Marion YMCA Swimmer Ranked in Top 10 in Two Events

Theresa Lubke, YMCA Executive Director, awarding Madison Linstedt her two YMCA Swimming and Diving Certificates.

Madison Linstedt, a member of the Marion YMCA Swim Team, was recently recognized as in the top ten for all 11-year olds swimming competitively with a YMCA team in two events.  Linstedt had the ninth fastest time during the YMCA’s 2012 – 2013 season in the 500 Freestyle with a time of 5:40.42.  She had the seventh fastest time in the 50 Butterfly at 28.75.  According to the National YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving website, 27,122 athletes competed in YMCA meets during the 2012 – 2013 season.

Linstedt is the daughter of Seri and Larry Lindstedt. She is a seventh grader at Elgin Middle School.  Linstedt has been swimming since she was seven years old. Her goal for this season is to swim fast enough to compete in the 2014 Short Course YMCA National Championship. During the 2012 – 2013 season, Linstedt’s coach was the then YMCA Aquatics Director Evan Shanley.

“This is a wonderful accomplishment for Madison, and the Marion Family YMCA Swim Team.  Through hard work, dedication, the support and drive of her teammates, and her constant driving focus on her goals, Madison has shown that you can accomplish amazing things!  The team has an abundance of talent, and it’s great to see Madison continuing that push towards excellence,” stated Shanley.

Linstedt is currently coached by Debbie Sheehan, the current Marion Family YMCA Aquatics Director.

“As new head coach I am very excited to become a part of the Marion Family YMCA dolphin swim team.   It is exciting to be coaching swimmers with many different talents,” stated Sheehan. “I am very excited to be coaching Madison who shows great potential in the water along with many other swimmers currently on the Y swim team.   As we go into the next few months, the swimmers will be working hard to excel, better themselves and meet their goals towards faster times with the reach of the possibility of competing at the national level as a team.”

The Marion Family YMCA Dolphins Swim Team is open to boys and girls age five through high school seniors.  Swimmers must be able to swim 25 yards on their back and front.  No other experience is necessary.  The team practices Monday through Friday 5:30 – 7:30 pm.  Meets are usually Saturdays.  Attending all practices is not mandatory and parents choose the meets in which their children participate.  The season is currently underway, but new athletes are welcome.

For more information regarding the Marion Family YMCA Dolphins Swim Team, contact Debbie Sheehan, Aquatics Director, 740-725-9622.