Sharks to make first splash Sat.

By MICHELLE MILLER
Staff Writer

Members of the Cooperstown Sharks have been suiting up to put in hours of practice in preparation for competition.

The team, which includes 88 boys and girls ages 5-18, will partake in its first meet at 9:45 a.m. at the Clark Sports Center. The Sharks, coached by Debbie LeCates and Kristen Griger, are split up into three categories: the senior swimmers who are older and more accomplished swimmers, age group swimmers who have intermediate to advanced skills, and developmental swimmers who are beginners and intermediates working toward building their skills.

The Sharks compete in the Central Valley Swim League (CVSL) against teams from Delhi, Canajoharie and Amsterdam.

According to Griger, swimmers are expected to participate in two to five practices per week, depending on their level of competition.

``Because of the varied ages, mix of boys and girls and the amount of time each child is required to devote to the season, out team feels much like a family,’’ says Griger.

Griger says as each swimmer’s ability and level of competition advances, he or she can swim in large invitational meets within the Adirondack Swim League. With the achievement of championship time standards, swimmers will advance to the ``gold’’ championship meet in late March, according Griger.

``Making it to the gold competition is like the ultimate goal for many of these swimmers,’’ says LeCates. ``In order to do this, swimmers have to meet qualifying times that are very fast so it is a big deal.’’

LeCates, who started the team six years ago, says the team sent 29 swimmers to the gold championship last year, which she called ``amazing success.’’

Along with competing, the mission is to teach the young swimmers about good sportsmanship, to care for others and hope they develop a lifelong love for the swimming, says Griger.

Griger says each season the team participates in a holiday giving initiative by using the Shark’s strength numbers to make a difference in the community.

According to LeCates, the team started adopting a family in the community a couple of years ago. She says the team provides each family with Christmas needs such as sheets, decorations, food and gift certificates.

``We will do almost anything to make Christmas special,’’ says LeCates. ``It is a way for us to give back.’’

Griger says the team has been growing in talent and numbers each season.

``We’ve become quite a force to be reckoned with,’’ she says.

According to Griger, the Sharks have 31 new participants this year. She says last season’s team consisted of 72 swimmers, the year before that 63 and the year before that 50.

Sophie Miller, who competes in the 11-12 age group, says she joined the team four years ago for the exercise.

`It’s really fun and we learn how to become a good swimmer,’’ she says. Sisters, Elizabeth and Alexandra Russo, say their dad is always telling them swimming is good exercise.

Elizabeth says she has been on the team for seven years and was able to compete in the ``gold’’ championship meet last year.

``I finally broke 30 seconds and got 29,’’ she said.

``That was a big accomplishment for me.’’

Elizabeth, who joined the team as a second-grader, says she has always wanted to learn how to swim and do it competitively.

She says the breast stroke and the free style breast stoke competitions are her best events. Alexandra, who has been a member of the Sharks since first grade, says she just moved up to the 11-12 age group. She says she was ``really scared’’ about joining the team at first, but began to really enjoy it.

``I became really good at it,’’ she says.

Now in the sixth grade, Alexandra says she has made it to the ``gold’’ championship a few times. She says she had her best year at age 8 when she took fifth place overall.

Alexandra says she qualified for nine events in last year’s competition, which she says was a ``huge accomplishment.’’ She says she placed sixth overall in the 9-10 age group.

Abby LeCates, Debbie’s 11-year-old daughter, says she has been swimming since she was 6-years-old. She says her mom started the team when they moved from Maryland and is glad she did.

Both my parents swam competitively, so it is in my blood, she says. LeCates says one of most satisfying feelings as a coach is seeing the novice swimmers turn into competitors.

``I did this when I was young, so it is neat to see 88 young people in this community dedicate a huge amount of time into a sport I feel so passionate about,’’ she says.

``It’s all about getting the kids to love the sport. I can’t say they are all going to go off to college and swim,’’ added LeCates.

Text Only