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7 Wilton Wahoo Swimmers Take The Plunge, Sign College Letters Of Intent

WILTON, Conn. — Seven members of the Wilton YMCA Wahoo Swim Team will be heading to college next fall — where they will continue swimming in Division I programs. 

Seven members of the Wilton YMCA Wahoo Swim Team will be heading to college next fall.

Seven members of the Wilton YMCA Wahoo Swim Team will be heading to college next fall.

Photo Credit: contributed
Family members and friends of the swim team members attended the Letter of Intent event at the Wilton  Riverbrook Regional YMCA on Thursday afternoon.

Family members and friends of the swim team members attended the Letter of Intent event at the Wilton Riverbrook Regional YMCA on Thursday afternoon.

Photo Credit: Sandra Diamond Fox

They signed National Letters of Intent to college programs Friday afternoon at the Riverbrook Regional YMCA.

The swimmers, along with the college they will be attending next fall, are as follows:

  • Erik Ryan, 18, Darien: Boston University
  • Jake Kealy, 17, Wilton: College of William & Mary
  • Emma Kauffeld, 17, Wilton: Xavier University
  • Robert Giller, 17, Wilton: University of Virginia
  • James Mostofi, 17, Darien: College of William & Mary
  • Hayleigh McLaughlin, 17, Trumbull: Fairfield University
  • Jack Lynch, (who was not present), 17, Ridgefield: Georgetown University

About two dozen friends and family members of the swimmers attended the event.

The seven swimmers who signed the college letters represent about a third of the seniors on the team, said Randy Erlenbach, director of aquatics who coaches the team.  

“These are the folks who are signing early for Letters of Intent of Division 1 college programs," he said. "This is the largest class we’ve ever had to sign early. We’re very proud to have that number of folks in the history of the Wahoo Race team."

Erlenbach said the team has a large number of seniors this year. "This means that this is going to be a senior-led team and how we perform in our championship meets is going to be determined by the leadership of all our seniors.

"So, we look forward to great things,” he said. “We are going to have a good year.”

Erlenbach has been coach of the team for over seven years, and has coached some of the students for as long as four years.

“From a freshman to a senior, seeing when they come onto the program, they have a lot of hopes and untapped potential," he said. "Then, over the course of four years, we realize what they’re capable of.

"It takes a of of hard work to realize your potential," he said, adding the swimmers train for up to 22 hours a week.

The Wilton Y Yahoos was founded in 1972. There are currently over 300 swimmers on the team, ranging in age from 7 to 18.

Riverbrook Regional Y Wahoo Swim Team programs encompass all ages and levels of ability, from beginners through Olympic competitors who come from across the region. 

For more information on the Wahoo Swim Team programs, call 203-762-8384, Ext. 279 or click here.

The Riverbrook Regional YMCA is at 404 Danbury Road, Wilton.

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