Gator Team Photo

 

THE GATORS

The Thelma Lovette Gators swim team is designed to provide aspiring swimmers (age 4-18) with workouts, speed techniques, endurance training and quality drill instruction under the guidance of an experienced coaching staff. Our swimmers will have the opportunity to compete against other YMCA teams in dual and invitational meets and championships in the Pittsburgh area, state and beyond. 

WINTER 2025 SEASON

September 30, 2025 – February, 2026

SQUADS AND PRACTICES

Bronze Squad 
Practices T/W/Th 6:00–7:15pm

Swimmers should have completed v6 swim levels 1-3 or equivalent.

Bronze swimmers must be able to:

  • Swim 25 unbroken yards of Freestyle with rotary (side) breathing, continuous arm motion and continuous kick.
  • Swim 25 unbroken yards of Backstroke with continuous arm motion and continuous kick.
  • Have previous knowledge of Breaststroke and Butterfly. 
  • Attempt a dive from the side of the pool or off the diving block.
  • Pass an endurance set (Example: 4x25s freestyle with 1:00 minute break after each 25.)

Silver Squad
Practices T/W/Th 6:00–7:15pm

Silver Swimmers must be able to:

  • Swim 50-100 Freestyle with continuous arm motion, kicking and rotary (side) breathing.
  • Swim 50-100 of the four competitive strokes continuously with appropriate turns and continuous arm and kicking motion.
  • Dive from the starting block.
  • Continuously perform flip turns - no open turns.
  • Perform the appropriate streamline/turn for each stroke.
  • Butterfly — Get their arms over the water and perform the butterfly kick.
  • Breaststroke — Perform the breaststroke pull and kick. 
  • Backstroke — Swim on their back for the entire distance and perform a backstroke flip turn and appropriate finish.
  • Pass an endurance set (Example: 4x50s freestyle and/or Backstroke with 1:00 minute break after each 50.) 

 

Minimum practice requirements for meets

There will be no minimum practice requirement for meets during the 2025 Winter Season. 

LOCATION

Practices are held at the Thelma Lovette YMCA, 2114 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15219.

Meets are held at the Thelma Lovette YMCA as well as other YMCA locations throughout the region, typically within an hour's drive.