The Wyckoff YMCA Sharks recently sent a team of an unprecedented 29 swimmers to the 2011 YMCA Short Course Swimming and Diving National Championships in Fort Lauderdale.
Ashley El Naggar of Franklin Lakes was on the national team, which consisted of Wyckoff Sharks ages 13 through 18, who qualified for the prestigious meet by achieving challenging time standards in various distance events.
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Practicing 11 months a year up to seven days a week, nearly all national team members have been competitively swimming since age 6. Many swim on their school teams as well as the Sharks, which is a club team. This year's graduates will be swimming at Bowdoin, Wesleyan, Stevens Institute of Technology, Franklin & Marshall, Florida Southern and Marist. Sharks graduates are currently swimming at Williams, Connecticut College, Occidental, Providence, Cornell, Fairfield, and Villanova.
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The Wyckoff Sharks national team’s head coach is Kathy Kallman, assisted by Francesco Peta and Ken Berk. Along with Sharon Sherman and Sara Kallman, they also coach the 180 members of the Wyckoff YMCA Sharks.
After a week’s break, the Wyckoff Sharks are working toward the Long Course Nationals at Georgia Tech, in late July.
Swimmers interested in joining the Wyckoff YMCA Sharks are invited to call 201-891-2081.
