Door County YMCA Doorfins Nationals Update

It was a very memorable year. From the 8-under girls winning the YMCA State Championship, 6 state records, 14 Individual and Relay State Champions, to 19 YMCA National Championship cut times, and 4 National relay cut times. We had great hope for a superb national meet, and it certainly was exciting.

Our first race at Nationals was the 200 Breaststroke. Max placed 6th in the Prelims, and moved up to 4th in the Finals at night with a personal best time of 2:02.0. He was just out touched for 3rd by 1/10th of a second. Our 200 Free relay also swam, placing 17th, 1 spot out of Finals. It was our best time of the year.

Our 400 free relay placed 23rd, and our 200 Medley swam beautifully, but disqualified on a false start. The time would have placed us 11th going into finals.

Macoy Neinas had a tremendous meet, swimming all 3 relays with best times in every race. Macoy and Max teamed up for a great start in the 200 medley, Macoy swimming his best time in the back and Max swimming the fastest split in the meet (24.77) in the breast. 

Ryan Ehlinger had a great meet with best times in the 200 butterfly, placing 51st with a 1:56.4, and 111 in the 100 butterfly with a time of 53.06.

Our best swim was on Thursday night in the 100 Breaststroke. Max McHugh was seated 2nd going into finals against the 200 Breast National Champion. This was also the Wisconsin High School State Champion in the 100 Breaststroke.  I know, it is odd that Wisconsin has the 2 fastest breaststroke swimmers in the nation.  The race was very quick, with 6 swimmers posting faster times than Prelims.  Max led from the start of the race, swimming the fastest front 50 and fastest 2nd 50 for a 54.89. He dropped over 1 second from prelims. His time is the 5th fastest time in history, with Conner McHugh having the top 2 times and National Record. Max is also 15, the youngest Men’s National Champion in history. The next 15 year old swimmer placed 39th. No brothers have ever repeated as National Champions back-to back in history. Interesting story. 

We also finished  in the 100 butterfly with Jared Klika ( 42nd-51.42)and Ryan Scripp (65th-51.89). Ryan Scripp also placed 64th in the 200 free. We placed 18th as a team for the meet.

A Note From Our CEO

Greetings, 

This weekend the Christian world will celebrate the Easter holiday. Over the many years that I have been involved with the YMCA as both a volunteer and staff member, I have thought often about how Christian values, which guide our programming and work, might not only survive but thrive in an ever changing and complex world. I continue to believe that the need for the YMCA and our mission based and values driven programming has never been more important!

The Easter season is a time of new beginnings and hope for a better tomorrow. Years ago, it was suggested that the YMCA is "an island of hope in a sea of opportunities in many communities". I believe that this is especially true in Door County. The Christian values which are at the very foundation of our organization require that we accept and welcome all individuals and families regardless of the color of their skin, the religion they choose or their financial ability to pay. I have maintained my faith in this good organization because the Y should be and is, the one place where the playing field is leveled and all are welcomed.

In this season of hope, our board and staff want to be a regular part of your life. Your YMCA is so much more than a "rec center". We care for the very young in our two child care facilities and work with the most senior of our citizens to provide programs like memory and balance classes. Our LiveSTRONG at the Y program for cancer survivors offers those challenged by the ravages of cancer a new outlook on life. In mid-May, we will welcome more than 300 dads and their daughters to our annual "Father - Daughter Ball" providing memories for a lifetime to young girls who seem to grow up too fast. The list of programs could go on and on....

We join you in looking forward to the coming Easter weekend and the advent of warmer spring temperatures. We also welcome back our many seasonal visitors and we hope that you will continue to use and enjoy the YMCA in the months ahead.

Best wishes to you and your family for a safe and blessed Easter weekend. We look forward to serving you and seeing you often this spring!

No Classes: April 4 & 5

YMCA is Closed : Easter Sunday, April 5

DCY Doorfins 2015 State Swimming Results

In a year that marked one of the most successful years in team history, the DCY Doorfin swim team save their best efforts for the last meet – the YMCA State Championships held at the Schroeder Aquatic Center in Brown Deer, WI. The team place 5^th out of the 24 teams in the combined score, girls placing 7^th and the boys placing 3^rd in the meet. The team recorded 79% best times for the meet in 172 total events. (151 individual and 21 relays). The 8-under girls’ team stole the show, placing 1^st in Wisconsin in total points.

