Heat Masters Swim Team Hosts Third Annual John May Winter Classic Swim Meet

The Heat Masters Swim Team, a program of the Stephens Family YCMA’s Heat Swim Team, hosted their Third Annual John May Winter Classic Swim Meet on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Centennial High School Pool in Champaign. 

The swim meet honors the late John May, who passed in November 2021. John was involved in many organizations throughout his life, one of which was the HEAT Masters swim team. He was a member and a friend to many in and around the pool. His friendly presence on the pool deck stood out even more so because of his brightly colored jammers (swimsuit) that he would wear to swim. 

John’s swimming career began at the Windsor Swim Club in Urbana. Although the swim club no longer exists, he supported it throughout its time in the community. Anyone who knew John would agree that one of his biggest achievements was working to start the high school of Saint Thomas More. Not only did he contribute financially to the school, but he put in the manual labor as well. He would oftentimes be at the school fixing up the football field. He also started the first girls swim team at Saint Thomas More.

As a way to honor John’s commitment to swimming, not just as a swimmer himself, but as a coach and supporter of so many swimmers in the community, the Heat Masters Swim Team created the John May Winter Classic Swim Meet in his honor in February 2022. 

As part of this annual swim meet, the HEAT Masters swim team sells lane sponsorships as a way to raise money for the John May Scholarship, a fund in his name at the High School of Saint Thomas More. This year, the Heat Masters Swim Team sold out every lane of the pool, and raised $400 to contribute to the scholarship fund. This year’s sponsors included: the May Family, First Strokes Swim Academy, TocDoc, Grow Marketing and Communications, and the Heat Masters Swim Team.

"I am so proud of our team honoring the memory of John May for the third year in a row,” said Heat Masters Swim Coach Tina Johnson. “It is our privilege and honor to serve our community and give back to honor one of our own."  

Members of the May Family, including John’s wife Kathy, son Adam, and son Josh and his family were present at the swim meet. The swim team and the May Family took a photo along with a big celebratory check for the scholarship fund at Saint Thomas More. The Heat Masters Swim Team looks forward to honoring John’s legacy for years to come, and is already planning the next swim meet, set to take place in mid-February 2025.