Most of Jersey Shore’s 100 plus swimmers swim during the evening. A few brave swimmers, such as Danielle McPherson, jump into the water for 7:30 AM session. At times, it can be a peaceful and quiet experience.
With the cool, rainy start to last year’s summer, Jersey Shore swim team members were hesitant to jump into the chilly waters for the start of practices. This year is a different story as the warm waters and weather are drawing kids to the racing lanes in large numbers. “This years’ team is the biggest team I have coached in my six years,” said head coach Patty Kennelley.
Just like any other sport, a new season brings on new challenges. She’ll have to mesh the newcomers in with the regulars. “It will definitely be a challenge when it comes to placing all the kids in the swim meets, but I would rather have too many kids than not enough,” said Kennelley.
The other challenge is defending the team’s regular season Bald Eagle Swim League title and championship title. Coach Kennelley never takes any teams for granted as “all teams in our league have the potential to be league champs,’ she said. The elimination of the Montoursville swim team (the outdoor pool was demolished this spring) has scattered their swimmers to three other local teams; Tri-Town, Loyalsock, and Williamsport. “These three teams have increased their swimmer count because of this pool closing and will be hard pressed to beat” said Kennelley.
One thing the head coach can rely on is her 15-and-over girls. Since 2004, that group has a 45-3 record and been undefeated the past three years. “I have been lucky enough to never lose more than one swimmer to graduation,” said Kennelley “and always had another swimmer move to that empty spot.”
Next year will be different as she will lose two strong swimmers after this season; her daughter Sam Kennelley and Danielle McPherson. Ironically, neither of them really have any reason to swim this summer. Sam finished her freshman year at Slippery Rock and McPherson is moving onto a dental hygiene school. Neither school has a women’s swim program.
“This is my last chance to swim,” stated McPherson “and I want to be with my friends who are still swimming. It’s not about the competition anymore, swimming keeps me motivated and its good exercise.”
Kennelley has been out of high school for over a year now. “I didn’t swim in college but every time I came back to the Jersey Shore High School pool to watch some of the winter meets, I realized how much I missed it,” said Kennelley.
Jersey Shore will open the season at Tri-Town on June 29. The only other away meet is at Troy. Home meets are on July 1, July 13, July 20, and July 22 against Mill Hall, Loyalsock, Wellsboro, and Williamsport respectively.
The Mill Hall Fighting Muskrats have already opened their season with two meets; home meet against Tri-town on June 22 and away against Loyalsock on June 24. Mill Hall has one more home meet against Troy on June 29 with away meets against Jersey Shore, Wellsboro, and Williamsport on July 1, 8, and 13 respectively.
The Bald Eagle Swim League All-Star meet and Championships occur on July 25 and 31.
Danielle McPherson gets ready for a 7:30 AM swimming session at the Jersey Shore Borough outdoor pool.
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