Highlights included a spectacular performance in both the 100 medley relay (Cassie Rankin, Sylvia Townsend, Julia Michalski, and Katie Norton) placing 2^nd and State Champions in the 100 free relay.  Cassie Rankin had a spectacular meet, crowned the State Champion in the 25 free, 50 free, and 100 individual medley. Cassie was out- touched in the 100 free by less then a 1/10^th of a second, just missing the full sweep of 4 individual State Champion titles. Our team ended up with 6 State Records, 14 State Championship titles, 11 – 2^nd places, and 6 -3^rd places in the meet.

State Champion Relays: 8 – under girls 100 free relay, 13-14 boys 200 medley relay (Brock Aune, Trent Ehlers, Spencer Klika, Max McHugh). 

15-18 boys 200 medley relay and 15-18 boys 200 free relay (Macoy Neinas, Jared Klika, Ryan Scripp, Max McHugh) both of these relays were set new state records. The same boys were also State Champions in the 15-18 boys 400 free relay.  

Individual State Champions:

Cassie Rankin (above)

Jared Klika, 15-18 boys 50 freestyle

Ryan Scripp, 100 freestyle- State Record

Max McHugh won all of his individual events, setting 3 state records in 4 event; 13-14 boys 100 Breast-State Record, 200 Breast-State Record, 50 Freestyle-State Record and 200 Individual Medley-State Champion. It was a tough weekend for Max, swimming 5 relays and 4 individual events-ending with 8 State Championship titles, 1-2^nd place.

We will be taking 5 swimmers, Macoy Neinas, Ryan Ehlinger, Ryan Scripp, Jared Klika, and Max McHugh, to the YMCA National Championships in Greensboro North Carolina next week.

In one of the most exciting events of the meet, Katie Kaminski also qualified for Nationals in the 200 breaststroke, dropping 3 seconds in the race to make the time cut. We qualified 19 events for Nationals this past weekend.

2^nd Place Finishers:

Cassie Rankin, 8-under 100 free and  8-under girls 100 medley relay

Abigial Schauske, 11-12 girls 100 butterfly

Katie Kaminski, 15-18 girls 200 breaststroke

Drew Rass, 9-10 100 breaststroke

Brokc Anue, 13-14 100 breaststroke and boys 13-14 200 medley relay

Jared Klika, 15-18 boys 100 butterfly

Jesper Johnson, 11-12 500 freestyle

Ryan Scripp, 15-18 boys 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly

3^rd Place Finishers:

Brock Anue, 13-14 boys 200 breaststroke

Drew Rass, 9-10 boys 50 breast and 100 individual medley

Christiana Brau, 9-10 girls  200 freestyle

Jared Klika, 15-18 boys 100 free

Ryan Scripp, 15-19 200 individual medley

Our 9-10 boys also placed 4^th in the 200 free and medley relays.

All time for the meet can be viewed on the WSACstate meet website.

Chuck and Pat Stage were recognized as the newest members of the YUSA's Book of Honors as top donors at the Door County YMCA's annual Community Leaders Breakfast last Thursday, March 5. 

Pictured (left to right): Tom Beerntsen, Door County YMCA CEO, Pat and Chuck Stage

MY Y WEEK KICKS OFF ANNUAL CAMPAIGN FOR DOOR COUNTY YMCA

    The Door County YMCA is launching its’ Annual Campaign on Monday, February 9th with “My Y Week”. The Y’s Annual Campaign ensures that everyone in Door County has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive with the great programs offered at the YMCA.  With the financial help of the community, this year’s campaign has a goal of $525,000 which will help individuals and families through our income based membership program to participate in a variety of programs while supporting community outreach programs which tackle the problems of hunger prevention with our Summer Foods Program, chronic diseases with LiveSTRONG at the Y, free health fairs and so much more.

    This year’s Annual Campaign theme is: “Imagine the Possibilities” and will feature many great fun events based on the lives and songs of “the Beatles”.  

