YGBW Athletes Recognized in Swim, Gymnastics, Dance and Tennis Competitions

Chester County, PA – [Aug 14, 2024] With many of the world’s top athletes returning home after competing for medals in Paris this summer, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) is celebrating local athletes in our community – and reminding us that big dreams start right here at home.

YGBW welcomes hundreds of youth athletes, honing their skills in swim, gymnastics, soccer, dance and more. Recently, YGBW athletes received honors at the 2024 YMCA Swimming Nationals, the 2024 Pennsylvania State Gymnastics Championship and the 2024 Philadelphia Youth Dance Festival, among others. The honors are not reserved for youth athletes as local adult tennis players competed in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) national championships.

“My family and I enjoyed watching and cheering on the athletes in Paris this summer,” shares Terri Edgar, Senior Vice President of Branch Operations. “It reminds me of my days attending YMCA Swimming Nationals and cheering on our local athletes. The energy and emotion at Nationals rivals what athletes experienced in Paris this summer. We’re so proud of YGBW athletes and all that they accomplished this year.”

YGBW Swimmers Quality for USA Jr. Nationals
76 local swimmers from YGBW’s competitive swim teams qualified for long-course YMCA Swimming Nationals, held in Ocala, Florida from Jul 30 – Aug 3. Across all YGBW teams, six swimmers are advancing to the USA Jr. Nationals, seven swimmers earned Academic All-American titles, and 37 team records were broken.

Devyn Sargent from the Upper Main Line team (UMLY) placed first in the 50 and 100 Backstroke events, UMLY’s 200 Medley Relay team (Paige Fisher, Hadar Miller, Kenzie Padilla and Sargent) placed first, Ellie McNamara from the West Chester team placed third in the 1500 Freestyle and sixth in the 400 Freestyle and Kyle Burk from the Kennett/Jennersville team placed fourth in the 200 Backstroke.

YGBW swimmers also competed at the short-course YMCA Swimming Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina this spring. Burk broke the YMCA National Record in his age group for the 200 Backstroke and Sargent placed nationally with the 200 Backstroke.

“We are so proud of our team – and that includes our swimmers, coaches and families,” says Todd Conrad, coach UMLY’s swim team. “What stood out to me more than the results were the constant display of support our athletes provided to one another. Whether they performed exceptionally, or they had challenges, they did so together, forging bonds and relationships that will be cemented over the course of their lives.”

“Being an athlete at YGBW means being a part of something greater than yourself,” he concludes.

Members of GYMCATS Earn First All-Around Titles
YGBW’s competitive gymnastics team, The GYMCATS, competed among 3,000 gymnasts this summer at the YMCA Nationals Gymnastics Invitational. Three athletes earned first All-Around titles: Madeline Kruzek, first All-Around (Platinum level), Kendall Mullen, first All-Around (Level 3) and Anya Kraatz, first All-Around (Silver Level).

Earlier this year, the team competed in YMCA State Gymnastics Championships in Meadville and Quakertown, earning four state titles. The Level 3, Level 4, Silver and Platinum teams earned first place awards. In the Silver division, Kraatz received a plaque for earning the highest event score at the Meadville competition with a 9.725 on beam.

"The athletes showed grace, grit and courage throughout this entire season,” shares GYMCATS Level 3 Coach, Paige Tarloski. “They earned their success by never giving up and encouraging each other. I am honored to be part of this strong team that exhibits love and compassion".

YGBW Dancers Earn National Honors
YGBW’s Upper Main Line branch (UMLY) boasts two competitive dance teams, Senior and Junior Dance Company, that perform at festivals and events throughout the year. It’s all part of a comprehensive catalog of dance programs offered by UMLY School of Dance.

At Nationals, UMLY School of Dance was awarded the studio with technical excellence – and performances by Maira Nunez and Mackenzie Wry earned national honors. Wry’s solo placed third and a duet by Nunez and Wry placed second. This is a fitting end to a remarkable dance season with Wry and Nunez being recognized with accolades throughout the year at competitions including the Elite Dance Challenge, Aspire Performing Arts Challenge and Wild About Dance.

Earlier this year, UMLY’s Junior and Senior Dance companies performed at the Philadelphia Youth Dance Festival at the Mandell Theater. The festival provides pre-professional dancers a chance to learn through a series of Master Classes. Dancers also can earn one of 70 scholarships to further their dance education. With over 450 dancers performing, earning a scholarship is no easy task.

Hannah Gupta of UMLY’s Senior Dance Company, received a scholarship to study world cultural dance this summer with the Youth Dance Festival. She also auditioned for and was accepted into Drexel University's Summer Dance Intensive.

YGBW Athletes Compete at USTA Nationals
The Y is often associated with youth programs, yet there are plenty of ways for adults to shine as well. Adult tennis players from UMLY competed in the US Tennis Assocation’s (USTA) national championships in Arizona and San Diego last fall – and hope to compete again this October.

UMLY is home to over 20 competitive tennis teams, all of which compete in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Middle States region. Last fall, two of UMLY's standout teams, Some Strings Attached 6.0 18+ and 40+, advanced through a series of rigorous competitions, moving from districts to sectionals - and ultimately earning the honor of competing at the national level.

The 6.0 18+ team placed 3rd while the 6.0 40+ team placed 4th. Their placements are especially notable as the two teams were the first YGBW teams to qualify for USTA Nationals in four years.

Youth and Adult Programs at YGBW
“Members of the community are often surprised to learn how much we contribute to youth development and healthy living in our area,” says President and CEO, Bertram L. Lawson II. “We take our mission very seriously and are proud to be a destination where local athletes and performers can learn, grow and thrive.”

“When I see children in our gyms, studios and our pools, I often imagine where this journey may take them. Some may be here for a few semesters to have a good time, while others may end up competing on the world stage someday. No matter which path they choose, we’re proud to be a step in their journey.”

Registration is now open for hundreds of programs at YGBW. Programs include Swim, Gymnastics, Dance, Tennis, Soccer, NFL Flag Football, Dodgeball, Esports and more. Register by visiting a YGBW branch or on our website at https://ymcagbw.org/ymca-activity-finder.

YGBW Fall Program Guide: https://ymcagbw.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/2024%20-%20Program%20Guide%20-%20Fall.pdf

About Programs at YGBW: https://ymcagbw.org/programs-ymca-of-greater-brandywine

YGBW Swim Teams: https://ymcagbw.org/ymca-swim-team

GYMCATS: https://ymcagbw.org/gymnastics/ymca-gymcats-gymnastic-team

UMLY Dance Companies: https://ymcagbw.org/upper-main-line-ymca-dance-company

Tennis at YGBW: https://ymcagbw.org/tennis