About
Race Swami Enrichment Programs combines swimming with academic activities such as tutoring, book clubs, and ACT prep. The program is part of a close-knit, community-driven swimming and enrichment effort that includes student-athletes from a wide range of backgrounds.
Race Swami Enrichment Programs is part of Race Swami, a USA Swimming sanctioned program that focuses on swimming and enrichment for economically disadvantaged youth residing in the west-side neighborhoods of Salt Lake City and County. The program states that it empowers youth to be champions in and out of the water by focusing on self-discipline, teamwork, and whole-body awareness. Race Swami is a 501(c)(3) non profit club that serves culturally and economically diverse members, with more than 80% of members receiving financial assistance and more than five languages spoken within the community. The vast majority of participants come from the neighboring communities of Rose Park, Poplar Grove, Fairpark, Glendale, Guadalupe Park, and Central City, with a growing number of families from West Valley City and South Salt Lake, and Race Swami welcomes all youth regardless of socioeconomic status.
Race Swami’s leadership team includes Head Coach Claire Jackson, Office Manager Minerva Huerta, Enrichment Program Director Mary Chris Finnigan, Head Coach Matt Finnigan, USA Swimming coach Kevin Perry (1951–2008), and Olympian Gary Hall Sr. Race Swami’s inception was in 2011. The program emphasizes “character first” among all swimmers and notes that its Enrichment Programs assist student-athletes so their success in the classroom is consistent with their success in the water. The fleur de lis symbol used by the program pays an ode to Lily Finnigan, who lives with a mitochondrial condition known as Mitochondria Complex-1, and symbolizes perseverance, hope against the odds, courage, commitment, and purpose. Every Swami who wears the fleur formally commits to sportsmanship, honesty, integrity, poise, and selflessness. The motto “Make a Difference” is printed on green swim caps and appears on most team gear, and the saying “¡Sí Se Puede!” or “Yes We Can!” is used to express the belief that every member can make a difference in the team, community, and world.
Parent and swimmer testimonials describe Race Swami as providing an athletic outlet that would otherwise be too expensive, and say that kids are safe, happy, and becoming very good swimmers. One Junior Swami swimmer, age 12, says that without Race Swami they would not be swimming because their parents cannot afford it and calls it “the best thing ever.” Another parent says Race Swami has been “a life changer” for two kids and that they now have confidence in everything they do. A Junior Swami swimmer, age 11, says they are proud to be from Rose Park and to swim for a program that represents the community. A Rising Swami II swimmer, age 10, says they love how Race Swami is “super diverse” and that everyone loves each other “like we’re family.” A Rising Swami I swimmer, age 8, says their life would be “so empty and boring” without Race Swami and that they would probably just play video games all the time.
Last updated June 2, 2026.
Race Swami Enrichment Programs is part of Race Swami, a USA Swimming sanctioned program that focuses on swimming and enrichment for economically disadvantaged youth residing in the west-side neighborhoods of Salt Lake City and County. The program states that it empowers youth to be champions in and out of the water by focusing on self-discipline, teamwork, and whole-body awareness. Race Swami is a 501(c)(3) non profit club that serves culturally and economically diverse members, with more than 80% of members receiving financial assistance and more than five languages spoken within the community. The vast majority of participants come from the neighboring communities of Rose Park, Poplar Grove, Fairpark, Glendale, Guadalupe Park, and Central City, with a growing number of families from West Valley City and South Salt Lake, and Race Swami welcomes all youth regardless of socioeconomic status.
Race Swami’s leadership team includes Head Coach Claire Jackson, Office Manager Minerva Huerta, Enrichment Program Director Mary Chris Finnigan, Head Coach Matt Finnigan, USA Swimming coach Kevin Perry (1951–2008), and Olympian Gary Hall Sr. Race Swami’s inception was in 2011. The program emphasizes “character first” among all swimmers and notes that its Enrichment Programs assist student-athletes so their success in the classroom is consistent with their success in the water. The fleur de lis symbol used by the program pays an ode to Lily Finnigan, who lives with a mitochondrial condition known as Mitochondria Complex-1, and symbolizes perseverance, hope against the odds, courage, commitment, and purpose. Every Swami who wears the fleur formally commits to sportsmanship, honesty, integrity, poise, and selflessness. The motto “Make a Difference” is printed on green swim caps and appears on most team gear, and the saying “¡Sí Se Puede!” or “Yes We Can!” is used to express the belief that every member can make a difference in the team, community, and world.
Parent and swimmer testimonials describe Race Swami as providing an athletic outlet that would otherwise be too expensive, and say that kids are safe, happy, and becoming very good swimmers. One Junior Swami swimmer, age 12, says that without Race Swami they would not be swimming because their parents cannot afford it and calls it “the best thing ever.” Another parent says Race Swami has been “a life changer” for two kids and that they now have confidence in everything they do. A Junior Swami swimmer, age 11, says they are proud to be from Rose Park and to swim for a program that represents the community. A Rising Swami II swimmer, age 10, says they love how Race Swami is “super diverse” and that everyone loves each other “like we’re family.” A Rising Swami I swimmer, age 8, says their life would be “so empty and boring” without Race Swami and that they would probably just play video games all the time.
Last updated June 2, 2026.
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