From the President..

Lord knows Scott Ward, the CEO and head coach of EST, should brag more about the club he founded 33 years ago and has been a part of ever since... But he won’t..... So, I will.....

EST was recently designated a Silver Medal Club for the 2025-2026 season as part of USA Swimming’s Club Excellence Program. This is a big deal. The program yearly recognizes the top 200 clubs across the country for the performance of their 18-and-under, pre-college  swimmers. Recognition falls into one of three categories: Gold for the top 20 clubs, Silver for the next 80, Bronze for 100 through 200.  

Two hundred awards might come across as something much like the trophies handed out at the end of a U-8 soccer season. Everyone gets one- But that’s not the case here!  There are close to 3,000 competitive swim clubs across the country.

When I was head coach of the Naval Academy Aquatic Club, I worked with some very good 18-and-under swimmers (though not as good as the ones at EST).  When notified that NAAC would be a Bronze Medal Club for the 2007-2008 season, I was ecstatic. I seem to remember doing a few cartwheels. (I was a good bit younger then.) To be among the top six percent of clubs in the country was a very satisfying affirmation of the hard work done the previous year by the coaches, swimmers and volunteers.  But NAAC was never more than a Bronze Medal Club, and never for consecutive years.  

EST has been either a Silver or Bronze Medal Club for all of but two of the 22 years the Club Excellence Program has been in existence.  And this year, the only other Maryland LSC club selected was North Baltimore Aquatic Club, also as a Silver Medal Club.  

I offer a hearty, “Well done,” to Scott, his coaching staff, the swimmers and the volunteers who put in the hours and the effort that make EST an outstanding organization.

Tom Slear
President
EST Board of Directors