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The Greenwich YWCA Dolphins Swim Team is a competitive Age Group and Senior team that is ranked in the top 100 of USA Swimming teams in the country by virtue of a four-year streak of USA Swimming Silver Club recognition. A member club of USA Swimming, the Dolphins compete primarily in the Local Swimming Committee (LSC) known as Connecticut Swimming. The team’s home pool is at YWCA Greenwich, 259 East Putnam Ave, in central Greenwich. Additionally, the team uses the Greenwich High School pool and more recently has accessed long course time at the Velocity Center in Norwalk.
- Dolphins Swim Team. For swimmers (ages 5 to 18) the YW's offers a competitive, age-group program that holds memberships in Connecticut Swimming, Connecticut Y Swim League and United States Swimming, Inc. Now in its 49th year, the team provides the community with a program that teaches members teamwork while building physical and emotional strength as well as speed and endurance.
- Junior Aquatics. The classes build on introductory training with confidence and strength-building instruction for ages 5- 12. Classes for 13-18 year-olds are available as well.
Swimmers are encouraged to reach for the highest possible level of competitive achievement and development. Many members of the older National Team also compete at local high schools on water polo teams.
All participants are evaluated by the coaching staff for placement into one of six team levels. Stroke, start and turn technique instruction, endurance training and mental preparedness are all key team components of the Dolphins winning tradition.
Swimmers interested in joining the Dolphins Swim Team should contact Head Coach Nick Cavataro by email or by phone at 203-869-6501, ext 121. For more information, check out our website at www.greenwichdolphins.com.
YWCA Greenwich Membership is required for all programs.
Dolphin Swim Team Coaches
Nick Cavataro, Head Coach
Nick Cavataro has led the Dolphins since 1977, making the 2026-2027 season his 50th year at YWCA Greenwich. Under his direction, the team has achieved remarkable success, including three qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Trials, two for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and one for the 2024 Trials. The Dolphins also won YWCA National Championships in 1982, 1984, and 1985, along with numerous runner-up finishes.
A former distance freestyle and butterfly standout at Iona Prep, Manhattan College, and the Gotham Aquatic Association, Nick was a three-time All-Metro Collegiate selection. Beyond the Dolphins, he serves as Head Men’s and Women’s Coach and Director of Aquatics at Iona College and has guided Westchester Country Club to eight league titles. An ASCA Level 4 coach, he is active in both national and collegiate swim coaching associations and has presented at international clinics. Nick and his wife, Susan, have six children who have all grown up here in Greenwich.
David Fine, Associate Head Coach
David, a Stamford native, brings a lifelong passion for swimming to his role as Head Age Group Coach. His career began as a standout swimmer, earning recognition as a Junior National qualifier, YMCA national finalist, and team record holder for the New Canaan Y Caimans, West Hill High School, and Newfield Club. He went on to swim collegiately at the University of Miami and later earned advanced degrees in Mathematics and Education from Fairfield University and the University of Bridgeport.
With more than two decades of coaching experience, David has worked with programs at New Canaan High School, the New Canaan and Stamford YMCAs, and currently serves as head coach at the Newfield Club in the Fairfield County Swim League. His dedication to athlete development has earned him recognition as Coach of the Year from both the FCIAC and CIAC, as well as Connecticut Swimming’s Age Group Coach of the Year in 2023. At YWCA Greenwich, David continues to inspire swimmers with his deep knowledge, competitive background, and commitment to excellence.
Assistant Coaches
Whitney Welch
A Greenwich native now living in Stamford, Whitney enters her 31st season with the YWCA Greenwich Dolphins Swim Team. She swam competitively at St. Lawrence University and continues to bring her experience and passion for the sport to the Dolphins, working with swimmers at all levels.
Whitney recently retired from the Town of Greenwich after more than three decades of dedicated service as a professional firefighter, EMT, and CPR instructor. Outside of the pool deck, she shares her certified therapy Bernese Mountain Dog with local schools, libraries, nursing homes, and hospitals.
