WEST END WILDCATS
WHAT IS SWIM TEAM ALL ABOUT? The YMCA swim team offers youth the opportunity to learn about swimming as a sport while having fun and making friends! We encourage sportsmanship as well as competition. Coaching includes the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility while working on endurance training and stroke techniques.
ABOUT
Parent Informational/Meet the Coaches meeting :
Thursday October 1 from 7:15-8:15pm in the multi-purpose room at the West End Y
Registration:
Registration for families that had children on the team for '25-'26 season begins Saturday, September 20 in person or by phone. Registration for high school and middle school swimmers that want to join for a limited season will also open on September 20th.
For any new families wanting to join the team, there will be two options. The first is through participating in a stroke clinic during the month of September. The stroke clinic will run on T/Th Sept 8-26th.
Participation in the stroke clinic, will allow the coaches the opportunity to see your child and determine if they have the skills needed to be on the team. The second option is coming to “tryout days”. Those days will be Tue Sept 29, Wed Sept 30 and Thu Oct 1 from 6:00-7:00pm.
Registration is required for the tryouts. It is suggested that your child attend at least 2 times during that week. Final registration will close once the team numbers have been reached. Swim team practices will officially start Monday October 5; you must be registered for the team to attend practices.
Fees for the 2026-27 swim season:
Program Fee:
The swim team program fee is separate from the West End YMCA membership, and is an operating fund to cover staff, pool time and administrative costs. The program fee MUST be paid before the first practice. If needed, you can set up a payment schedule through the business office. The payment schedule is the fee divided by 5 (down-payment and then 4 monthly scheduled payments) to be paid on the 15th of each of the following months: Oct, Nov, Dec & Jan. Families must fill out an Automatic Payment Plan in the Business Office at the West End YMCA. (Financial assistance is available)
First child $330 ($15 discount if paid in full)
Each additional child $280
High School / Middle School Students $210
(swimming for their own school team)
Team Fee:
Each family is required to pay a team fee that is directly applied to the parent’s team account of $20 per family. This money is used to go towards: award ribbons, timing and training equipment, end of season banquet tickets for each swimmer, banquet awards, Team Unify software, league fees.
YMCA PAYMENT PLAN:
- 5 Months – Payments made on the 15th of each month in Oct, Nov, Dec and Jan
- Families must fill out an Automatic Payment Plan in the Member Service Office at West End YMCA.
- Swimmer Program fee divided by four months for scheduled monthly payment.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
West End Wildcats Swim Team Practice Schedule 2026-2027
Monday through Friday will be closed practices. Parents, please wait in the lobby, no watching from pool deck or ramp. On Saturdays, upstairs bleachers will be open to watch practices. Unless otherwise noted, the practices will be held in the competition pool. Swimmers MUST attend their AGE GROUP practices; attendance will be taken, and swimmers will not be allowed to participate in practices that are not for their age group.
MONDAY
6:30-7:30pm Ages 10-11
7:30-8:45pm Ages 12 and up
TUESDAY
6:30-7:30pm Ages 9-10
7:30-8:45pm Ages 11-12
WEDNESDAY
6:30-7:15pm Ages 8 and under in Rec pool- 7:15-7:30 in Comp Pool
6:30-7:30pm Ages 9-10
7:30-8:45pm Ages 12 and up
THURSDAY
6:30-7:30pm Ages 9-11
7:30-8:45pm Ages 12 and up
FRIDAY
5:30-6:30pm Ages 8 and under in Rec pool
6:30-7:30pm Ages 9-10
7:30-8:30pm Ages 11 and up
SATURDAY
11-12pm all ages
12-1pm all ages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
COACHES
Head Coach:
Oliver Curwen ocurwen@lakecountyymca.org
Oliver has coached for the Lake County Y since 2006: 2026-27 will be his 15th season as the Head Coach at the West End YMCA. Oliver has also coached the Eastlake, Willoughby and Mentor summer teams, and has experience coaching many different age groups, including high school and college swimmers, throughout his career. Oliver swam for his high school, a community center, and universities in Canada and Germany. Oliver looks forward to passing on his knowledge and love for swimming to his swimmers and families.
Assistant Coaches:
Cade Pastor
Cade has been coaching the Wildcats since 2021 and is looking forward to another great season! Cade was once a part of the Wildcats himself, the Willoughby Stingers, Lake Catholic's Swim Team, and the University of Akron's Swim Club. When he's not at the pool (which is a rare sight), he enjoys playing the drums or teaching marching band at North High.
Rob Brocious
Rob is a Cleveland sports fan, avid concert goer/karaoke singer, and enjoys creating a positive atmosphere with laughs and smiles. He has been an assistant coach for the Wildcats since 2023.
Sarah Hudek
Sarah grew up swimming in Northeast Ohio at the High School, USA Swimming and Masters Swimming levels. She has previously coached high school swimming and this is her fourth year coaching the West End Wildcats. Her son is also on the team. When she is not coaching, she enjoys working out, skiing, and spending time with her husband and son.
Marc Pengal
Marc has been coaching for the Wildcats for 3 years. He has a lifelong background in swimming, from high school competition and summer rec league to lifeguarding, swim instruction, and pool management. He enjoys sharing his knowledge of the sport and helping swimmers build confidence and improve their skills.
Marlena Childs
Marlena is excited to join the coaching staff this year. She swam competitively for 10 years and is thrilled to be coaching alongside Coach Oliver, the very person who taught her how to race! She also has experience teaching youth swim lessons and loves working with younger athletes. She is looking forward to an exciting first year of coaching and seeing everyone in the pool!