YMCA TYDE Swimmers Headed to Olympic Trials
Local swimmers headed to U.S. and Canadian Olympic Trials
Winston-Salem, NC – (February 11, 2012) – Riptyde Swim Team (TYDE), the competitive swim team of the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina, announced that veteran swimmer Caitlin Casazza, 15, has qualified for the US Olympic Trials in the 200 meter butterfly event and dual citizen Alex Marshall has earned her Canadian Olympic Trial qualifying time in the 50 meter freestyle event.
Caitlin, a sophomore at Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School who lives in High Point, also swims for her high school swim team. As well as the U.S. Olympic Trial achievement in her young career, Casazza has previously won an individual 1A/2A State Championship in 2011 as a freshman in the 100 yard butterfly. Caitlin has also been a multiple-time Finalist at the YMCA Nationals for TYDE. Casazza is now part of the less than 1 percent of all U.S. swimmers who earn the right to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team selection this June. To qualify for the trials, Casazza had to complete four laps of a 50-meter pool under the 2:16.49 time standard. Casazza completed the distance in a time of 2:15.83.
A second TYDE swimmer, Alexandra Marshall, who is a dual citizen between the US and Canada, earned her Canadian Olympic Trial qualifying time in the 50 meter freestyle. Alex, who is a junior at Ronald W. Reagan High School, is also a member of her high school swim team alongside her club swimming. Like her YMCA teammate Caitlin, Alex was also a State Champion in 2011 winning the 50 yard Freestyle in the 4A division. Alex will soon head to Montreal to attend those trials in March.
“Swimming for the Y’s TYDE team is about excelling in and out of the water, and we couldn’t be more proud of our athletes who reach this level of accomplishment,” said Mike Brady, Director of Competitive Swimming for the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. “Both Caitlin and Alex are dedicated swimmers with the right mix of talent, drive and work ethic. It is unusual for a swimmer as young as Caitlin to reach the U.S. Olympic Trials and we’re thrilled Alex will represent TYDE in Canada as well.”
The Riptyde Swim Team
The Riptyde Swim Team (TYDE) is the swim team for the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. TYDE is a year-round USA Swimming and YMCA swim team offering a full range of competitive programming for all ages. Originally started in 1973 as WSY, TYDE has grown to become one of the largest and most respected swim teams in North Carolina and across the country. Our philosophy is to develop swimmers who are better prepared in life by being better prepared in the water. Visit www.swimtyde.org for more information.
YMCA of Northwest North Carolina
The YMCA is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina engages more than 100,000 men, women and children annually – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the community’s health and well-being and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in communities across five counties, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. Learn more at www.ymcanwnc.org.
Chelsea Cullen, Communications Director
E-mail: c.cullen@ymcanwnc.org
Phone: (336) 777-6252
Fax: (336) 777-6345