Crespi News

The Robinson Family Aquatics Center was buzzing with energy on Sunday, September 13, as Crespi Carmelite welcomed 556 young swimmers and their families to campus for the opening San Fernando Valley Swim League meet of the season.

Athletes ranging in age from 5 to 14 represented 15 schools from across the region: Holy Trinity, Incarnation, Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of Lourdes, Saint Bernardine of Siena, Saint Lawrence Martyr, Saint Cyril, Saint Didacus, Saint John Eudes, Saint Jude, Saint Paschal Baylon, Saint Charles Borromeo, Saint Euphrasia, Saint Francis de Sales, and Saint Mel.

With warm-ups beginning at 7:30 a.m., the pool deck quickly came to life with swimmers, coaches, families, and teammates preparing for a full day of competition. The first session began at 9:00 a.m., with the final session starting at 12:30 p.m. and wrapping up just after 3:00 p.m.

For many of the youngest athletes, the meet offered an exciting opportunity to experience competitive swimming in a championship-caliber facility. Younger swimmers raced 25 yards in each of the four competitive strokes, while older athletes competed in 50-yard events along with the 100-yard Individual Medley.

The day finished with some of its loudest cheers as teams took to the water for the relays. Teammates lined the pool deck, families filled the stands, and swimmers put everything they had into their final races of the afternoon.

Our Lady of Grace School served as the host school for the competition, helping turn the meet into a full community event both in and out of the water. Families had plenty to enjoy throughout the day with the OLG Snack Shack, California Pizza Kitchen Food Truck, Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck, The Burque Bean Experience Coffee, and fresh fruit carts available on campus. A percentage of California Pizza Kitchen sales from the event benefited Our Lady of Grace School, adding another layer of community support to the day.

Swimmers and families could also visit Conejo Swimworks, which set up shop on the pool deck near the West Gate with swimsuits, caps, goggles, and a variety of swim equipment available for purchase.

With hundreds of athletes competing, families cheering from the stands, food trucks serving guests, and vendors lining the venue, the Robinson Family Aquatics Center felt every bit like the center of youth swimming in the Valley for the day.

Hosting an event of this size provided Crespi with another opportunity to open its campus to families from throughout the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities. Many of the participating schools are longtime Crespi partner schools, making the day especially meaningful as hundreds of elementary and middle school students had the chance to compete at the Robinson Family Aquatics Center.

The meet also showcased what makes the Crespi experience special: outstanding facilities, spirited competition, strong community partnerships, and opportunities for young people to grow through athletics.

For prospective families visiting Crespi for the first time, Sunday offered a glimpse of a campus that is built to bring students together and give them opportunities to compete, connect, and thrive.

Crespi Carmelite is proud to support youth swimming throughout the region and to welcome the next generation of student-athletes to one of the San Fernando Valley’s premier aquatic facilities.