Scott Witmer
Scott returns for his 23rd season with the YWCA Greenwich Dolphins, where he primarily coaches the TAG 1, 2, and 3 levels. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Scott swam competitively through high school and has continued his passion for the sport as both a coach and open-water swimmer. Before moving to Greenwich in 2004 from Evanston, IL, he coached with club programs in Iowa and built a career as an executive in the investment banking industry.
Scott lives in Cos Cob with his wife, Carey, and their three children—Kendall, Emmett, and Hayden.
JJ Worden
JJ, a former collegiate swimmer at the University of Michigan, returns for her sixth season with the YWCA Greenwich Dolphins. She primarily works with the TAG levels, where she shares her experience, enthusiasm, and love of the sport to help young swimmers grow and succeed.
A longtime Old Greenwich resident, JJ lives with her husband, Mike, and their four children—two of whom swim for the Dolphins. Both on the pool deck and in the community, she brings a positive spirit and a deep commitment to youth development.
Olivia McGovern
Olivia is YWCA Greenwich Dolphins' Assistant Aquatics Director and a senior swim instructor, returning for her third season with the Dolphins. She works primarily with the TAG 1 and Future Team levels, bringing nearly a decade of experience in swim instruction and youth development. In addition to coaching, Olivia serves as the team’s in-house American Red Cross instructor, certifying staff in lifeguarding, CPR, and water safety.
Saul Olivares
A Greenwich native, Saul first joined YWCA Greenwich in 2019 as a swim instructor. He quickly became a favorite among young swimmers, helping countless children develop strong fundamentals, improve their technique, and gain the confidence needed to achieve their goal of becoming a Dolphin. Now a senior swim instructor at YWCA Greenwich, Saul returns for his third season as a Dolphins assistant coach. With his strong background in teaching and technique, he works primarily with the TAG and Future Team levels, helping young swimmers build the skills and foundations for continued success. He brings additional teaching experience from Westchester Country Club in Rye, NY, where he has been an instructor as well. Saul also serves as the Dolphins’ Lead Dryland Coach, leading strength and conditioning for State and National swimmers.
Ainslie Dorrian and Rocco Chiappetta, long-time YWCA Greenwich senior swim instructors, will also be assisting with Dolphin training this season.
Strength and Conditioning Coaches
Kyle Wirtz
As YWCA Greenwich’s Director of Health and Fitness, Kyle oversees Strength and Conditioning for the Dolphins’ National and State programs, working closely with Dave Fine and Saul Olivares to coordinate twice-weekly sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Saul Olivares
As the Dolphins’ Lead Dryland Coach, Saul works with Kyle and Dave to design and lead the strength and conditioning program for State and National swimmers. Drawing on his background as a certified personal trainer and education in Exercise Science, Saul focuses on movement quality, core stability, injury prevention, and functional training to build swimmers’ strength, power, and body awareness. His approach emphasizes long-term athlete development and sustainable performance both in and out of the water.
Director of Aquatics
Shanna Sudderth has been a cornerstone of YWCA Greenwich Aquatics for more than 20 years and has served as Director of Aquatics since 2019. She oversees YWCA Greenwich’s comprehensive aquatics programs, from learn-to-swim programs to Dolphins Prep Clinics. Shanna works closely with the Dolphins coaching staff to support swimmers at every stage of their development.
Dolphin Swim Team Levels
The levels include Future 56, Future Team, Team Age Group I (TAG1), Age Group II (TAG2), Age Group III (TAG3), State (1+2) and National. Details of each level along with recommended entry level test skills are noted below.
New swimmers must be evaluated for placement. Returning members will be pre-placed for the 23-24 season and can request re-evaluation at a scheduled session on the team calendar. Some members of the 22-23 roster may be asked to Come to an Evaluation (CTE) to allow staff to accurately place those swimmers.
