YMCA Junior Wolves Sports Programs, contact:
Zach Jarosz, Sports Manager
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 317

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Goggle Up: Van Walker’s Y Story

July 25, 2025

Morris Hospital YMCA member Cailey Walker says her son Van (age 10) has always been a swimmer.

“We’ve never been able to keep him out of the water. He’s loved to swim right from when he was a baby,” she said.

But up until last year, there was never a thought of swimming as a team activity. Cailey says that changed after Van attended a fall swim clinic hosted by the YMCA’s JETS Swim Team.

“It was wonderful. Head Coach Dave Hedden was so welcoming and invited Van to join the team,” Cailey said.

After getting a few practice sessions in, Van said he was excited to get the opportunity to swim competitively.

“I love swimming because I love being in the water and I love racing. My specialty is backstroke, but my favorite race is the 200 freestyle,” he said.

In addition to meets, Van said his favorite parts of being a JET have been participating in group activities like the annual Navy Seal Fitness Challenge, as well as the overall team atmosphere.

“The coaches are really supportive and nice, and my teammates are nice. Nicer than any other team I’ve been on,” he said.

Cailey said the welcoming nature of the program extends to the team parents.

“We have found a really wonderful community with a lot of great people that we would have probably never met otherwise. That’s what we like most about the JETS, the friends we’ve made,” she said.

The Walkers are also looking forward to the future of the program in Morris. The team will begin training at the Morris Hospital YMCA later this fall, and Cailey said Van has already gotten additional chances to swim at the Y.

“We’ve used the lap pool a lot, especially during school breaks. During Christmas break, Van was begging to come in every day. It’s nice because I can also go for a walk on the treadmill while he’s swimming,” she said.

Van said he can’t wait to begin training with new teammates at the Morris Y.

“Whether you’re new to swimming, or if you are really good at swimming, anyone can join. Everyone is welcome,” he said.

If your child is interested in joining the JETS, a fall swim clinic is the perfect opportunity for swimmers to meet some of the coaches and learn new swim skills. Throughout the clinic, coaches will also evaluate swimmers to determine if they meet criteria to be placed on the team. Due to popular demand, a second clinic at the Morris Hospital YMCA has been added for August 4-6! Additional details can be found below.

JETS Swim Team Fall Clinic

Date: Monday, August 4-Wednesday, August 6
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Location: Morris Hospital YMCA
Cost: $25

Open to ages 6-17.

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