Norwich Purple Tornado Swimming & Diving

07/06/2026

We are back at it! Summer training starts tonight. Please enter through the back door, come dressed in workout clothes and sneakers and BRING WATER! See you all tonight.

07/05/2026

💜🌪️ If you’re around today, head down to the Norwich High School fields to support the Downey Family and their son Kellen.

There is so much going on- wiffleball, a bouncy house and a slide, a dunk tank, t-shirts, a huuuuuge basket raffle and just a bunch of good people gathering, smiling, laughing, supporting and competing- some for fun, some to win! The video doesn’t do it justice.

It’s a perfect Sunday. Just GO! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ They will be there until 5.

07/01/2026

Keep fighting Kellen. You are doing amazing. Stay strong and never give up! 💪

Amanda, we are always thinking of you and your family. You are doing amazing as well 💜

We’re all behind you!

NMS Student - Kellen Downey "Keep Fighting" Video 2026NCSD Athlet...

06/30/2026

So proud to have coached both Dooger and Shannon Wenzel and watched them grow in and out of the pool. Thank you both for your generous donation and for continuing to represent Norwich Swimming in such a positive way. Once a swimmer in this program, always part of the Norwich Swimming family. 🌪️🏊‍♀️💜

06/26/2026

START DATE CHANGE: Summer Training will start on July 6th!

06/16/2026

💜🌪️ NORWICH TORNADO SWIMMING & DIVING SUMMER TRAINING 🌪️💜

Summer training is underway June 28 – August 13!

Whether you’re an experienced swimmer looking to stay sharp or someone who has never been on a swim team before and wants to give swimming a try, this program is designed for you.

🏊‍♀️Our swim training is low to moderate demand, with lower yardage, technique-focused practices, and training-age appropriate instruction.

💪The weight training is designed to introduce the swimmer to our lifting program with the focus being on good lifting techniques.

Perfect for:
🟣 Future modified swimmers
🟣 Current modified and varsity swimmers
🟣 Athletes interested in trying swimming for the first time
🟣 Experienced swimmers looking to maintain and improve technique

Strength training and swim sessions are designed to meet athletes where they are, helping each swimmer develop at their own pace. The goal is to build skills, confidence, strength, and good habits in a positive environment.

If you have questions or would like more information about the program, please send a private message. We’d be happy to help determine if this is a good fit for your athlete!

Norwich City School District

06/15/2026

🟣🌪️ Welcome Back Happy Wonka 🏊‍♀️🏆

The record board has always been a focal point of the pool and our training. And every season, without fail, over the past 23 years of coaching YMCA and high school swimming, there is one name that always stands out and I get the same questions:

“Who is Happy Wonka? Is that her real name? Why do they call her Happy?”

My answers are always the same:

“She’s a legend.”

“No, her real name is Cynthia.”

“I’m guessing it was because of her smile.”

As a young swimmer, I remember all the excitement when Happy qualified for YMCA Nationals and all the fundraisers to get her there. She was the real deal. And what a lot of people don’t realize is that the oldest girl’s team record that has been sitting on our board all these decades was set by a 10th grader before moving to Binghamton, where she continued breaking records and winning state titles.

Recently, thanks to social media, we reconnected after nearly 30 years- the smile exactly the same. It was so much fun catching up and talking about old memories.

Before she left, I talked Happy into stopping by the pool to see that her record is still there and that swimmers are still asking about her all these years later.

Thank you, Happy, for humoring me and letting me introduce you to our swimmers here all at once- past, present, and future. I’m sure the questions will keep coming, and my answers will still be the same.

And for the record… yes, she’s real. 😊

06/13/2026

A very special thank you to Sandy Frank for her generous donation to the Norwich Varsity Boys & Girls Swim Team Record Board & Flags Project. Sandy has been a tremendous supporter of Norwich Swimming for many years and one of the teams biggest cheerleaders. We appreciate your generosity and for always being there for Norwich Swimming. 🌪️🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️💜

06/12/2026

Thank you you to Brad and Tanya Blaisure for their generous donation to the Norwich Varsity Boys & Girls. We are deeply grateful for their generosity and for helping preserve the history and tradition of Norwich Swimming for future generations of Purple Tornado athletes. Thank you, Brad and Tanya, for always being in our corner. 🌪️🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️💜

06/11/2026

A special Thank You to Steve and Debbie Kman for their generous donation to our Record Board & Flags Project. Your support helps us celebrate the accomplishments of past, present, and future Purple Tornado swimmers while preserving our history. We are truly grateful for your commitment to Norwich Swimming and Diving. 💜🌪️🏊‍♀️