YMCA OF MONTCLAIR SWIM TEAM DOLPHINS END 2021-2022 SHORT COURSE SEASON ON HIGH WITH TWO MEETS IN NORTH CAROLINA

By Simon Webb

Montclair, NJ – YMCA of Montclair Dolphins swim team finished the 2021-2022 season on a high, traveling to two competitions in North Carolina as two swimmers raced at the highest level of competition for YMCA teams and eighteen swimmers battled in a tough-to-qualify invitational.

Nead Kojic and Leo Powers swam in the 2022 Short Course YMCA Nationals, the final competition and pinnacle of the season. This year, 169 teams were represented from across the United States at the meet held in Greensboro, North Carolina, from March 28-April 1.

Kojic, 16, raced in the men’s 100-yard breaststroke and ranked 80th, the highest placing for the Dolphins at the national level this year. Powers, 17, raced in the men’s 100-yard fly, placing 83rd. All-rounder Powers also swam the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard breaststroke.

Both swimmers qualified for the 2022 Long Course YMCA Nationals.

They will be joined by fellow Dolphin Colin Ko, 15. Ko smashed his personal best in the finals of the boys 14 and over 100-yard breaststroke in the penultimate event of the season, the Sunkissed Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ko placed 12th in the finals after swimming 1:00.24 in the preliminaries, a huge 4.8 seconds faster than his previous best and a qualifying time for the YMCA Nationals.

Vicky Sluk, 12, was the top-placed swimmer of the eighteen Dolphins that raced at the Sunkissed Invitational Championships from March 24-27. Sluk placed 6th in the girls 13 and under 200-yard fly, cutting 6.23 seconds from her personal best with a time of 2:34.84. Sluk put in superb all-round performance, placing 10th in the 200-yard backstroke, 11th in the 100-yard IM, 12th in the 100-yard backstroke, and 14th in the 200-yard IM.

Other swimmers that placed in the top-20 in their events in Charlotte for the girls were Sefina Morrison, 13, Charlotte Roeland, 12, and Sara Search, 13. For the boys, Sam Holbech, 12 also had a top-20 finish.

“Our swimmers are getting better not only in terms of seconds but also in learning to convert big dreams into long-term goals by developing personal plans and – most importantly – executing these plans daily step by step,” said Alex Boutov, Director of Competitive Swimming. “It is the best reward for the coaches to see our youth succeed in planning their future and making their dreams come true in and out of the water.”

The Dolphins are already back in the pool at the YMCA of Montclair after a short break, as training begins in earnest for the long-course season.

Pictured Left to Right in Photo: Evan Carlson, Colin Ko, Makayla Tucci, Kellen Ievers, Sam Holbeck (green costume), Sophie Beaubouef, Charlotte Roeland, Alex Boutov (Director of Competitive Swimming), Ellen Last, Sara Search, Emma Dilane, Isabella Mastromarino, Katie Song, Victoria Sluk, Ella Kirkland, Kayleigh Surichaqui, Sefina Morrison, and Magnolia Shimizu-Tragni. Photo credit Jacky Roeland

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The YMCA of Montclair Dolphins swim team offers a year-round opportunity for competitive swimming in both YMCA and USA Swimming competitions as well as seasonal instructional clinics for aspiring competitive athletes. The team is comprised of girls and boys from age 6 through high school. Around 200 athletes train with the team each year. They compete at all levels, based on their skill set.

 

 

The YMCA of Montclair is celebrating with Ys across the state and country the 30th Anniversary of Healthy Kids Day®, a celebration of kids! Children and their families are invited to an afternoon of fun activities where kids can be kids and families can make memories.

On Saturday, April 30, 2022, the YMCA of Montclair is hosting Healthy Kids Day, the theme of the day is “Where Kids Bloom”. The event is from 1 – 4pm at the Geyer Family YMCA at 159 Glenridge Avenue in Montclair. Healthy Kids Day is geared for children PreK through 12 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Healthy Kids Day is FREE and open to the community. Registration is required at https://www.montclairymca.org/healthy-kids-day/.

