Featured Image: James “JJ” Apostolico will lead the Nazareth YMCA competitive swim team and serve in a leaderhsip support role for the Bethlehem team as the new director of competitive aquatics for the Lehigh Valley region of River Crossing YMCA. (photo courtesy James Apostolico) 

NAZARETH – River Crossing YMCA has announced the appointment of James “JJ” Apostolico as director of competitive aquatics for the Lehigh Valley region.  Apostolico will serve as head coach of the Nazareth YMCA swim team while also providing leadership and coaching support to the Bethlehem YMCA swim program.

Apostolico brings extensive competitive swimming and coaching experience along with strong connections throughout the Lehigh Valley swimming community. He began coaching after graduating from college in 2018, serving as an assistant coach with the Nazareth High School swim team from 2018–2022 and working with the Blue Eagle Swim Team. After taking several years away from coaching to raise his young family, Apostolico returned to the pool last year as an assistant coach with the Nazareth YMCA and as Head Coach of the Freedom High School swim team.

He will begin his second season as Head Coach at Freedom High School while taking on this new leadership role with River Crossing YMCA.

“JJ’s experience, energy and connection to the swimming community make him an outstanding addition to our competitive aquatics leadership team,” said Lou Petto, Sr. Dir. of competitive aquatics for River Crossing YMCA. “He understands competitive swimming, he understands our community, and most importantly, he understands the importance of creating a positive experience for young athletes and their families.”

Apostolico’s appointment is part of River Crossing YMCA’s continued commitment to strengthening and expanding competitive aquatics throughout the Lehigh Valley. The YMCA currently operates competitive swim programs in both Nazareth and Bethlehem, and the organization plans to build upon those programs by expanding opportunities for swimmers beyond the traditional fall and winter seasons.

As director of competitive aquatics for the Lehigh Valley, Apostolico will help lead the development of year-round competitive swimming opportunities, including enhanced spring and summer programming, while working to create greater consistency and quality across the region’s programs. For Apostolico, the opportunity represents a chance to combine his passion for swimming with his commitment to developing young athletes.

“I’ve been a competitive swimmer since I was 10 years old, and I still find time to compete as an adult,” said Apostolico. “Swimming is such a great sport for all ages, and I don’t want to see our kids reach the end of high school—or earlier—and no longer want to touch a pool. We want to create an environment where swimmers can improve, compete, challenge themselves and, most importantly, continue to enjoy the sport.”

Apostolico and the River Crossing YMCA competitive aquatics teams will work closely with swimmers, families and coaches in both Nazareth and Bethlehem as the organization begins expanding its Lehigh Valley programming.

“The goal is to provide swimmers with a great experience, develop athletes at every level, and create a year-round competitive aquatics program that serves the needs of River Crossing YMCA members and the broader Lehigh Valley community,” said Petto.

For more information about River Crossing YMCA swim teams and programs, including those in the Lehigh Valley, please visit https://www.ymcarivercrossing.org/swimming.

River Crossing YMCA (formerly YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater Valley YMCA) is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 100,000 members and participants at its 11 member branches, 12 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 44 school age child care programs. River Crossing YMCA provides over $12 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcarivercrossing.org

Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Reisman