The Bellefonte Stingrays are making waves this season, thanks in large part to a mid-season coaching change that has reinvigorated the program and delivered standout results. Under the leadership of new head coaches Lynette Kramer and Dominick Romanini, the team has seen a surge in performance, culminating in an impressive showing of young talent qualifying for the PA YMCA State Meet.

Kramer and Romanini are no strangers to the Stingrays. Both previously coached within the Bellefonte program and bring with them not only years of coaching experience, but also strong personal swimming backgrounds from their own competitive careers. Their return marks a renewed commitment to building a sustainable, competitive, and positive team culture.

Parent Greg Reeder said, “As a parent, I initially felt some uncertainty when our swimmers faced a mid-season coaching change. However, the Bellefonte YMCA–especially Kristin Erb and Liz Toukonen–went above and beyond, securing not just one but two outstanding coaches to guide the team. Lynette and Dominick brought energy, encouragement, and high expectations that truly elevated our swimmers’ performance. Thanks to their leadership, athletes achieved personal milestones and we saw more district and state qualifiers than we’ve had in recent years. I’m incredibly grateful for Lynette and Dominick–we’re fortunate to have them leading our team.”

Since stepping into their roles, the coaching duo has emphasized technical development, particularly in refining stroke mechanics and building strong fundamentals. Their approach goes beyond simply chasing times on the clock. Instead, they focus on helping each swimmer grow individually–mentally, physically, and technically–while fostering a supportive and motivated team environment. Nora Reeder, State qualifier and long time Stingray, said “​​I love coach Lynette and Coach Dominick. I love how Coach Dominick pushes me in practice and how Coach Lynette makes practice fun. Then when they are together they let me be myself and help me be the best swimmer I can be.”

That philosophy is already paying off. Four standout swimmers–Isabella Bower (12), Evelynn Martin (10), Nora Reeder (10), and Emily Skrzycki (12)– qualified for the PA YMCA State Meet. This marks the highest level of representation the Bellefonte Stingrays have achieved in years and signals a promising future for the program.

At the Championship Meet in Morgantown, WV (March 20-22), the Stingrays rose to the occasion and represented Bellefonte with pride. Swimmers across the board recorded time drops, improved upon their seed positions, and gained valuable high-level meet experience. Isabella Bower, Emily Skrzycki, Nora Reeder, and Evelynn Martin led the way with notable improvements, with Martin also securing a 7th-place finish in the 100 Butterfly. Martin also brings back to Bellefonte a 9th place in both the 100 yard Backstroke and the 200 yard Individual Medley.

The success of these swimmers reflects not only their hard work and dedication, but also the renewed direction of the team under Kramer and Romanini. By prioritizing development and confidence, the coaches are helping athletes reach new levels of performance while also building a strong foundation for continued success. State qualifier Evelynn Martin said “Having a coaching change, midseason is scary but I know I wouldn’t have made it as far if I didn’t have Coach Dom and Coach Lynette I’m so appreciative for everything that they do for me and how they coach me and I’m excited to continue swimming for them”

Looking ahead, the Bellefonte Stingrays are focused on growth–not just in results, but in numbers and community impact. The goal is to continue developing a program that athletes are excited to be part of and that the entire Bellefonte community can take pride in for years to come. Matt Martin, father of Evelynn Martin says ” Our community is so fortunate to have this program as it allows us to watch kids work hard and develop into great teammates who support each other through adversity. It goes beyond just winning medals in the pool. To see these kids succeed at States, in that kind of an environment, is a true testament to the dedication of the swimmers and the extraordinary effort of these coaches. Through the summer and winter season, Evelynn has been blessed with excellent coaches as long as she’s been a Stingray.”

As part of that effort, the team will launch its next training opportunity this spring. A Stroke Clinic beginning in May will provide swimmers with a deeper, more focused look at each stroke, helping athletes of all levels improve technique and efficiency in a meaningful way.

Registration for the Stroke Clinic is now open. Interested swimmers and families can sign up by calling the Bellefonte YMCA today and becoming part of a growing program that is building momentum both in and out of the pool.