Future Team 56: Exclusively for swimmers ages 5 and 6 with the ability to swim some degree of freestyle(crawl) for a length of the pool with rhythmic and/or bilateral breathing and flutter kick. Additional straight arm backstroke and flutter kicking combined with steady backstroke body position are vital. Some ability of breaststroke and/or butterfly as an introductory skill is helpful. This group is highly instructional and will race periodically at the YWCA in intersquad meets only.
The Future Team: Primarily for swimmers ages 6 to 7 with limited or no competitive experience. Swimmers must be able to swim a length (25 yards) of the pool freestyle (crawl) and backstroke for consideration and entry into the program. In recent seasons, candidates also have had some ability to swim breaststroke and butterfly. The group will work on the competitive techniques of all four strokes. Intersquad meets only
Team Age Group I (TAG I): Primarily for swimmers ages 7 to 9 with a season or more of competitive experience and the need for additional technique development in all four strokes, as well as an introduction to conditioning. Intersquad and USS meets complement this development. Seasonal plan will include 3 - 4 8/u USS meets; State 8/u Championships and periodic intersquad meets. Target Test Skill: Must swim 100-yard Individual Medley according to USS Rules and 50 yards of Freestyle with alternate breathing under 2:30 combined.
Team Age Group II (TAGII): Primarily for swimmers ages 9 to 10 with several seasons of competitive experience and have the need for additional technique development in all four strokes as well as advanced conditioning through interval training. Intersquad and USS meets complement this development. Seasonal plan will include 5 - 6 USS meets and State Championships and periodic intersquad meets. Target Test Skill: Achieve two of the following: 10 x 50-Free in 1:15; 100-yard Freestyle time under 1:30; 100-yard Individual Medley in 1:45 or better.
Team Age Group III (TAG III): Primarily for swimmers ages 11 to 12 with several seasons of competitive experience, endurance skills and the ability to repeat all four strokes continuously. Technique development in all four strokes as well as conditioning is stressed. Intersquad, dual meets and USS meets complement this development. Seasonal plan will include 5 - 6 USS meets; and conditioning for State Championships and periodic intersquad meets. Eligible swimmers may qualify for YWCA National Championship. Target Test Skill: Achieve two of the following: 10 x 50-Free in 1:00; 5 x 100yard Individual Medley in 1:45; 200- yard Freestyle in 2:30 or better.
State 1 Team: Primarily for swimmers ages 11 to 13 with several seasons of competitive experience. Swimmers must have demonstrated within TAG III group, or similar swim club, significant endurance, and commitment to training. Swimmers must have reached or can be projected to reach the March Connecticut State Championship qualifying standards to be ready and available to attend. Target Test Skill: 10 x 100 Free in 1:40; 200-Fly, Back, Breast or IM under 3:10.
State 2 Team: Primarily for swimmers ages 11 to 13 with several seasons of competitive experience. Swimmers must have demonstrated within the TAG III group, or similar swim club, significant endurance, and commitment to training. Swimmers must have reached or can be projected to reach the March Connecticut State Championship qualifying standards and be ready and available to attend. Target Test Skill: 10 x 100-Free in 1:30; 200-Fly, Back, Breast or IM under 3:00 and 500-Free under 7:00.
National Team: Primarily for swimmers ages 11 and over with several seasons of competitive experience, endurance skills and the ability to repeat all four strokes at a fast pace continuously. Technique development in all four strokes is stressed, as well as a higher degree of commitment and attendance. Intersquad and USS meets complement this development. Seasonal plan will include 5 - 6 USS meets; League and State Championships and periodic intersquad meets. Eligible swimmers may qualify for YWCA National Championship. Target Test Skill: Achieve three of the following: 10 x 100-Free in 1:30;500- Free under 6:30; 200-IM under 2:30; either a 200-Fly, Back or Breast time of under 2:45.