The day’s activities include:

Arts & Crafts | Yoga | Zumba | Aerobics | Kung Fu | Games | Snacks | and more!

“Healthy Kids Day is a day where we celebrate kids. Our Y is offering a program where families can laugh, try new things, and have a great afternoon,” says Buddy Evans, YMCA of Montclair CEO and President. “At the Y, we believe in the potential of all children and each day we work to help kids find that potential in themselves.”

In addition to an afternoon of activities, the YMCA of Montclair is offering giveaways, a drawing for a free family membership, and 7-day guest passes. Masks are not required for outdoor activities. Masks are required indoors if not vaccinated.

Community partners also will participate in the event. Attendees can visit the Montclair Art Museum Art Truck, the Mental Health Association of Essex, Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center, Montclair Fire Department, and more.

Healthy Kids Day is generously sponsored by Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center. For more information contact Sara Blondina, Family Director at sblondina@montclairymca.org.

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ABOUT THE YMCA OF MONTCLAIR
Established in 1891, the YMCA of Montclair welcomes all. We are a nonprofit that strengthens individuals, families, and community by developing spirit, mind, and body. Working locally, we focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being, and inspiring action in and across communities. Serving Bloomfield, Bloomingdale, Clifton, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Haskell, Montclair, Verona, and West Milford. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.

ABOUT MOUNTAINSIDE MEDICAL CENTER
Mountainside Medical Center has been serving Montclair and its surrounding New Jersey communities since 1891. The medical center provides patients immediate access to innovative and effective treatment alternatives at specialized centers within the medical center that focuses on imaging, women’s health, cancer care, surgery, obesity, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. Mountainside Medical Center is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the NJ State Department of Health and Senior Services and is one of only a few community hospitals licensed by the State to perform emergency and elective cardiac angioplasty. To learn more about Mountainside Medical Center visit www.mountainsidehosp.com.

 

MONTCLAIR, NJ – On March 30, 2022, the YMCA of Montclair opened two new dedicated spaces for lactation and infant feeding at their Park Street facility. Nursing mothers and parents in need of a quiet, dedicated space to feed their children will now be able to visit the lactation rooms, adjacent to the women’s locker rooms. The lactation rooms have been generously sponsored by Mountainside Medical Center.

“Our Park Street YMCA welcomes more and more families for programming, swim lessons, or a work-out while taking advantage of our Child Watch drop-in childcare. We are so pleased to be able to offer this space to new mothers and feeding parents,” says Family Director Sara Blondina.

Each room contains a rocking chair, a changing table, and an inviting atmosphere. 

“The hospital is committed to the healthcare needs of our community, both in and outside of the hospital setting. Collaboration with community partners like the YMCA allows us to understand and advance the well-being of our community,” says Tim O’Brien, CEO of Mountainside Medical Center, “We are happy to support the YMCA’s initiative to provide new parents a safe, clean space to feed their infant.”

“One of the main tenants of our strategic plan is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment while meeting the changing needs of families,” says Buddy Evans, President and CEO of the YMCA of Montclair. “We believe that supporting families is a critical part of our mission, and I hope by providing this space we are better able to support parents and their children.”

Pictured Left to Right: Nicole Mincey, R.N., Director of Women’s Services Mountainside Medical Center, Izumi Hara, Chief Volunteer Officer YMCA of Montclair, Tim O’Brien, CEO of Mountainside Medical Center, Buddy Evans, CEO and President YMCA of Montclair, Valerie Allusson, M.D., Chief Medical Officer Mountainside Medical Center

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ABOUT THE YMCA OF MONTCLAIR
Established in 1891, the YMCA of Montclair welcomes all. We are a nonprofit that strengthens individuals, families, and community by developing spirit, mind, and body. Working locally, we focus on empowering young people, improving health and well-being, and inspiring action in and across communities. Serving Bloomfield, Bloomingdale, Clifton, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Haskell, Montclair, Verona, and West Milford. For more information, please visit montclairymca.org.

