Leland Thompson was four years old when he was jogging with his dad past Jersey Shore Borough’s outdoor pool. Like most young minds, he had a lot of questions and wanted to know what was going on in the pool and why kids were swimming back and forth. To satisfy is son’s curiosity; Mike Thompson took him into the pool area and talked to the summer swim team coach. The next day, Lee was swimming on the team and has been involved in the sport since that day.
Thompson’s latest swimming experience will take place this winter as he takes the helm of the Jersey Shore boys and girls swim team from long time coach Lou Anne Gasperine.
The high school didn’t have to look far to find a successful candidate. Thompson was a standout swimmer during his four year career at Jersey Shore. During his junior year, he was part of two relays that made it to the 2004 PIAA States; the 200 yard medley relay and the 200 yard freestyle relay with teammates Eric Gephart, Mike Smith, and Brandon Davidson. The foursome was able to capture fifth place in the 200 yard medley relay.
“We really worked hard our senior year as we saw potential with our relay,” said Thompson. The hard worked paid off as all four swimmers made States in individual events but also competed in the two relays. Hard work pushed their 200 yard medley relay to a fourth place finish.
His successful high school career propelled him to the next level and swam competitively for Slippery Rock University where he was a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference medalist. Unfortunately, the sports world came crashing down at SRU as nine varsity sports were eliminated, including men and women’s swimming.
“I still wanted to swim so I transferred to Clarion University,” said Thompson. “It was a wonderful experience but I was starting to concentrate more on the sport and as a result, my academics suffered.” He hung up his swim trunks and headed closer to home to work on his Health and Physical Education degree at Lock Haven University.
The sport still had a pull on him. “I became a volunteer high school coach at Jersey Shore two years ago under Head coach Gasperine in which I helped organize practices and meets. I got a feel for the opposite spectrum of swimming,” said Thompson. “Last year, I started to work with the more advanced swimmers and took on even more responsibilities. I fell in love with swimming again.”
Thompson also gained some coaching experience by working with the Jersey Shore Summer Swim Team under head coach Patty Kennelley. “This is a large group, over 100 kids, and this allowed me to gain some experience with kids of all ages and swimming abilities,” said Thompson.
As Thompson moves through his college experience, he recognizes the importance of academics. “I want the kids to do well not only in the pool but the classroom. Regardless if they go to Districts and/or States, I want them to grow as an individual and be a better person and student.”
Shore has always had some top notch swimmers. Last year the girls placed third in District IV Championships while the boys finished eight. The girls also placed in the top fifteen in PIAA States by capturing thirteenth place. “We are a little lacking on depth. We take a lot of first place finishes in dual meets but have trouble picking up points with fourth and fifth place finishes,” said Thompson. One of his first orders of business is to increase the size of the team. “I hope to work with other student-athletes to see if they want to cross train and use swimming as that platform.”
In addition Thompson also hopes to increase participation in morning practices and dryland training. Work out of the pool will include weight and endurance training.
“I have big shoes to fill,” said Thompson. “I learned a lot under coach Gasperine and Jeri Demel (assistant coach) and hope to continue the winning tradition for Jersey Shore Swimming.”
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