The Burbank Stingrays swim team (BSA) was formed in 1973.
The purpose is to train young swimmers through our progressive instructional swim program and prepare them for a competitive swim program. In our program, we teach swimmers refined stroke techniques and other basics of competition swimming while improving their endurance. We are a swim team, and as such, we have the children participate in meets to help chart their progress over time. The parents and the head coach together should determine if the child is ready for competition. We expect that if you sign up, please show up!
Head Coach: Wally Forsythe
Coach Forsythe has been coaching the Stingrays since 2007. Wally was a diver and swimmer during high school at Oak Lawn. Coach Forsythe led the team to many 2nd and 3rd place season finishes. Each year, the team has many new swimmers learn the sport and many returning athletes reaching their individual goals. The team has been represented with regional swimmers the past three years.
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Coach: Allysa Divinagracia
Coach Allysa has been coaching since 2008. She was a Stingray and swam with the Reavis girls swim team for four years, specializing in butterfly. She graduated from Reavis in 2008. You may have seen her at the Burbank Pool this summer, she worked as a lifeguard for the past few years. Coach Allysa works with technique and endurance, we are excited to have Coach Allysa return again this year.
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Coach: Mike Forsythe
Coach Mike is our newest coach. He is a former Stingray and Reavis Ram Swimmer for four years, specializing in breaststroke and freestyle. He graduated from Reavis in 2009. Mike helps the team with technique and we are glad to have him with us!
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Parent Coaches: Syliva Olivo, Pat Walsh and Ann Renfree
We are pleased to acknowledge the our parents that have been certified coaches.
BSA Board
President, Sylvia Olivo
Vice President, Wally Forsythe
Treasurer, Linda Forsythe
Secretary, TBD (open position)
TRANSPORTATION
The team does not provide transportation to away meets. Parents are encouraged to carpool with others. Please refer to the "Schedule Page" for directions to up-coming meets.
OFFICIALS
At all meets, there are timers, stroke and turn judges, starters, and a referee. Sometimes, we will have officials. The job for these people is to assure that the competition is run safely and fairly. Occasionally, a meet official will have to disqualify (DQ) a swimmer for a false start or stroke infraction. The swimmer receives no official time in that event. Explain to your swimmer that this is nothing to be upset about. Even Olympic swimmers are disqualified during their meets. We are always looking for parents to become officials, so watch for announcements for training clinics and think about joining as an official. A good way to begin is to work as a timer at our home meets. See you there!
The Burbank Stingrays are a proud member of Illinois Swimming. Learn More
