By Everett Fell
The Flushing YMCA Flyers will be holding tryouts for their swim teams on Thursday, Sept. 11, and Monday, Sept. 15, at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 14, at 8 a.m. The tryouts are open to girls and boys ages 6 through 17. The Flyers consist of an ‘A’ and a ‘B’ team totaling about 180 swimmers.
“We’ve always been a top program in the Metropolitan area,” said head coach Richard Finkelstein.
Finkelstein joined the Flyers 17 years ago. Finkelstein, once a member of the Queens College swim and water polo team, was an assistant coach at Holy Cross High School in 1976.
“A friend told me about the job and at first I was hesitant,” Finkelstein said.
Finkelstein started coaching the 8- and 9 year-old swimmers and presently coaches swimmers between the ages of 13 and 18.
Finkelstein’s Flyers bring a tremendous track record into the upcoming season. The Flyers have won the YMCA State Championship for the past 17 years.
“We have dedicated swimmers as well as a dedicated coaching staff,” Finkelstein said.
Finkelstein foresees improvement from last year’s successful season.
“We had a real young team last year,” Finkelstein said. “Most of the team was made up of freshmen in high school. They now have a year of swimming behind them.”
The Flyers attract local swimmers from many summer swim programs around the area. No competitive experience is necessary, however most of the older swimmers on the team are members of their respective high school teams.
The Flyers compete against other local YMCA’s. Most meets include 15 to 20 teams swimming against one another.
“We’re just trying to maintain our program,” Finkelstein said.
A program dominating the local swim scene.
The YMCA is located at 138-46 Northern Blvd. in Flushing. Call 718-961-6880 ext. 140 for further information.
