Jamie and Thea Hambleton

Thea was struggling to find a sport that she could enjoying participating in with her arthritis. Her mom, Jamie Hamleton, searched around for swim schools across Wichita and found the Northwest YMCA Swim Academy Program. 

Thea quickly moved up and joined the branch’s Neptunes swim team in August 2024. 

Now, Thea is winning High Point at swim meets and is one of the Missouri Valley's top 10 and under girls.

Jamie said, "I thank the Y for bringing my daughter back!" 

Thea commented, "I love the Neptunes. I love my coaches and I've made a lot of friends. Swimming helps my joints. I love being a shark in the water."