• On Monday, February 9th, please join us and cheer on local celebrities at our Northern Door and Sturgeon Bay Program Centers for “the Long and Winding Treadmill Challenge”.
• On Tuesday, February 10th, take the “Beatles Trivia Challenge “and win fabulous prizes while testing your knowledge of the Fab 4.
• On Wednesday, February 11th, join us in our “Yellow Submarine” and enjoy free snacks, treats and submarine sandwiches.
• On Thursday, February 12th, we will have crafts and activities in our lobbies while “grooving” to the sounds of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.
• To cap off the festivities on Friday, February 13th, with “Ain’t She Sweet” treats on “We Love Our Members Day”.

Together and with a “little help from our friends”, My Y Week and the Annual Campaign help to support our friends and neighbors to make our communities stronger by providing financial assistance for programs and services which support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.  To learn how you can support the Door County YMCA’s Annual Campaign, please visit: http://www.doorcountyymca or contact Cindy Weber at 920-743-4949 or cweber@doorcountyymca.org

A BETTER BAG OF GROCERIES

Ministry Door County Medical Center and the Door County YMCA would like to extend an invitation to join us for our upcoming Workplace Wellness Roundtable which will take place from 8:00 am – 9:00 am on Wednesday, February 4th at the YMCA’s Lansing Avenue Program Center, 876 Lansing Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. Our featured speaker will be Lauren Lindsley, RDN, CD at Festival Foods, who will discuss the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System along with other free nutrition related resources offered at Festival Foods which will help you and your employees to shop smarter in the supermarket!

Snacks and refreshments will be served at this FREE event which is a great opportunity for CEO’s. Business Owners and Human Resource Directors to learn more about workplace wellness initiatives. Please register and save your spot today by calling Brenda Rosenstiel at 920-743-4949 or email brosenstiel@doorcountyymca.org   

Baylake Bank Playground Coming to YMCA Peterson Park

The Door County YMCA announced today a new community playground will be built early this summer directly north of the Sturgeon Bay Y Program Center in YMCA Peterson Park.   The Door County YMCA will partner with KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. 

Planning for the playground will begin in late winter when the KaBOOM! team will host a Design Day event during which members of the community – from adults to children – will gather to develop the theme for the playground. Kids will put crayons to paper and draw their dream playground. Elements from their drawings will be incorporated into the final design of the playground that will be built in June with the help of 200 community volunteers who will join together to build the playground in a single day. Design Day is also the first meeting for the playground committee that will determine how best to create and catalyze the new playspace so that the kids can get the balanced and active play they need to thrive.

Primary funding for the playground will be provided by a special gift from Baylake Bank. “The Peterson family has a long and significant history with our Bank, and their philanthropic example and passion for children and families has helped to make Sturgeon Bay and Door County a great place to live, “ said Robert J. Cera, President and CEO of Baylake Bank.  “We believe that this contribution is a strong example of our commitment to this community and the individuals and families we serve each day” Cera added. An additional gift to assist with the completion of the $100,000 playground project was provided by Errico and Patrizia Auricchio, longtime friend and neighbors of the Petersons.  The Raibrook Foundation will also provide support for the playground project.

The Baylake Bank Playground will face 19th Place and is part of a master plan for the ten acre Peterson Park.    A public restroom, made possible with the assistance of the Raibrook Foundation, is currently under construction and will serve the park area.  

Initial improvements to the property also include the installation of a three quarter of mile of walking path, a small amphitheater for youth programming and exercise programs, an additional sports field and a prairie garden area at the north end of the property.  Future improvements, to be made as funding is available, will include a multipurpose sports court, sand volleyball courts and splash pad.  A program to honor or memorialize friends and families with trees and park benches will be announced this spring.

“The YMCA is pleased to be able to provide this unique public space for our community,” said   YMCA CEO Tom Beerntsen. “This park is another extraordinary testimony to the generosity of the Peterson family.  The willingness of Baylake Bank, the Raibrook Foundation and the Auricchio family to support this special community project is greatly appreciated. I look forward to joining together with our volunteers this June to construct a playground that will be a gift to our community,” Beerntsen concluded.

Contact: 

Tom Beerntsen, YMCA, tbeerntsen@doorcountyymca.org, 920-743-4949 

Kristine Austria, KaBOOM!, kaustria@kaboom.org, 202-464-6427

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About KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,000 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 7.4 million children. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy lives and communities. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation attwitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.