Team History
SWAT originated in the fall of 1982 as the result of the combination of two community based local programs that were both struggling with typical small club survival problems. By combining the Whitesharks of Whitnall and the Otters of Greenfield, numerous problems were resolved. Because of significant intercommunity cooperation between Franklin, Greendale, and Greenfield, swimmers were now able to train within their own ability groups and at separate practice times. According to program founder Dale Schrank, this is one of the more critical aspects to the success of SWAT today.
SWAT currently runs a learn-to-swim novice program (Swim America) that serves over 1,500 each year. (This is a spring/summer-only program due to pool and instructor availability.)
The primary function of SWAT, however, is to promote the benefits associated with competitive swimming. The competitive team averages about 300 swimmers per season. We have practice locations in Milwaukee, Hales Corners, Muskego, Greenfield, Greendale, Franklin, New Berlin, and West Allis, Wisconsin. In the summer months we utilize the Wilson Park, 50-meter outdoor pool.
SWAT has a history of success with swimmers from the area:
- Many of our club swimmers have paid for or supplemented their college education with swimming scholarships
- Over 50 swims have been ranked in the top 16 in the country
- SWAT currently owns several state records in Wisconsin
- Four swimmers, who originated with SWAT, have gone on to make Olympic Trial cuts
- There have been hundreds of SWAT individual and relay Wisconsin state champions
SWAT has also been successful in qualifying individual swimmers and relay teams for both the Junior National Championships, and the Senior National Championships.
Both the Board and coaching staff of the Southwest Aquatic Team are confident that with continuing parental and community support, our program will continue to set the standard for competitive swimming in the state of Wisconsin.
