Summer is the time for so many activities, and swimming tops the list. Now in their ninth season, The New Longview Sea Stallions Swim Team boasts more than 120 swimmers annually, pulling from surrounding neighborhoods such as Longview Farms, Bridlewood, Highland Meadows, Meadows of Winterset and Kessler Ridge.
“We compete with Raintree, Lakewood, Winterset, Bent Tree, Windsboro and Oak Tree Farm,” explained Shannon Yeates, team mom volunteer. “Swimming is a physical activity that lasts a lifetime. We compete with a variety of swimming styles, including freestyle, back stroke, butterfly and breaststroke as well as medley and free relays.”
Laura Bliss, co-league representative, reiterates this noting, “Our team has seen growth and provides a daily summer activity for kids to learn life skills, get to know neighbors, classmates and stay active all summer. As we travel around the city competing, we join as a community to support these athletes.”
As a former Division 1 collegiate swimmer, Marisa Abreu took the reins and developed this neighborhood swim program in 2016.
“At the initial kickoff meeting more than 80 interested families were excited to join but had never been a part of an organized swim team,” Abreu said. “It takes over 100 volunteers to run a timely, regular season meet.
“Parent volunteers are an integral part of making our swim meets successful,” Yeates said, who also has an eight- and eleven-year-old on the team. “This contributes to the family atmosphere surrounding the team and has helped its continued growth.”
In 2022, the team began including an adaptive race for kids who have diverse physical or learning abilities. These kids swim a Victory Lap to start meets. The SSL league set-up registration so these participants are truly part of a team, receiving a shirt, medals and team photo.
James and Erika Grimmer were integral in bringing adaptive swim to the SSL league.
“We started the Victory Lap as a way to try and include our daughter with special needs on the swim team with her brothers and sister. She loves to swim, but adaptive swim opportunities are hard to find. Our hope was that we could find a simple way for her, and other adaptive swimmers, to be included in the fun of a swim meet,” said Erika Grimmer. Erika also said, “Each Wednesday we get to see these individuals included and celebrated and it’s deeply special.”
Melissa Uptegrove, class program teacher of 30 years for adaptive victory lap swimmers, finds the New Longview swim community’s support of neurodiverse children and their families inspiring. Three of these swimmers include Rhys Burke, John Scheuer and Raeney Hubbard.
“The team has acknowledged that these kiddos might do things a bit differently and have made adjustments, allowing them to fully participate at the level of their abilities,” she noted. “Seeing the smiles on their faces and the cheering of families and team members, is incredible. Everyone walks away winners!”
Different food trucks come to the meets, including Burnt Finger food truck owned by Megan Day who lives in New Longview. She is a female pitmaster and one of their gold sponsors.
Gold level sponsors contributing $550 or more include: Hawthorn Bank, Smile Doctors, Lee's Summit Lifestyle Magazine, Salon Metric, Key Foundation, GST, Zen Donkey, Ben Yeates - Prosperity Home Mortgage, Burnt Finger BBQ and Heath Law.
"Our family moved to New Longview from another city as the swim team entered its third year and was pleasantly surprised by the community commitment and camaraderie. Swimming has become our son's favorite sport and now he is in his fifth season as a Sea Stallion," said Misti Preston, parent of Pleasant Lea Middle Schooler. "What swimming has taught my son goes well beyond any other sport he has participated in. It creates life skills he will be able to carry with him for a lifetime, including personal goal setting, team building, and dedication."
Their last home meet was July 2nd, and on July 13th, they participated in the championship meet at Metropolitan Community College.
Visit nlvseastallions.swimtopia.com for more information.