Lyons Aquatics of La Grange, IL celebrates 50th anniversary

Thanks to Karen Deane for contributing the following story and photo gallery:

At the beginning of the Lyons Aquatics home meet on Feb 13, swimmers and coaches were greeted by Village Official, John Burns, who presented the team with a letter of congratulations on their 50th anniversary. “With 500 swimmers, the club reinforces the ideals of healthy choices, teambuilding and goal setting for children and families in the Lyons Township area. Children are excited to be part of Lyons Aquatics, which is a true testament of the club’s success,” stated Tom Livingston, Village President.

In 1964, the team began when a group of La Grange Field Club parents wanted to find an indoor swim team option for their kids during winter months. In the early days, there was just one coach and a couple of assistant coaches. Today, Lyons Aquatics has grown to include 7 different level swim teams, a dive team, a water polo team and masters swim program.

Lyons Aquatics also now includes many 2nd generation swimmers and coaches including red team coach Alison Credit and dive coach Julie McDermott. The club is just one of a few swim clubs in Illinois to have a separate strength and conditioning coach who works with many of the swimmers in dry land conditioning in addition to the water.

The club is currently at full capacity with 500 swimmers ranging in age from 7 to 70 and is one of the top 5 Illinois swim clubs. In 2012, Lyons Aquatics swimmer, Brian Donatelli, qualified for US Olympic Trials. The team just ended their regular season breaking 12 team records, a girls relay team qualifying for Junior Nationals and almost 30% of club swimmers qualifying to compete at Illinois swimming regionals.

Samantha Chopp 10 of Lyons Aquatics is focused intently on her backstroke during warm-ups at the Lyons Aquatics County Line CLassic swim meet on Feb 14.

Eleanor McMeen, 11 of La Grange practices her butterfly during warm-ups prior to the Lyons Aquatics County Line Classic home meet Feb 14.

Katie Hess, 10 of La Grange, Ethan Baum, 10, Molly Norgle, and Emily Claesson, 10 all from Lyons Aquatics practice their starts off the block during warm-ups at Lyons Aquatics County Line Classic meet Feb 14.

Coach Alison Credit writes event and heat numbers on her swimmer’s arm, Sophie Zielinski of La Grange, as fellow swimmer, Grace Credit, looks on

Village Official, John Burns, presents Lyons Aquatics with a letter of congratulations on their 50th anniversary. Back row (l to r) Lyons Aquatics President, Erik Claesson, John Burns and Lyons Aquatics head coach, Casey Hnatiuk.