Michael Brooks
The YMCA of York and York County and the York YMCA Aquatic Club, furthering a longstanding tradition of competitive swimming excellence, proudly announce the hiring of Michael Brooks as their team’s new Head Coach. Among many qualified candidates considered for the head coaching position, Michael clearly stands out as the one the Y and the Aquatic Club are certain will lead our program back into regional and national prominence. Michael’s demonstrated record of achievement and success speaks for itself and we are certain that success will continue here at the York YMCA.
Michael Brooks comes back to York from the Brophy East Swim Team in Phoenix, AZ where he was Head Age Group Coach. Prior to Brophy, Coach Brooks coached at one of the most prominent teams in the country: The North Baltimore Aquatic Club which has produced 11 Olympians since 1984, including Michael Phelps. He was the Head Coach of NBAC’s satellite program here in York.
Prior to assuming his responsibilities with NBAC, Coach Brooks served as the Head Age Group Coach of the Tar Heel Aqua Racers in Raleigh, North Carolina, and as Head Coach of Rams Aquatics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Coach Brooks has coached swimmers to national “top 16” rankings in all events in all age groups! He was honored as the 2003 Maryland Age Group Coach of the Year and on two occasions as the Utah State High School Coach of the Year.
His colleagues in the coaching profession describe him as a perfectionist who is extraordinarily knowledgeable about the sport of swimming and who is committed to instilling in his swimmers a passion for the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of their lives. Coach Brooks has received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Carleton College and in History from the University of Utah. He has received a Master of Arts degree in History from the University of Notre Dame.
Andy Stewart
Andy started swimming at the York Y in 1973. At 12 he was the 50 Fly State champ and at 14 the 100 & 200 free state champ and State record holder. In high school, he swam for Suburban where his teams were District 3 Champions four years in a row and he was a four time All-American. He went to Bucknell University where he studied Business Management and English Literature and swam for his first 2 years.
Andy currently works for Graham Packaging. Andy and his wife, Judy, have four children: Sada, Tessa, Noah and Coleman, all four of whom now swim for the Y. In fact, it was his kids’ involvement in swimming that spurred Andy into coaching. He is also President of the Aquatic Club, the York YMCA Swimming Program Parent's group. Working with the kids, parents and coaches involved with York YMCA Swimming is a great privilege!
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Clyde Vedder
Clyde has been involved in the YMCA swim program most of his life. He was taught to swim and to teach swimming at the YMCA by John deBarbadillo. He began swimming competitively in the Y age group program at age 8. He was coached by Bill Schmidt both at the Y and ad York High. He was a collegiate All American for 3 years. In 1976, he won the 100-Yd. Butterfly at NCAA Division III Nationals and in 1987 he was inducted into Dickinson College's Sports Hall of Fame.
He enjoys coaching and developing swimmers of all ages. He and his wife, Beth, reside in Spring Garden Township with their daughter, Emma, who is a swimmer on the Y team.
He still swims daily at the Y, competes in long distance swims such as the Chesapeake Bay Swim, St. Croix 5-miler and local triathlons and when at the beach, bodysurfs with Emma.
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Nate Gentzler
Coach Nate has been involved with competitive swimming since he was eight years old. He was introduced to competitive swimming by hall of fame coach John deBarbadillo at the York YWCA, where he swam for three years. Nate then joined the York YMCA swim team in 1995, where he swam until he graduated high school in 2002. While in high school, Nate also swam for the West York High School swim team, where he earned varsity letters all four years, and was elected captain his senior year. Nate’s favorite events are the 200 and 500 freestyle.
Nate has been coached for West York High School, and began coaching for the York YMCA in the spring of 2007.
Nate had a very memorable swimming career and wanted to remain involved in the sport, which is why he decided to start coaching. He enjoys teaching both swimming skills and life skills.
Nate still swims daily at 6 AM, along with Coach Clyde and several other members of the “York Y Zoo Crew”, and participates in United States Masters Swimming. He works full time as an IT assistant (basically, a “computer guy”). When not busy working or coaching, he enjoys hanging out with friends or spending time with his family. Nate is also a volunteer firefighter and EMT.
Sandy joined the York YMCA program in the
spring of 2008 with her two children, Jacob and Aleni. She is
the primary coach of the novice / 8 & Under group.
Sandy started swimming her sophomore year at Mary Baldwin College on the
club team, and from there went on to teach swimming lessons and coach 8 &
unders at the Staunton, Virginia YMCA for 2 years. She and her husband,
Michael, relocated to the York Area in 1997. Sandy rejoined the swimming
scene in 2006 when her kids joined the Spring Grove Swim Club, and began
coaching for that team shortly thereafter. There she coached 8 & Unders for
three seasons.
In her free time, Sandy is a wife and stay-at-home/home schooling mom.
Coach
Janet Borowski comes to the York YMCA Competitive Swimming program from the
highly regarded Eagle Swim Team in
Janet
and her husband Jayson live in the Dallastown area with their adorable one
year old daughter Elaina.
Tim is the primary coach at our Southern branch facility in Shrewsbury.
