Empire KC Swim Club

Every great season starts with great coaches. 🦁❤️

Before our swimmers hit the water, our coaches do too!

Each year, we bring our coaching staff together for our annual EKC Coaches Retreat—a chance to learn, refresh, collaborate, and make sure we are prepared to give our athletes the very best experience possible.

From in-water safety and emergency training to athlete security, season planning, coaching education, new ideas in the sport, and plenty of conversations about how we can continue to get better—this weekend is about investing in the people who invest so much in our swimmers.

This year, we were also excited to invite coaches from AAAA to join us. We may wear different team colors, but when it comes to athlete safety, coach education, and growing our sport, we are all on the same team. ❤️

We ask our swimmers to keep learning, keep growing and never get comfortable—and we believe our coaches should do the same.

Prepared coaches. Safer athletes. Better coaching. Stronger swimming.

Ready for 2026–27. 🦁

Two weeks. One team. Countless memories. ❤️🦁

The past two weeks in Irvine, California, have been everything our sport is about. Competing against the fastest swimmers in the country, chasing big goals, learning from every race, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

Week one featured Kinley, Clara and Lucy at the USA Swimming National Championships. They delivered best times, podium finishes, and represented Empire with pride. In between races, there was time to recharge—shopping, laughing together, and watching the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Week two brought Ashlyn, Avery and Karsyn to join the group for the USA Swimming Junior National Championships. Once again, the results followed the work—best times, podium finishes, exciting relays, and teammates cheering each other on every step of the way.

What stands out most isn’t just the results. It’s the friendships that grew stronger, the lessons learned through the highs and the disappointments, and the opportunity to compete on swimming’s biggest stages. These experiences will shape these athletes far beyond the pool.

We’re incredibly proud of this group for the way they represented Empire—with toughness, humility, resilience, and joy.

The future is bright. ❤️🖤

🚨 AN EMPIRE FIRST!! 🦁🥉

What a way to finish!! Our girls raced to a 3rd place finish in the 400 Medley Relay at USA Swimming Junior Nationals — the first Junior Nationals relay podium in Empire history! ❤️🖤

And what a way to close out TWO incredible weeks of national-level competition in Irvine. Lots of racing, lots of emotions, lots of memories…and one final trip to the podium together!

So proud of these girls and the way they finished. Empire history made! 🦁🔥

TOUGH. FEARLESS. NATIONAL PODIUM. 🔥

Lucy Velte raced to a 3rd-place finish in the 18 & Under heat of the 100 Butterfly at the Toyota National Championships!

That look says it all—locked in and ready to race. We are so proud of you, Lucy! 🦁❤️

SUMMER SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS!

🥇 Overall Team Champions
🥇 Girls Team Champions
🥇 Boys Team Champions

EKC showed up, raced fast, and got it done! We couldn’t be prouder of the way our athletes competed, supported one another, and represented Empire KC all weekend.

One team. Three wins. ❤️🖤

The kids showed up and RACED FAST at the Missouri Valley District Championships! 🔥

Lots of best times, new Champs cuts, podium finishes, and plenty of fun made this a very successful weekend for Empire KC! We are so proud of how these swimmers competed and represented our team. ❤️🖤🦁

What a weekend at MV Senior Championships! 🏅

Our Lions brought home awesome podium finishes, highlighted by Emma Huebner earning 3rd Place Overall High Point! 👏

So proud of the way our swimmers competed—with grit, confidence, and heart. Congratulations to everyone on an outstanding championship meet!

🦁❤️🖤

Full circle moments are the best. ❤️
Every one of these Summer League coaches once stood on the other side of the pool deck as EKC swimmers. Today, they’re role models, mentors, and leaders for the next generation. Watching them grow into the people they are today is one of the greatest rewards of coaching. So proud of this crew. 🖤❤️

The wait is over—registration for the 2026–2027 Empire KC Swim Club season is officially open!
Whether you're a returning Lion or looking to join one of the premier competitive swim programs in the Kansas City area, now is the time to reserve your spot for another exciting season of growth, competition, and team camaraderie.
At Empire KC, our athletes benefit from experienced coaching, a positive team culture, and opportunities to compete at every level of USA Swimming. From developing strong fundamentals to pursuing state, sectional, and national-level goals, Empire KC is committed to helping every swimmer reach their full potential—in and out of the pool.

Getting registered is easy!

Visit www.ekclions.com.
From the home page, click "2026–27 Registration."
Complete your registration to secure your place for the upcoming season.
We encourage families to register early so you'll be ready for the start of practices and receive important team communications throughout the summer.
We can't wait to welcome our returning swimmers and meet the newest members of the Empire KC family. Here's to another season of hard work, fast swimming, lasting friendships, and unforgettable memories.
Go Lions! 🦁🏊

🔥 Speedo Winter Juniors | University of Texas 🔥
What a meet. What a team. What a performance.
Our athletes rose to the moment and delivered fearless racing at Speedo Winter Juniors, earning the best women’s team finish in Empire KC history.
🏆 800 Free Relay — CHAMPIONS to kick off the meet
🥈 200 Medley Relay — 8th place (same night!)
💥 200 Free Relay — 5th place on Friday
🔥 400 Free Relay — 7th place to close it out
➡️ Overall Women’s Team Finish: 7th Place
➡️ Highest placement ever for Empire KC women at this meet
💥 Shoutout to Josh Battison, our only boys qualifier, who delivered strong performances and represented Empire KC with confidence and grit on a big stage.
This was a total team effort—grit, confidence, and belief from start to finish. So proud of this group and the standard they continue to raise.
💪❤️🖤 FastSwimming TeamFirst HistoryMade