YMCA swimmers launch a new season with strong performances
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The Northern Lights YMCA swim team kicked off its 2026-27 season in Marquette, competing in a meet hosted by Wildcat Aquatics Club. NLY joined three other teams -- the hosts, Fox Valley Wave, and M&M Stingrays -- for a day of competition, personal improvements, and strong individual performances.
Head Coach Aimee Tatangelo brought 33 NLY swimmers to the meet where athletes worked to establish early-season times and earn points for their team.
Leading the way for Northern Lights was Dominic Tatangelo, who earned an impressive 42 points and recorded six time improvements. He captured first-place finishes in the 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard butterfly, 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke, 200-yard individual medley, and 500-yard freestyle.
Sierra Tatangelo also had an outstanding meet, earning 36 points and improving her time in the 100-yard individual medley. She claimed first place in all five of her individual events: the 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 100-yard individual medley, and 500-yard freestyle.
Annika Gustafson contributed 28 points, highlighted by first-place finishes in the 50-yard butterfly and 200-yard freestyle. She also improved her times in the 100-yard individual medley, 50-yard butterfly, and 50-yard breaststroke.
“Annika had a tremendous meet,” said said NLY head doach Aimee Tatangelo. “She worked hard in the off season and you can tell. She started the season with very strong swims.”
Allison Deuter and Ella Murphy each earned 24 points. Deuter captured first place in the 50-yard backstroke, 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard butterfly, and 100-yard freestyle. Murphy also earned four first-place finishes, winning the 50-yard backstroke, 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, and 100-yard butterfly.
Other standout performances included Cira Windell, who earned 23 points and won both the 50-yard and 100-yard breaststroke events, and Bryce Johnson, who earned 20 points with first-place finishes in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke. Catherine Majors added 18 points while improving her times in the 100-yard butterfly, 50-yard freestyle, and 100-yard freestyle.
Several additional swimmers made their mark through time improvements and valuable team points. George Fornetti earned 15 points while improving in three events, and Miriam Gustafson earned 14 points, highlighted by a first-place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke. Kelsey Stanek also earned 14 points and improved her times in both the 50-yard and 100-yard backstroke. Aubrey Dixon contributed 13 points, including a first-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley, while Ava Cowen earned 13 points and improved her times in three events.
Time improvements were an important part of the meet for swimmers throughout the NLY team. From experienced competitors to younger athletes building confidence, swimmers demonstrated progress in multiple events. Alexzandra Beaurjey improved in the 25-yard backstroke and 50-yard freestyle while earning 11 points. Izzy Peters recorded time improvements in five events, and Ava McLaughlin improved her times in the 50-yard backstroke, 50-yard freestyle, and 100-yard freestyle.
"These first meets are about much more than the final results," Tatangelo noted. "I was proud to see our swimmers competing hard, improving their times, and supporting one another. Whether an athlete was earning points, finishing first, or achieving a personal best, there were plenty of reasons to be excited about the start of our season. We have a great group of swimmers, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they continue to grow throughout the year."
The Northern Lights YMCA swim team will return to competition in November, hosting its first home meet of the season at the Northern Lights YMCA in Iron Mountain.