Submitted by Karen Miller
It’s swim team season again for the Sharks of the Lake Monticello Swim Team (LMST) and with the new pool and a new head coach, it is sure to be a season to remember.
LMST has 164 registered swimmers this season (up 20 from this same time last year), with new head Coach Sito Arroyo leading the way. Coach Sito was in his 10thyear of coaching last year as he was the assistant coach to Carly Csapo, who, after her sixth year as head coach stepped down to further her career. Coach Sito is pleased to be leading the team this year and said he looks forward to an exciting season
LMST participates in the Jefferson Swim League (JSL), a 17-team league divided into three divisions. LMST currently is a Division 2 team.
Although LMST swims competitively against other teams, the main goal is to have fun. The coaches’ mission is to teach and improve swimmers’ skills and confidence in the water while promoting team spirit and sportsmanship.
The LMST Sharks look very strong this year, with many returning swimmers and 53 new ones so far this summer.
The Sharks have some other amazing coaches as well: assistant Coaches Maria Arroyo, Fefe Nardone, and Emma Strickland along with junior Coach Olivia Strickland. They also have four coaches who are shadowing this season: Austin Fairbanks, Jordan Franco, Hunter Strickland and Nora Wells.
The Sharks kicked off their season Wednesday evening (June 5) with a parent meeting and a “mock” meet for the coaches, parents and swimmers to learn the ropes of how an official meet runs. The rain held off, several heats were practiced with official meet equipment, and the new pool deck was abuzz with parents learning their different timing positions and service areas. It takes many hands to run a meet.
The sharks “chomped” their way into the new season with new head Coach Sito leading the way. It is sure to be an exciting summer for the Sharks of LMST.
