Gator Gazette
April 2026
Upcoming Events
Long Course Season is Here!
We’re kicking off the 2026 Long Course season in the best way possible—with a meet this weekend! We can’t wait to see our Alligators back in action, racing, cheering, and building momentum for an exciting spring and summer ahead.
With a full schedule of practices, meets, and team events on deck, be sure to review the key dates below and mark your calendars. Staying organized will help set everyone up for a smooth, successful, and fun-filled season!
The fun doesn’t stop there! Keep your eyes open for more team bonding activities, Dine-N-Shares, and Parents’ Night Out events coming soon!
Let’s make it a great season!
REMINDER - For specific and updated practice times, please visit our Team Calendar.
5/2/26 & 5/3/26: Daniel Jaekel Classic 2026
📍 RecPlex Aqua Arena - 9900 Terwal Terrace, Pleasant Prairie, WI
5/8/26 - 5/10/26: BDSC May Mania
📍 RecPlex Aqua Arena - 9900 Terwall Terrace, Pleasant Prairie, WI
5/30/26 & 5/31/26: PPD Shark Frenzy
📍 Birchwood Pool - 435 W. Illinois, Palatine, IL
6/12/26 - 6/14/26: Elkhart Splash Bash (Travel Meet) - Click Here for information regarding our team hotel block.
📍 Elkhart Aquatic Center - 200 Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, IN
6/26/26 - 6/28/26: Alligator Aquatics 2026 Summer Splash (Hosted Meet)
📍 RecPlex Aqua Arena - 9900 Terwall Terrace, Pleasant Prairie, WI
7/10/26 - 7/12/26: PPD Summer Splash
📍 Birchwood Pool - 435 W. Illinois, Palatine, IL
7/17/26 - 7/19/26: Illinois Regional Championships
📍 TBD
7/23/26 - 7/26/26: Illinois Swimming Senior State Championships
📍 FMC Natatorium - 275 Plaza Dr., Westmont, IL
7/25/26 - 7/26/26: Illinois Swimming 10 & U State Championships
📍Libertyville HS - 708 W Park Ave., Libertyville, IL
7/30/26- 8/2/26: Illinois Swimming Age Group (11-14) State Championships
📍 Hobart Aquatic Center - 2211 East 10th Street, Hobart, IN
Banquet Thank You!
What an amazing evening! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us at the banquet! We loved celebrating this past season with all of you! From the laughter and team spirit to the well-deserved recognition of our athletes, it was a night to remember.
Don’t miss the highlight video and slideshow! Relive all the amazing moments that made this season so special!
Celebrating our Graduating Seniors
We are so proud to recognize our incredible graduating seniors who have left a lasting mark on Alligator Aquatics!
Congratulations to Diana Gruszeczka (Prospect High School), Kuba Pamula (John Hersey High School), and Sophiea Matsuk (William Howard Taft High School).
Your dedication, leadership, and commitment in and out of the pool have helped shape our team in so many ways. You’ve set the bar high for those who follow, and your impact will be felt long after you’ve moved on to your next chapter. Congratulations and best wishes from your Alligator Aquatics Family.
We can’t wait to see all that you accomplish! Once an Alligator, always an Alligator!
Safe Sport Update: Help Us Maintain Our 2026 Certification
As we begin the long course season, Alligator Aquatics is continuing our work toward Safe Sport 2026 Recertification. Being a Safe Sport Certified club is something we are proud of. It reflects our commitment to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for every swimmer.
To complete our recertification, we need participation from our Alligator families:
🔗 Access Safe Sport Courses: USA Swimming
Parents: Please complete the Parents Guide to Misconduct in Sport course through USA Swimming University.
🔗 Parents Guide to Misconduct in Sport
Both parents want credit? Each parent must complete the course through their own USA Swimming/SWIMS account linked to the swimmer. This is especially important for families where both parents volunteer with the club.
Athletes 18+: Athletes who are 18 or turning 18 must complete Athlete Protection Training/APT through their own USA Swimming account to remain a member in good standing. This is an annual requirement and is separate from the 13-17 athlete course.
🔗 Athlete Protection Training/APT
Athletes 13+: Athletes must complete the SafeSport for Youth Athletes 13-17 course through their own USA Swimming/SWIMS account in order for it to count toward our certification.
🔗 SafeSport For Youth Athletes (13-17)
🔗 How to create a login for your child
Athletes 12 & Under: This course is not counted toward certification, but we encourage families to complete the age-appropriate course together.
The training is online, quick to complete, and counts for 18 months once finished. Every completed course helps us strengthen our certification and continue living into the values of our club.
Swim meet tip: Take advantage of the downtime during the next two swim meet weekends and knock out your Safe Sport training while you wait for Meet Mobile to update.
Thank you for helping Alligator Aquatics continue to lead by example in swimmer safety.
Questions? Please reach out to the Alligator Aquatics Safe Sport Coordinator.
Beyond the Waterline
Brady Shines in Science!
We’re excited to celebrate an incredible achievement by one of our own!
Brady proudly represented his school, St. Francis de Sales, at the Illinois Junior Academy of Science State Exposition (April 24–25, 2026) and earned a Gold Award!
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, he was also named a Thermo Fisher JIC Nominee—an honor awarded to the top 10% of science projects among 6th–8th grade students. With this outstanding accomplishment, Brady now has the opportunity to advance to the national competition in Washington DC!
Way to go, Brady! Your hard work, dedication, and curiosity both in and out of the pool truly represent what it means to be an Alligator!
