- December 25, 2024
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The Hydro4 Swim Team and the Volusia Flagler Family YMCA have hired a U.S. Swimming national champion as head coach.
Brennan Gravley, of Las Vegas, started his position with the Ormond Beach club in July, according to a press release. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and competed professionally in the 2023 Pan American Games, where he took home a gold medal after winning the men's 10 km.
”The Volusia Flagler Family YMCA is thrilled to welcome Coach Brennan to our Hydro4 and YMCA family,” Chief Operating Officer Katie Lyle said. “Swimming and the YMCA have a long history together, with swim lessons starting at the YMCA in 1909 and competitive swimming soon after that. Coach Brennan comes to us with a long history of swimming accolades, knowledge and enthusiasm. His energy level and love for the sport were exactly what we were looking for when we started this search. Hydro4 is a strong, highly competitive team, and we know that Coach Brennan will be able to take these kids to the next level.”
In addition to his success at the U.S. National Championship in 2022 and 2023 in the 5km and 10km events, Gravley has also competed in the World Aquatics Championships. At UF, he earned a bronze medal in the men’s 1650-meter freestyle at the SEC Championships and was a finalist in the men’s 1500- meter freestyle at the 2021 U.S. Olympics Trials.
Gravley, who earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management, said in the press release that "the diverse culture and beautiful weather of Volusia County made accepting the position an easy choice."
“Besides the environment where Hydro4 is based, I quickly grew fond of the community that runs strong within the team,” he said. “Between the parents, coaches and athletes, I felt that the positive energy was something I wanted to be a part of. There is also a great deal of passion for the sport from all the members, and that excited me quite a bit."
