FACILITIES: Practices are held at two locations throughout the short course season (September through April). The YMCA of Central Virginia in downtown Lynchburg offers a 6-lane, 25 meter pool, while the new Jamerson YMCA at 801 Wyndhurst, has 8 lanes in a 25 yard swimming pool. During the long course season (May through July) swimmers move into the outdoor 50 meter pool at Miller Park. With two pools, LY Swimming is able to offer convenient practice times for families as well as ensure quality training. Both YMCA sites are replete with fitness centers which supplement the quality of the dryland training program for our older swimmers.

LOCATION: YMCA of Central Virginia, 1315 Church Street, Lynchburg VA;       Jamerson YMCA  801 Wyndhurst, Lynchburg VA

PHILOSOPHY: The Lynchburg Y Swim Team emphasizes the long-term development of competitive swimmers through teaching proper stroke mechanics, using age appropriate training, and instilling a desire for excellence in the pursuit of achievement. The coaching staff helps each swimmer maximize their efforts in the drive toward personal excellence, offering athletes the opportunity to pursue their goals and encouraging them to become the best swimmer and best person they can be. LY Swimming is committed to the idea of team support for the individual. The success of the individual is the success of the group. (More on Swimming the LY Way)

COMPETITION: YMCA and USA Swim meets are designed to meet the needs of swimmers at all levels. LY swimmers compete at meets for developmental swimmers as well as meets for age group and senior swimmers all around the state and region. LY hosts several meets a year right here in Lynchburg. Swimmers are encouraged to attend meets where they will compete against athletes of comparable ability and be able to test themselves in all strokes and events. Meets measure swimmer development, training adaptations, and serve to challenge the individual to excel. Swimmers develop friendships and contacts at meets that last a lifetime.

ACTIVITIES: In addition to the routine practices and meets, LY Swimming offers many fun filled activities to its members to enhance the fun and spirit of the team. Throughout the year there may be family picnics, a night out at the Hill Cats, a bowling excursion, a team travel meet, whitewater rafting, camping, entry into local road races, or a team trip to the movies. LY Swimming offers its swimmers a unique experience that adds to the enjoyment of the sport.

COACHES: Head Coach, TJ Liston, has been recognized at the National level as well as the LSC level, winning the South Carolina Coach of the Year award five times. His swimmers have been ranked both nationally and internationally and have held national records. He has coached a two-time National Champion, an Olympic Trial finalist, two Junior National Champions, USA Swimming All Americans, the 1998 SEC Swimmer of the Year, and numerous South Carolina Swimmers of the Year. He coached two Olympic Trial qualifiers in 1996 and qualified two more swimmers for the 2000 Olympic Trials. He spent many years on the Board of Directors of South Carolina Swimming and was the Chair of the Eastern Section of the Southern Zone for USA Swimming for 6 years. TJ currently sits on the Senior Committee of Virginia Swimming.  As the YMCA's Director of Competitive Swimming, TJ will coordinate all aspects of the Lynchburg Y Swim Team. Contact at 444-1256 or CoachListon@comcast.net

Assistant Coach Lisa Liston is the wife of TJ. Lisa holds a Masters Degree in English Literature from Middlebury College in Vermont and has taught at both the high school and collegiate level. She is entering her fourteenth season of coaching and is responsible for many of the administrative tasks of running LY. Lisa works primarily with the younger swimmers. Her swimmers have included many IM Tough Award winners, state champions, and sectional finalists. Lisa served on the Board of Directors of South Carolina Swimming for four years and was also the Camp Coordinator for two successful Zone All-Star Camps for the SC LSC.  Lisa currently sits on the Age Group Committee for Virginia Swimming.  Contact at  384-6338 or LisaLListon@aol.com

Coach Priscilla Bettis returns to LY bringing her 25 years of coaching experience to the team.  Priscilla holds a Bachelor of Engineering Physics from the University of Oklahoma and is able to apply her understanding of wave mechanics and fluid dynamics when teaching stroke technique.  As mother of 13 year old swimmer, Ruth, she also brings her knowledge of parenting to the pool deck.  Priscilla has coached swimmers of all ages and abilities including age group, junior high school, Special Olympics, summer league, and Masters, including a Masters National Champion.  She enjoys motivating young athletes and promoting the great sport of swimming.  Contact at 239-7540 or pbettis@gmail.com

Coach Hank Reed also returns to LY.  Hank has many years of experience at all levels of swimming, including many years with the LY swim team.  His coaching experience extends from summer league to high school to children of all ages, including his own daughters who are 10 and 13.  Hank's enthusiasm for the swimmers and the sport is unparalleled.  Contact at 525-4959 or LYCoach@aol.com

SENIOR: The Elite of the Elite. Practices held 9-10 times a week for 2-3 hours per practice. This group is for the serious 13 and up swimmer who has made a commitment to the sport. These swimmers are pursuing competition on the senior sectional and national level, with collegiate swimming a future goal. Monday through Thursday 3:45pm-6:15pm downtown Y; Friday 4-6PM at Jamerson Y;  Monday AM is at the downtown Y from 5:30-7AM;  Tuesday & Thursday mornings at Jamerson Y from 5-7AM; Saturday 7-9:30AM at Jamerson Y.

PRE-SENIORS: This group practices 6 times a week for two hours a practice. Extra summer practices are made available to the committed swimmer in this group. This group is designed for the dedicated swimmer who is competing at the state and age group sectional level in their age groups. Monday through Thursday 3:45-6:15pm downtown Y;  Friday 4-6PM at Jamerson Y;   Saturday 7:00-9:00AM Jamerson Y.

PLATINUM:  This is a transitional group that is available by invitation only.

GOLD GROUP : This group meets four days a week for one and a half hour practices and is designed for swimmers 9 to 19.  This wide ranging group includes young competitive swimmers progressing toward the next level of training, as well as older swimmers who just want to remain in shape for high school and summer swimming.  Their primary goal is to work on stroke development and some race strategies. Designed for the swimmer who knows the four primary strokes. Stroke mechanics, racing skills, general endurance, goal setting, self-discipline, and fun are all emphasized at this level. Monday through Thursday at Jamerson Y, 4:00 - 5:30pm.  Some swimmers have additional dryland time on Monday and Wednesday.

BLUE GROUP: This group consists of all 8 & Under swimmers as well as beginning swimmers of all ages. All instruction is geared to learning the proper stroke mechanics in all four competitive strokes. Proper pull patterns, kicking, streamlining, racing starts, circle swimming, clock reading, are all part of this introduction to competitive swimming. Constant repetition helps these young swimmers in their basic motor learning period improve.

Monday through Thursday, pick any TWO days, at Jamerson Y, 4:00-5:00pm.

STROKE SCHOOL: Stroke School is offered on Saturdays primarily for Blue Group and Gold Group swimmers. Detailed instruction on specific skills is given. Senior and pre-senior swimmers may also be asked by their coach to take advantage of a particular stroke school to help them with the skill being focused on that day. Jamerson Y, 9:30-10:30AM.