MYB Program, Background and Alumni

 The Montgomery Barracuda Swim Team was formed in 1978, as a member of USA Swimming. In 1984 the team affiliated with the YMCA, becoming the   Montgomery YMCA Barracuda Swim Team (MYB). Swimmers are eligible for YMCA and U.S.A. Swimming competitions. The Barracudas are Alabama’s most productive and awarded YMCA swim team. The primary purpose of the team is to provide each of its swimmers an opportunity to attain his/her maximum potential in competitive swimming. MYB is the area’s only year-round swim program that offers training to beginners as well as national competitors.

The Barracudas excel because of the commitment of trained coaches plus the enthusiasm and dedication of its talented members. Most student members of the team are honor students and the discipline they learn through swimming leads to accomplishments in other endeavors as well. Each year over 125 swimmers compete on the local, state, regional and national levels. Many summer league swimmers and other athletes train year round with the Barracudas to help their summer clubs or sports teams.

If you love to swim, want to be in the best physical condition possible, make new friends, and travel, come swim with the Montgomery YMCA Barracudas. Swimmers ages four and up are eligible for participation in the Barracuda competitive swim program. Swimmers must have knowledge of the freestyle stroke and be able to swim one length (25 yards) of the pool.

Swim practices are held at the East YMCA Pool Monday through Saturday. Try out Practice is Monday through Friday 3:45-4:45 at the East YMCA.   

Once you have been placed at a swim level your practice days and times vary according to age and ability, please see practice times link for details. 

If you would like more info before coming for your first practice, please call the Barracuda Hotline at 334-273-8351 and leave a message requesting a contract about an evaluation session or come by the East YMCA (direct number is 334-272-3390)

All swimmers must complete a MYB registration form and U.S.A. Swimming registration. Registration materials and a complete handbook will be made available upon request at the East YMCA or call the Barracuda Hotline at 334-273-8351

Directions:

The home of the Montgomery YMCA Barracudas is at the East YMCA, 3407 Pelzer Avenue in East Montgomery. From I-85, exit north on Perry Hill Road. Turn left on Atlanta Highway, right on Coliseum Blvd., and right on Pelzer Avenue. The East YMCA will be on your left.

Swim Levels:

	National: This group is under the direction of the head coach. These swimmers attend 7-9 practices each week. Swimmers from this group represent the Montgomery YMCA at regional and national competitions.
	Senior: This group is under the direction of an assistant coach. This group will start swimming morning practices in addition to the afternoon practices and attend about 6-8 practices each week. Swimmers in this group represent the Barracudas in meets up to the regional level.
	SILVER 2: This group is under the direction of an assistant coach. This group will start swimming morning practices in addition to the afternoon practices and attend about 5-6 practices each week. Swimmers in this group represent the Barracudas in meets up to the regional level.
	SILVER: This group is under the direction of an assistant coach. These swimmers practice once a day for a two-hour session, 4-5 practices a week. It is in this group that swimmers will start to focus on physiological systems along with technique. These swimmers will compete on a local and regional level.
	BRONZE: The Bronze group will be under the direction of an assistant coach. This group will be primarily technique oriented for one hour practices, 3-4 days a week. This group competes primarily on a local level.

The swim levels are based more upon ability than age. Coaches will determine the level of each swimmer and when that swimmer is ready to move to the next level. Parents are encouraged to abide by the coaches’ decision for the benefit of the swimmer and team.  

MYB Alumni College Choices 2006   Luke Boutwell - University of Alabama Clint McClendon - University of Alabama Chris Caro - Delta College   College Choices 2005   Katie Bellew - Cleveland State University Aimee Hukill - University of Missouri   College Choices 2004 Bryant Hunter - California Baptist University Sara Servold - Colorado State University   College Choices 2003  John Scott  swims for defending National Champion Auburn  Matthew. Bellew signed with Indian River Junior College in Florida, home of current Auburn University Swim Coach David Marsh Turkish exchange student MYB swimmer, Cem Pasaoglu  returns to the US with a full scholarship to Drexel University.  Cem also competed at the World Championships in Spain and at the World University Games in Korea with fellow MYB Alumni Amy Wheatley Turkish exchange student MYB swimmer, Ceyan Guler signed with St. Bonaventure College   College Choices 2002 Amy Wheatley, Auburn University April McCoy, Auburn University   College Choices 2001 Matthew Figh, Georgia Tech Matt Bellew. Indian River Community College   Other Alumni Activities: (pre-2001) Leigh Figh, attended University of Richmond, VA Braeden MacGuire following the family tradition, attended McGill University in Canada Katie MacGuire taught English at a school in Taegu, Korea Merrill Sherman has moved on from the Montgomery Advertiser and is continuing his graphic arts career in Chicago. Jeanine Windham  relocated from Atlanta to Tuscaloosa  to resume her college career at the University of Alabama. Bart Blackburn  attended  Louisiana State University, studying microbiology as a pre-med major.  Member of Theta Xi fraternity.