Champaign County HEAT is a year-round competitive swim team based out of the Stephens Family YMCA. (ISI), USA Swimming, and YMCA Swimming.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Will Barker, HEAT offers high quality, professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities. At HEAT, we provide every athlete an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice to international competitor. We intend to do this by challenging each athlete to:
Harness the power of positiv
04/10/2026
Celebrating a very successful Y Nationals Trip to Greensboro, North Carolina last week. Proud of all of our swimmers who competed. We had many HEAT swimmers on the podium. A very special congratulations to our YMCA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS in the 200 yard freestyle relay - Charles Medlin, Cooper Franz, Emmett Kearns, and Wade Pyle.
04/01/2026
🔥🔥 Did you catch yesterday's News-Gazette? Thanks for the spotlight!
04/01/2026
🚨 BIG NEWS HEAT FAM 🚨
This is no April fools joke! Coach Will is CANCELING practice on April 15… because the only place you should be is the HEAT Golden Goggle Awards Banquet at Champaign Country Club! 🏆✨
Trade your goggles for glam and get ready for a red carpet night with your teammates — dinner, awards, photos, and nonstop celebration.
No practice. No excuses. Full team attendance required for maximum fun. 😄
RSVP by April 8 at tinyurl.com/heatbanquet
03/29/2026
Getting in some practice today in Greensboro before Nationals begins tomorrow. We’re bringing the HEAT. 🔥💪
03/26/2026
A special congratulations to our newest Y Nationals team member — Mallory Borden! 🔥
Mallory earned her Nationals cut in the 100 Backstroke at Y State — the HEAT Nationals roster keeps growing!
Let’s go, HEAT! 💪
03/26/2026
Hey HEAT families! 🔥 Who’s ready for Long Course Season?
Groups 4 and above start Monday, March 30. If you need an evaluation for practice group placement, come to the YMCA on Monday OR Tuesday between 4 and 5:30. You can also email Head Coach Will Barker to set up a time. Groups 1–3 will start Wednesday, April 1. Let’s go HEAT! 💥🏊♂️
03/18/2026
From HEAT to the national stage 🔥
Former HEAT swimmer Babette Bradley is making waves at NCAA Nationals with NYU. Let's send her good wishes from Champaign as she competes in Indianapolis.
03/17/2026
📸✨ SLIDESHOW PHOTO CALL ✨📸
We’re putting together a special slideshow for the Golden Goggle Awards Banquet and we want YOUR best HEAT memories!
Send in your favorite team photos! Let’s fill the screen with the moments that made this season unforgettable.
Submit your photos ASAP to [email protected] so we can include them in the slideshow.
03/16/2026