Cincinnati Marlins

Cincinnati Marlins
Founded1961
LeagueUSA Swimming, Ohio LSC
Based inFinneytown, Ohio
ArenaKeating Natatorium, St. Xavier High School
ColorsBlue & Red
PresidentSteven Connock
Head coachBrandon Voorhies
Matt Harrison (Sycamore Site Lead)
Hailey Olson (NKU Site Lead)
MascotMarlin
WebsiteCincinnati Marlins

The Cincinnati Marlins are a non-profit, USA Swimming–affiliated swim team based in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, serving Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Founded in 1961, the team competes at the elementary school, high school, and college levels.[1]

The Marlins operate three training facilities: Northern Kentucky University using the NKU Campus Recreation Center, Five Seasons Sports Club, and its headquarters at Keating Natatorium on the campus of St. Xavier High School in Finneytown, Ohio.[1] The organization was designated a Gold Medal Club by USA Swimming 2006 - 2008 [2] but no longer has that recognition. It is designated a Level 4 club, which is the highest level attainable in the USA Swimming's Club Recognition Program in 2008.[3]

Facilities

Keating Natatorium at St. Xavier High School is a 50-meter indoor facility which can be divided into two 25-yard pools. Keating has seating capacity for over 700 spectators and is the site of many USA Swimming and High School meets and championships. Marlins Central swimmers train at this facility.

Keating Natatorium, used by the Cincinnati Marlins for training and hosting swim meets

Marlins South swimmers train at Northern Kentucky University using the Campus Recreation Center.


History

The Cincinnati Marlins swim team was founded in 1961. Eighty-nine girls were selected for the team the first year, with seventy-seven boys joining the following year. For many years the team was known as the Cincinnati "Pepsi" Marlins, in recognition of the Pepsi-Cola Company's initial donation of $1,000 to the team.[4] In their first decade, the Marlins practiced at Aiken and Courter Technical high schools, but these borrowed facilities could not accommodate the team as it grew to more than 200 swimmers. Their current home facility, Keating Natatorium, was built in 1969. It is named after Charles Keating, Sr.[5] The Marlins and Keating Natatorium host approximately 20 swimming competitions a year.

The Marlins have placed a swimmer on every Olympic Team from 1968 - 2004. Team members have broken numerous National Record and World Records. In 1980 the team captured the United States National Championship. That year, six Marlins’ swimmers were named to the U.S. Olympic team, more than from any other team. The Olympic tradition carries on to today where two Marlins represented the United States in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the 2004 Athens Olympics. Six former Marlins coaches have been named to Olympic Coaching Staffs.[6] The team was named Junior National Team Champions in 1983, 84, 97,98,99, and 2000. In 2005, the Men’s team placed first, the combined team second. Swimming World Magazine named the Cincinnati Marlins 1999’s Best Age-Group Team in America.[1]

Significant achievements include: · 1980 National Team Champions · 23 Olympic Medals · 15 World Records · 19 American Records · 60 National Champions · 6 American Swimmers of the Year [1]

Notable alumni

The Marlins have been home to many accomplished swimmers, including 25 Olympic qualifiers.[7] Together, they have won 23 Olympic medals.[8]

Notable staff

References

  1. ^ a b c d Cincinnati Marlins (2007). "Marlins Advantage Descriptions". Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  2. ^ "Club Excellence Program". USA Swimming. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  3. ^ "Club Recognition Program". USA Swimming. Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  4. ^ Feldon, Jill (February 1983). "The Pride and the Plunge". Cincinnati. p. 30 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Fairley, Kim (2022). Swimming for My Life: A Memoir. Berkeley, California: She Writes Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-64742-256-1 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ USA Swimming (2009). "USA Swimming Historical Documents". Retrieved 2009-03-06.
  7. ^ Cincinnati Marlins (2008-06-21). "Nine Cincinnati Marlins to Swim at Olympic Trials". Cincinnati.com. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on 2013-01-19. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  8. ^ Cincinnati Marlins (2007). "History". Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Cincinnati Marlins (2007). "Cincinnati Marlins Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2008-07-11.
  10. ^ Zipperstein, Leah (2009-12-23). "Olympic medalist dives into coaching" (fee required). The Cincinnati Enquirer. Gannett Company. Retrieved 2009-12-26. [Dan] Ketchum, a Sycamore High graduate who swam for Michigan and competed in the 2004 Olympics, is in his first season as coach at Loveland High. ... But as a swimmer for the Cincinnati Marlins, Ketchum trained with the best...
  11. ^ Kane, Colleen (2004-05-06). "2 locals to enter Swimming Hall of Fame". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Gannett Company. Retrieved 2008-07-11.