'Dawn to Dusk' Swim-A-Thon

This might be a first...at least for me. A 'Dawn to Dusk' swim-a-thon to raise funds towards sending the Groton Gators 2014 National Team to the AAU National Competition in Des Moines, at the end of July! Funds raised will also support updating and purchasing new equipment for the whole team.

The fundraiser is indeed a 'Dawn to Dusk' swim-a-thon, wherein the Gators will have a team member in the pool, doing laps and churning up yards, for 12 hours straight!  The athletes will take turns doing a 'shift' in the pool all day long while adult volunteers will track how many yards they swim. 

Prior to the swim-a-thon, the team members will be going door-to-door around the town (and beyond) seeking sponsors for their efforts.... The standard arrangement is that someone would pledge a certain dollar amount to the swimmer for every 50 or 100 yards they swim. "Hopefully, with 12-hours' worth of hard effort, sponsorship pledges will bring in some much-needed funds," shared swim coach Jen Dimino

The Swim-a-Thon will take place on Wednesday, July 16th, from 7am to 7pm. Team members will be at the pool all day to monitor activities and collect flat donations from anyone looking to help.

Jordan Sheffield 16, freestyle, butterfly, IM, Alexandra Sinnery 15, backstroke, IM, Jillian Onishi 16, breaststroke, IM, Sarah Figueroa 14, distance freestyle, IM, Lauren Kenney 13, distance freestyle, backstroke and Jennifer Kenney 15, freestyle, butterfly are returning Nationals veterans, and swam in last years' nationals in Michigan!

Makayla Mason 16, freestyle, breaststroke, Isabella Farago 13, distance freestyle, Cara Fischetti 14, butterfly, breaststroke, Meera Iyengar-Gupta 12, freestyle, butterfly, Kirsten Sjoberg 12, freestyle, breaststroke, Todd Rust 14, freestyle, breaststroke, Matthew Liliedahl 13, IM, butterfly, Ben Mason, age 14, backstroke, breaststroke and Jared Magno, 14, butterfly, IM will swim at their first Nationals in Iowa.

The 2014 National Team includes veterans from last year's national competition, as well as some newcomers.  "Last year we only had nine competing. We are extremely proud to be sending 15 athletes to Des Moines this summer," said Dimino.

Summer Swim Meet Schedule

Saturday, July 12, 8-11: a.m.

Saturday, July 26, 8-11 a.m.

Saturday, August 2, 4:30-7:30 p.m.@ Beede Center Concord

Saturday, August 9, 8 a.m-2 p.m. League Championships @GP&GC

For more information visit Groton Pool and Golf.com.