A group of people smiling in a swimming pool after swimming practice, with trees and pool facilities in the background.

Who are we

What began in late 2014 as a small group of regular Y swimmers and our then head coach has grown into something remarkable. Today, we’re the largest adult swimming group in the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State area—and one of the largest in the country—with over 100 members ranging in age from 18 to 98 and covering every experience level, from total beginners to lifelong competitors.

Even though we're a big group, we pride ourselves on being friendly and welcoming. Whether you're just dipping your toe into the world of swimming or you’ve been at it for years, there's a place for you here.

We’ve got an awesome coaching staff, an active social committee, and a supportive team environment. Whatever your goals—fitness, technique, competition, or just having fun—we’re here to help you get there.

So what are you waiting for, come swim with us!

Meet the Team

  • A woman smiling at a swimming pool, holding a plaque, wearing glasses, a purple t-shirt with YMCA and Cincinnati skyline, and a wristband, with swimmers and lane dividers in the background at an indoor aquatic facility.

    Stacey Tepe

    Head Coach

    I'm the Assistant Director of Competitive Swimming and Head Coach for the Masters Program at Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA. I've been coaching swimmers of all ages for 18 years, and have spent the last 9 years focused on Masters. Since joining PCY, I’ve helped grow our Masters program to over 115 members. We’re a vibrant group that loves not just training and competing, but also spending time together outside the pool. Over the past six years, I’ve been proud to lead our team to several top-three finishes at YMCA Masters Nationals. Most recently, I was honored to receive the 2025 John DeBarbadello Award for outstanding contributions to Y-USA Masters Swimming. I’m also a USMS Level 3 Certified Masters Coach.

  • A smiling man wearing glasses and a black polo shirt with a red logo stands in front of an indoor swimming pool.

    Mike Leonard

    Coach

    I'm the Director of Competitive Swimming at Powel Crosley Jr. YMCA. I began my journey with the Tigersharks in 1986 as head coach and have since helped grow our team from a small branch of 38 swimmers into a nationally recognized program of nearly 300, ranging from beginners to Masters. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of leading the Tigersharks to a YMCA Men’s Team National Championship and many top-ten finishes. I was honored to be named the 2001 Long Course YMCA National Coach of the Meet and to be inducted into the Southwest Cluster YMCA Swimming Hall of Fame. I've coached national champions, national record holders, and Olympic Trials qualifiers. In 2015, I was humbled to receive the Joseph G. Rogers Award, the highest honor in YMCA Swimming. I’m also a USMS Level 3 Certified Masters Coach.

  • A woman with glasses and long brown hair, smiling in a decorated, festive restaurant with Christmas lights and ornaments.

    Elizabeth "Bip" Peskin

    Coach

    I’ve been with PCY Masters for a year now as both a swimmer and part-time coach, and it’s been an incredibly fulfilling experience. I’ve loved the water my whole life—swimming competitively from age 7 through college, then coaching afterward. After a break from the pool deck, I was welcomed back at PCY, where I was eventually convinced to start swimming again too. My favorite stroke is a tie between freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke—anything but breaststroke, which I’ve never quite understood (and I’m okay with that!). I especially enjoy I.M. Wednesdays for the variety and challenge. What makes this team truly special, though, is the amazing group of people I get to swim with each morning—I’ve learned so much from them and look forward to many more years together.

  • Older woman with blonde hair smiling and standing behind a white sign that reads 'SWIM'. She is wearing a burgundy Patagonia zip-up jacket and is indoors near a window with a reflection of her behind. There is a cake on the table in front of her.

    Chris Adamson

    Social Committee Founder & Co-Chair

    My journey with PCY Masters Swimming began when my friend Mike Leonard—who had previously coached my daughters—invited me to try the club for two weeks after hiring a new head coach, Meredith Griffin (who has since moved on to other things). I reluctantly agreed, and ten years later, I’m still here. The community of swimmers, spanning all ages and backgrounds, is one of the most rewarding parts of being part of the club. Our coaches—Stacey, Mike, and Bip—bring a passion and dedication that make even 6:00 am practices worthwhile. I especially enjoy distance freestyle workouts and always look forward to Mike’s “Showstopper” at the end of practice. My love for swimming has carried over into teaching adult swim lessons at the Y, because I believe it’s a skill everyone should have. Outside the pool, club socials and events like the Bill Keating Great Ohio River Swim and Y Nationals make the experience even more meaningful.

  • A smiling man wearing a striped polo shirt, a medal around his neck, a black watch, and a green wristband, sitting at a table in a well-lit, modern indoor dining area with wooden beams, chairs, and large windows.

    Ted Wilke

    Social Committee Co-Chair

    I first got involved with PCY Masters after swimming regularly with friends at local YMCAs—we joined the new Masters program at PCY for the workouts, coaching, and community. I don’t have a strong swimming background, just a summer on a team as a kid, but I picked it up again for fitness nearly 20 years ago. What keeps me coming back is the supportive, friendly, and fun group I swim with. I especially enjoy the social events and annual trip to YMCA Masters Nationals, where the energy is great and the older swimmers are incredibly inspiring. I may not be the fastest, but I take on the tough events like the 400 IM and 200 Fly to help the club. After my wife passed away, swimming and this club gave me purpose and connection when I needed it most. As we say: Here for a Good Time, Not a Fast Time!

  • A man with short brown hair, a beard, and sunglasses on his head, smiling outdoors in a desert landscape with bushes and a distant mountain range, during sunset or sunrise.

    Chris Dowd

    Social Media & Communications

    I didn’t start swimming Masters until college, when my boss at the university’s aquatic center hired me for my lifeguarding skills—then told me I had to join her team because I “looked like a drowning rat!” Turns out she did me a favor, because I quickly fell in love with the sport. But after graduating, I struggled to stay consistent with swimming—until I found this amazing group in 2019 and committed to the sport again. These days, I try to make it to practice every day, usually vibing to the music in my head from my waterproof MP3 player. Breaststroke is my best stroke, and Fast Fridays are a weekly highlight I enjoy. While I don’t compete often, I always look forward to YMCA Masters Nationals each spring—where I’ve been one of our club’s top scorers for the last few years.