Team Philosophy
The philosophy of our team is to furnish young athletes with a chance to excel as an individual, while at the same time providing the opportunity to be a contributing member of a successful swimming team, all with an emphasis on cultivating a safe, healthy, and positive environment for our athletes. For the individual, swimming teaches self-reliance, discipline, and dedication. Being a part of a team offers the chance to form friendships with teammates, and work with them in pursuit of a common goal. Practicing and competing as a Kentucky Aquatics swimmer teaches lessons that last a lifetime and are transposed into daily living.
Team Goals
To be good ambassadors for Kentucky Aquatics, Lexington and USA Swimming.
We are recognized as a team with class, as well as speed. Each team member must understand the importance of displaying a positive image. This positive attitude will be visible through our thoughts, words and actions, in and out of the pool.
To compete as a unified and spirited team.
Each team member will cooperate and contribute to the team effort. Positive support during meets, practice and social functions creates an atmosphere that inspires success, achievement and fun.
To enjoy the athletic experience.
We have fun being athletes! We love being a part of this team. We set goals! We achieve those goals and we encourage our teammates to do the same!
Team History & Tradition
Kentucky Aquatics is the oldest and most prestigious swim team in Central Kentucky. Its roots date back to 1961, as the Greater Lexington Swim Association (GLSA) under the guidance of Wynn Paul, who in 1964 became the UK Swimming Coach. In 1979 the team merged with Lexington Swim Team (LST) and assumed the name Lexington Thoroughbred Swim Team (LTST) under the direction of head coaches Phil Wilder and Dave Redmond. With the completion of the Lancaster Aquatic Center on the University of Kentucky campus in 1989, LTST moved its headquarters to Memorial Coliseum and additional swim time became available at the new facility. A dedicated group of swim team parents provided the leadership under the team's name, Wildcat Aquatics. In 2015 our team name was changed and is operating under the new name of Kentucy Aquatics. In 2016 the team merged with Highbridge Aquatics and its Head Coach Chris Fugmann. In August, 2020, a new team chapter started for the team with the arrival of head coach Joey Gracia, who joined Kentucky Aquatics from the renowned Mission Viejo Nadadores where he worked with and learned from Nadadore head coach and US swim coaching legend Mark Schubert. Now, yet another coaching chapter begins for the team with the new arrival of head coach Devin Murphy, who is joining KYA from his prior role as Head Coach at The Race Club, the preeminent technical swim club in the world.
This program has produced well over 100 Kentucky Swimming Champions, nationally ranked age group swimmers, numerous Junior National and National qualifiers, one National and three Junior National Champions and one Olympic Gold Medalist and one Olympic Silver Medalist. In addition, we have helped develop many collegiate scholarship student athletes.
