As we celebrate the end of the 2024 Olympic games, our South Shore YMCA Strypers Swim Team is celebrating its own champions, like Nick Austin, whose journey from a young swimmer to a top competitor reflects the dedication and passion that drives athletes everywhere.
Nick’s journey with the SSYMCA Strypers swim team began when he was just six years old. Inspired by his sister Victoria, who also swam for the Strypers, Nick joined the team and quickly fell in love with the sport. Over the past 12 years, he has grown from a beginner into a key member of the Strypers, forging strong friendships and developing his skills.
The South Shore YMCA Strypers Swim Team is a year-round competitive swim team offering high quality professional coaching and technique instruction for youths of all ages and abilities. With 140 swimmers aged 6 to 18, the team practices regularly at our Hale and Emilson Y branches.
Recently, eight of our Strypers swimmers qualified for the YMCA National Championships in Florida, where they competed against over 650 swimmers from across the country in a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool. Among them, Nick shone brightly, making finals in all his events, with standout finishes of 3rd and 4th place in his breaststroke events. Another Strypers swimmer, 13-year-old Cullen Cashman, also made waves, breaking three New England records and ranking #1 and #2 in the country for his age group in the 200 and 100 breaststroke events, respectively.
Nick’s time with the Strypers has had a profound impact on him. He’s developed not only as a swimmer but as a leader, learning to support his teammates and push them to excel. “When I was younger on the team, I learned how to be a good teammate and put the team over myself. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to give back the same resources to others on the team,” Nick shares. This sense of community and mutual support is what makes the Strypers feel like a family.
Learning to swim is not only a life-saving skill, it also builds confidence and gives young athletes the space to create lifelong friendships, fostering personal growth. For Nick, swimming has been a place where he can truly be himself, surrounded by friends who share his passion. “Being on the Strypers team lets me and my teammates express ourselves, make friends, and try new things, all while building our swim skills” Nick explains. “Swimming with the Strypers has shown me how to work well with others and put others over myself. I’m the leader I am today because of this team.”
