For the past three years, the Northampton Swim Booster Club (NSC) has provided a viable outlet for beginning swimmers and a springboard for those who advance to the high school program and beyond.

Recently, swimmers Brynn DelVecchio, Alyssa Gerstenberg, Matthew Greer, and Gregory Milnes qualified and participated in the United States Swimming (USS) Junior Olympics Meet that was held in Sewell, NJ. All of them swam in a 25-yard pool instead of the usual 50-yard pool.

DelVecchio, who is 12, typically swims in the 50 backstroke and freestyle; Gerstenberg (12 year old) swims in the 50 fly; Greer (10) swims in the 50 back and free; and Milnes (12) swims in the 50 back.

In a meet in Emmaus in February, Gerstenberg took a first in the 100 fly and Milnes claimed the top spots in the 50 back, 100 back, and 100 free in the same meet. All of the swimmers have been in the program for three years.

The NSC is open to youngsters five -and up and has offered programs on all levels. They are affiliated with the USS, which is the largest outlet of guided swimming activities for swimming. The NSC has offered programs for children throughout most of the calendar year.

"We are very proud to have those children participate in the Junior Olympics," said NSC vice president Chad Gerstenberg. "Getting there is their Super Bowl for them. That's where they want to be. It is important to get there and the competition is tough.They swam a shorter course than normal because of the season. We have had a solid program here for three years and have produced swimmers who have swum at the high school.

"This season, we will have 11 meets."

The NSC schedule typically will begin in the October and run through the summer. In addition, the NSC also has a program titled "Swim for your school" in which students who attend any Northampton boro schools, the George Wolf School, Lehigh Township schools, Moore Township schools, and Good Shepherd and Sacred Heart schools can swim for their respective schools in programs that began in mid-March and will end in early May.

Those schools have met and will meet in bi or tri-meets usually two or three times per week. A championship meet involving all schools will be held May 11. The NSC will continue to have program available during the summer months as well as a summer swimming league with other local swimming programs.

"This has proved to be a good outlet for many children," said Gerstenberg. "We have a good foundation and we will continue to grow in the future."

For more information, email info@northamptonswim.com.