ABOUT MOUNTAINSIDE MEDICAL CENTER
Mountainside Medical Center has been serving Montclair and its surrounding New Jersey communities since 1891. The medical center provides patients immediate access to innovative and effective treatment alternatives at specialized centers within the medical center that focuses on imaging, women’s health, cancer care, surgery, obesity, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. Mountainside Medical Center is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the NJ State Department of Health and Senior Services and is one of only a few community hospitals licensed by the State to perform emergency and elective cardiac angioplasty. To learn more about Mountainside Medical Center visit www.mountainsidehosp.com.

I am writing to you to announce the retirement of Lisa Aulisi our Vice-President of Youth Development effective February 11.

Thirty-nine and half years ago, at the Washington Street Y, Dawn McFadden had an interview with a college freshman for an aquatics position. The candidate showed up late, dressed in leather, and big ‘80s hair. So much hair that Dawn was not sure it would fit under a swim cap. Dawn decided to give her a shot anyway.

Over the years, that new hire, Lisa Aulisi, as a program director and Washington Street Y branch director, taught countless children how to swim at the Washington Street Y pool. Lisa delighted children in summer camp, created the birthday party program, snow camp, and Live Y’ers/Staycation. Most significantly, as Senior SACC Director, Lisa made the School Age Child Care program what it is today. Countless children had a safe place to be before and after school because of her efforts and dedication.

I do not use the word dedication lightly. In November of 2018, during a freak snowstorm, many children were stuck at their schools. Lisa took up a post in the main lobby at Park Street and worked the phones ensuring that each child in our Y’s care was accounted for and got home. The most difficult case, a young child in foster care whose foster parent lived in a different town, kept her at that desk until 10pm. Lisa would not leave until she confirmed the child was picked up and safe. Lisa always puts kids first.

In 2018, Lisa took on the role of Vice-President of Youth Development and assumed leadership of our entire camp program. At the start of the pandemic in 2020, Lisa created our emergency childcare program for health care professionals during a time when no one knew what was to come. Lisa knew that we had to be there for our healthcare workers so they could be there for us all. That summer, Lisa launched our Early Learning Center and in 2020 and 2021 she brought our camp program back, bringing joy and normalcy to our kids and parents.

Lisa also leaves a legacy of extraordinary staff development and retention. Her team, currently consisting of Shirley Farquharson (14 years), Kim Burrows (18 years), Marlon Pollard (21 years), and Rob Casale (22 years), is a testament to her leadership and the reason for our Y’s reputation for high standards in our programs.

On behalf of our Y thank you, Lisa, for your years of service to the children in the greater Montclair community.

Sincerely,

Buddy Evans
President and CEO

 

We are so excited to announce the latest addition to our coaching team, Roman Sloudnov. Monday, January 31 was Roman’s first day as the full-time Head Age Group Coach for the Dolphins Swim Team. Roman is a four-time Olympian, winning the bronze medal for 100m breaststroke in 2000 games held in Sydney. Also in 2000, he held world records in the long course 100m, short course 100m, and 200m. Roman is the first person to swim the long course 100m breaststroke in under one minute.

Roman is a ASCA Level 2 coach and he graduated Magna cum Laude from Missouri State University in 2009 with a BS in Finance. Roman has experience coaching in college, club, and professional swimming environments in both the U.S. and Russia. Roman’s coaching experience began with Drury University in Springfield, MO where he volunteered as a coach for this Division II team, he also coached the RI Marlins of NYC where he was the Head Coach from 2016-2018, was an age group coach and Head Coach assistant for Match Point swim team of Brooklyn, NY from 2014-2016 and his most recent coaching job was in Russia with the Roshchina Swim Team from 2018 until December 2021. Asides from his own swimming career he has experience leading dry land practices which will be implemented into the team beginning next season.

Alex Boutov, Director of Competitive Swimming
Tammy Como, Association Aquatics Director