GTAC Finishes Stellar Swimming Season

Producing a world-champion swimmer, as well as some of the best swimmers in the state, are just two achievements of the Glenview Titan Aquatic Club's (GTAC) record-setting summer season.

"It was a good summer," said head coach Steve Iida. "I think a lot of the success comes down to the coaches and the kids."

The summer season is actually the smaller season, Iida said, with 155 swimmers participating. Fall and winter season sees about 170, he added. The club includes swimmers from six years old to high school age.

The goal of the program is create an environment where the swimmers feel like they have a private lesson, with engaging coaches.

"Being engaged makes them feel as if they're getting special attention and they work pretty hard," Iida said.

One hard worker in particular is 16-year-old .

A national championship swimmer, in Lima, Peru, where she finished an impressive 7th in the 100 back against teenagers from around the world, according to a recent statement from the team.

"Next summer in June, she's going to the Olympic trials," Iida said of Smoliga. He predicts she will be in the top six in the country.

He said Smoliga's success motivates other swimmers.

"She started when she was a little kid with us," Iida said. "And the others know that if they work hard, and this is what they really want, it could happen."

The team's other summer successes include:

• GTAC scored a team record 138 points at the Illinois Age Group Championships, with several top finishes against the state’s elite swimmers;
• The team produced a record number of Regional Age Group Championship qualifiers, with two regional champion swimmers, and several other top scorers;
• The team produced a record number of Regional Age Group Championship qualifiers, with two regional champion swimmers, and several other top scorers;
•  GTAC successfully hosted the Windy City Conference Championships, at the home pool at Glenbrook South, with GTAC taking top scoring honors.

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