An experienced competitive swimmer has spent thousands of hours in the pool, competed in too many races to remember, and probably has a box of hard-earned ribbons at home that took years to accrue.

Still, before they were as accomplished competitors, these swimmers were probably 8 & under swimmers in a summer league who were just learning what the sport of swimming was all about. These younger swimmers are the heart of any summer program. They are thrilled to compete even if they don’t know how to dive from the blocks or do a legal breaststroke. They look the part in little racing suits, caps, and goggles, and they are always wearing a smile.

The Northampton KIDS Swim Club’s summer team has many of these “smaller swimmers” this season, with 13 swimmers in the 8 & under group and 22 swimmers in the 9 & 10-year-old group. Some of these swimmers just began swimming this year, and some have been swimming year-round, but each of them is ready to give their all when the meets come around.

Coach Melissa White, head coach for the elementary-aged swimmers during the KIDS summer session, has been working to make these younger KIDS strong all-around swimmers.

“During practices, we focus on the correct techniques of all four strokes,” explained White. “We also work on improving our starts (dives) and finishes and having a tight streamline off each wall.”

Last Thursday, the KIDS faced the Bethlehem Stingrays and the younger KIDS swimmers had another chance to shine. A great example was the boys 8 & under 100 freestyle relay team of Dante Esteben, Trace Snellman, Luca Snellman and Connor Mentzell which took third place. Preparing for a swim meet at this age is as much about getting the swimmers excited and keeping their interest as it is about fine-tuning their stroke. Coach White explains, “Before a meet, we talk about [the fact that] the place they finish does not matter. All that matters is they are improving their time by getting a best time.

“Swimmers can become discouraged if they don’t earn a ribbon or come in first place. That is why this year I have a prize bin for all swimmers who get a best time regardless of their finishing place.“

While many of the younger swimmers are still learning to compete, some are already earning great results. For example, Luca Snellman took second in the boys 8 & under 25-yard breaststroke event in last Thursday’s meet against Bethlehem. In the girls 8 & under 25-yard butterfly, Lana Butterworth took third place, and London Sandt placed second for the Boys. London also placed 2nd in the boys 8 & under 25-yard backstroke event and placed 1st in the boys 8 & under 25-yard freestyle.

These are particularly great results given, as Coach White explains the biggest challenge for these swimmers is, “being able to have a good dive and being able to have a legal breaststroke and butterfly.”

While the 8 & under group is the youngest and newest of the swimmers, 9 & 10-year-old swimmers are also working hard and improving every day. The boys 9 & 10-year-old 100 relay team of Kai Sandt, Trevor Ford, Lucian Ionita, and Joseph Bowman took first place, while the relay team of Colton Saylor, Madden Williams, Lance Armetta and Nathan Bunda placed third. For the girls 9-10-year-old 100 medley relay team of Patricia Kuhns, Ava Hartzell, Zua Esteben, and Kinsley Walbert placed second.

With three more meets to go, the summer season has already been a great success for the “little” KIDS Summer Swim Club.

“The summer season has been great so far,” says White. “The swimmers have really caught onto learning and mastering techniques. We have a great group of swimmers who are willing to learn and try new things.”