Water Rat Head Coach Ellen Johnston Named National YMCA Coach of the Year

Ellen Johnston, head coach of the Westport Weston Family YMCA Water Rat Swim Team, was selected on April 2 as the National YMCA Coach of the Year.

The award, which is given at the YMCA Short Course National Swimming Championship, was announced during finals at the Greensboro Aquatic Complex in North Carolina.

Going into Thursday’s session of the week-long meet, the Water Rat Men’s Team was in second place and the team overall was tied for 26th place, among nearly 200 elite teams competing for YMCAs across the country.

Ellen celebrated 25 years with the Water Rat Swim Team in 2011 and was named head coach of the Water Rats in 2012.

“We are so very proud of Ellen,” said Bonnie Strittmatter, President of the Family YMCA’s volunteer Board of Directors and a former Water Rat parent. “Over the past 29 years she has mentored and coached thousands of children, teaching them that success comes from dedication and hard work.”

“Ellen exemplifies the Y values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility every day, on and off the pool deck,” Strittmatter adds. “She has set a standard of behavior and commitment with these kids, and these are lessons that last a lifetime. That is her legacy.”

“It’s a tremendous honor that is a total team effort,” said Ellen, during a short break from her coaching duties on the pool deck at “Y Nats” in Greensboro, which concludes Friday, Apr. 3.

Ellen joined the Water Rat team in November 1986 as an assistant coach, working with swimmers at every level in the program. She quickly became a full-time assistant coach and was promoted to Senior Coach in 1990.

Prior to working in Westport, Ellen coached the Bulldog Swim Club in Bowie, Maryland, where she was the Senior II and Head Age Group Coach. She also coached all levels of the South Carolina Aquatic Team in Columbia.

Ellen twice has been Connecticut Senior Coach of the Year and was nominated for the honor again in 2008, 2009 and 2010. This is the first time that she has been named National YMCA Coach of the Year.

“All the time and effort Ellen and her team have put in has paid off, and we couldn’t be more proud of her and the entire Water Rat team,” said Nicole Turechek, Aquatics Director.

The Water Rat Swim Team is a year-round, nationally recognized competitive swim program, organized and operated by the Aquatics Department of the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

Founded more than 50 years ago, and with a roster of nearly 200 children, the Water Rats are one of the largest swim teams in New England. Our team members acquire excellent swimming skills, make new friends and learn how to set goals while developing self-discipline and self-confidence.

The Water Rat Swim Team competes against other Connecticut YMCA teams in dual meets, and the team attends state, regional and national championships. The team, which is also a registered USA Swimming Club, is a member of Connecticut Swimming, Inc., one of 59 Local Swim Committees in the country. Water Rats compete in USA Swimming-sanctioned meets at the local, regional, state, zone and national level.

To learn more about the Water Rat Swim Team, please visit wrat.westporty.org.