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A Season of Growth, Gratitude, and Legacy
Dear GTS Families,
Every year, as summer approaches, I find myself standing on the pool deck with mixed emotions.
There is excitement for what lies ahead, pride in what has been accomplished, gratitude for the athletes, families, and coaches who make this program special, and reflection on the journey we have shared together. Another season is coming to a close. Another group of seniors is preparing to leave the pool deck they have called home for years.
Another chapter in the story of GTS is being written.
For coaches, this time of year is always bittersweet.
We spend countless hours helping young athletes chase goals, overcome setbacks, build confidence, and discover what they are capable of becoming. Then one day, almost without warning, the young swimmer who nervously walked through our doors becomes a confident young adult ready to leave them.
And that is exactly the point.
That is the job.
The true success of a program is not measured by banners hanging from walls, championship trophies, or record boards. Those achievements are meaningful, but they are not our greatest accomplishment.
Our greatest accomplishment is watching young people leave our program stronger than when they arrived.
When athletes leave GTS prepared for college, equipped with healthy habits, confident in themselves, connected to lifelong fitness, and excited for their future, we know we have succeeded.
This year carries a significance that is difficult to put into words.
More than a decade ago, I returned to GTS—not simply as a coach, but as someone who once stood on these same pool decks as an athlete. My goal was never simply to build faster swimmers. It was to help restore a culture, create opportunities, and build a safe environment where athletes could thrive. I wanted to create a program where excellence and enjoyment could coexist, where athletes would be developed as people first and swimmers second, and where success would be measured not only by results in the water, but by the quality of people who emerged from the program.
Today, I am watching some of the youngest athletes from those early years graduate.
They learned to race, to lead, to persevere, and to believe in themselves within these lanes. They have now completed the entire developmental pathway of our program and are moving forward as accomplished athletes, leaders, and remarkable young adults.
For me, this is more than a graduating class.
It is a reminder that the vision we believed in years ago has become a reality. The culture has endured, the mission remains strong, and the impact of this program can now be seen not only in our athletes, but in the lives they go on to lead.
Today, 100% of our graduating athletes continue on to colleges and universities. They leave with a balanced mindset and healthy relationships with sport, fitness, and wellness, along with the confidence and habits needed to thrive long after their competitive careers have ended.
That has always been the mission.
When I returned to GTS, I did not know exactly what the future would look like. I simply knew what I hoped this program could become. I hoped we could create a place where athletes felt supported, challenged, and inspired. A place where excellence was pursued without losing sight of joy. A place where young people could discover confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Today, as I watch these athletes graduate, I see that vision reflected back in ways I could never have imagined.
The greatest measure of success is not the times on a scoreboard or the banners hanging from a wall. It is seeing former athletes return years later and trust us with their own children. It is hearing from alumni who still carry lessons learned on these pool decks into their careers, families, and lives. Those moments remind us that what we are building here extends far beyond swimming.
For a program that has been shaping lives since 1989, that is perhaps the most meaningful accomplishment of all.
Our philosophy is rooted in the Japanese principle of Kaizen—the belief that becoming a little better every day leads to extraordinary outcomes over time. We teach our athletes that success is not built through one workout, one race, or one season. It is built through thousands of daily decisions, consistent effort, and a commitment to growth both in and out of the water.
Those values have helped shape GTS into a program that now competes on a national stage year after year.
Over the years, our athletes have represented GTS from coast to coast, competing in Hawaii, California, Florida, and countless places in between. Every trip, every competition, and every achievement has represented another step forward in our collective journey.
Now, we are proud to celebrate another historic milestone.
This week, Ellie Groce and Marcus Garland will travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, to compete at the Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet. This marks the first international competition for GTS in recent history and represents another exciting chapter in our program's growth.
Joining them will be Andy Stockinger, GTS Assistant Head Coach and Crystal Garland, Club Greenwood Director of Aquatics, as they proudly represent our team on the international stage.
In true GTS fashion, they will travel as the "Dream Team," sporting custom A3 apparel that celebrates not only their achievement, but the journey that brought them there. While the shirts may say Dream Team, anyone who has watched these athletes train knows there is very little that happened by chance. Dreams are wonderful, but what we celebrate is the commitment, resilience, discipline, and daily work that transformed those dreams into reality.
For me, seeing GTS athletes compete internationally is deeply meaningful. Years ago, I stood on these same pool decks as an athlete. To now see our athletes competing from coast to coast—and now internationally in Canada—is a reminder of how far this program has come and what is possible when athletes, families, and coaches commit themselves to a shared vision.
This accomplishment belongs to all of us.
It belongs to every athlete who showed up when it was hard.
Every parent who sat through long meets, early mornings, and endless miles on the road.
Every coach who invested their time and energy into helping young people grow.
Every volunteer, official, and supporter who believed in what GTS could become.
This milestone may have Ellie and Marcus's names attached to it, but it reflects the efforts of an entire community.
As we celebrate our graduating seniors and international competitors, we also look toward the future with tremendous excitement.
Our mission remains unchanged: to develop exceptional athletes, exceptional people, and a program that positively impacts lives for generations to come.
We will continue to grow.
We will continue to invest in athlete development.
We will continue to add talented coaches and leaders.
Most importantly, we will continue building upon the culture that makes GTS such a special place.
To our graduating seniors, thank you.
Thank you for your leadership, commitment, work ethic, and example. You have helped shape the culture of this team, and your influence will remain long after your final GTS practice.
To our athletes, thank you for trusting us with your journey.
To our families, thank you for trusting us with your children. Thank you for the early mornings, the carpools, the meet weekends, the volunteer hours, and the unwavering support you provide. Thank you for allowing us to do what we love most—help young people discover what they are capable of achieving.
Everything we celebrate today—from graduating seniors to international competition opportunities—exists because of the partnership between athletes, families, and coaches.
Together, we have built something special.
As we approach closing another season, I am reminded that every athlete who walks through our doors adds a new chapter to the story of GTS.
Some chapters are measured in best times.
Some are measured in championships.
Some are measured in college commitments and international competitions.
But the most important chapters are measured in growth, character, friendships, and the lasting impact we have on one another.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey.
Congratulations to Ellie, Marcus, all of our graduating seniors, and every athlete who contributed to another remarkable season.
The future is bright.
The mission continues.
The legacy continues.
And for the first time in a long time, as I look around our pool deck, I can honestly say that the future of GTS feels even brighter than its past.
For a program built on the belief that we can all become a little better every day, there is no greater accomplishment—and no greater reason for optimism.
The best is yet to come.
With gratitude and pride,
Coach Genevieve
Head Coach, GTS
Important Dates
June 3 – International Team Send-Off Celebration
Athletes will enjoy treats following practice and have the opportunity to sign cards for Ellie Groce and Marcus Garland before their departure to Vancouver on Thursday morning. Celebrations will take place during regularly scheduled practice times.
July 1 – Senior Send-Off Celebration
July 1 will serve as the final official practice day for graduating seniors as we celebrate their contributions and accomplishments.
- Athletes intending to continue swimming beyond July 1 should contact the coaching staff so that any necessary billing adjustments can be made.
Thank you for being part of the GTS family. The best chapters of our story are still being written.
GO, GTS!
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