ABOUT US

By joining the Wildcat Swim Club, your child has a chance to become a member of one of the country’s largest and most organized youth sports. The sport of swimming has many benefits, including the people you and your child will meet. The camaraderie among swimmers is unique; many swimming buddies have become lifelong friends.

In addition to being around good people, swimming provides one of the most beneficial forms of exercise for cardiovascular and overall fitness. This exercise can be enjoyed throughout ones’ entire life. Possibly the greatest benefits of participating in an organized swimming program are the life skills your child will develop. These skills include time management, self-discipline and sportsmanship. Your child will reap the benefits of swimming long after their participation ends. Most swimmers go on to be very successful and productive adults largely due to what they gained from swimming.

Age group swimming can be fun, exciting and rewarding. Some children improve rapidly during the early development stages due to growth and improved technique. It is difficult to avoid the tendency to push young athletes at this stage. However, the emphasis at this time should be placed on technique. We recommend the training schedule for developmental swimmers be flexible enough to provide time to participate in other activities. Since many swimmers train for ten years or more, swimming at the youngest levels needs to be fun and pressure free.

ABOUT OUR COACHES

Michael J. Magas III, Co-Head Coach – Staffing and Meets

 Coach Magas began his swimming career at an early age - similar to many of our team members. He grew up in Naugatuck and during his formative years was a member of the Naugatuck YMCA swim team coached by Brain Kennedy. Upon entering Naugatuck High School, Coach Magas joined the varsity swim team where he performed admirably during his 4 years on the team. In 1976, Coach Magas achieved All Naugatuck Valley League honors and also served as one of the NHS team’s captains. While in high school Coach Magas was fortunate to swim under two of arguably the best high school coaches in the state of Connecticut – Jim Farrar and Jim McKee. After high school Coach Magas continued his swimming career on a collegiate level as he swam for Jack Suydam at Central Connecticut State University. Following his swimming career in college Coach Magas decided to take some time away from the sport as he focused on other personal interest outside of swimming. Although he wasn’t intimately involved in swimming, his love for the sport never waned and he continually followed the sport on various levels. Coach Magas began his coaching career in the mid 1990’s as he worked as a head coach for various youth sports teams in the East Mountain Athletic Association. In 2002, Coach Magas took over the Wallace Middle School swim team program as their head coach and he guided them over a 2 year period. In 2004, Coach Magas became head coach of the Woodland Regional High School Boys’ and Girls’ swim teams. At present he is the head coach of the Woodland Girls’ team and the Watertown High School Boys’ team.

Thomas Currier, Co-Head Coach – Safety Coordinator

 Coach Currier began his swimming career at an early age. He stated at the age of 8, competitive swimming with the YMCA.  He had a successful career winning New Englands several times.  While swimming at Ledyard High School, he won class L three years in the 100 butterfly. During his college years he qualified for nationals.  Tom continues his swimming today and is currently a masters swimmer, shooting for the CT record in the 50 fly and has qualified for their nationals in some events. Coach Currier began his coaching career In September of 2000 as Co-Head Coach for Lansing Community Aquatics in Lansing, New York while serving as the assistant boys Coach for Lansing High School. Coach Currier served as the Assistant Aquatics Director for Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks in Hebron, CT from 2006-2008, during which time he also served as the Head Swim Coach for the E.O. Smith High School boys swim team in Mansfield, CT. In November 2009, Coach Currier became the Boys Head Coach for the Woodland High School team where he presently serves.

Missy Orosz, Assistant Head Coach – Developmental

Coach Orosz swam for Hamden High School throughout her four years.  She has taught recreational swimming lessons at Hamden/North Haven YMCA, Milford/Orange YMCA, Bridgeport Recreation Department and is currently on the staff of the Valley YMCA as substitute instructor. Coach Orosz has been a Certified Lifeguard for the past 20 years and is also a Certified High School Swimming official during the high school boy’s season and has been for the past 5 years. Coach Orosz is a member of the CT High School Coaches Associations and CT High School Swimming Officials Association. Formerly, she was the Head Swimming & Diving Coach at Sacred Heart Academy-Hamden from 1999-2008 where she compiled a record of 110 wins-35 losses-1 tie. In 2008, Coach Orosz guided her team to the Southern CT Conference Division II Swim Title and a top 10 place at the Girls High State Opens. That year, Coach Orosz was selected as the 2008 New Haven Register Girls Swim Coach of the Year. In 2007, Coach Orosz also served as the Head Swim Coach for the North Haven/North Branford Boys Swim Team.  Coach Orosz is currently going into her second season as the Girls Head Swimming Coach at Seymour High School where the team finished in 2009 with an overall record of 11-1, a 2nd place finish in the Naugatuck Valley League and a 4th place finish at the Class “S” State Girls Championships. Coach Orosz also serves as the Special Olympics Head Swim Coach for St. Catherine Academy-Fairfield and is the Current Part-time Associate Recreation Director for the Town of Seymour.