By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
This summer's Madisonville Sharks swim team will have a more youthful look not due to an influx of inexperienced swimmers, rather because of a trio of new coaches.
Former Madisonville-North Hopkins swimmers Mary Katherine Kington, Joseph Porter and Shawn Sarles will replace Jason Clark at Madisonville Golf and Country Club. Clark, who heads the North swim program, said he plans to use the summer to travel and spend time with his family, but will help out as needed.
Even in Clark's absence, his influence will be felt at the pool this summer.
"Basically, we're just going to be trying to reciprocate a lot of the things we've learned from (Clark) and coach (Charly) Rothe and put our own little twist on it and try to make the kids have a fun summer," Kington said.
Kington, a former Sharks assistant, represents the youngest coach on staff, but said she's ready for the head coaching title.
"Just graduating (Friday) night, I feel I'm a little young, but at the same time I feel like I've learned a lot from coach Clark and I've learned from the best, so I know I can do it," she said.
Porter, also a recent North grad (2008), said it's different being on the other side as a coach.
Former Madisonville-North Hopkins swimmers Mary Katherine Kington, Joseph Porter and Shawn Sarles will replace Jason Clark at Madisonville Golf and Country Club. Clark, who heads the North swim program, said he plans to use the summer to travel and spend time with his family, but will help out as needed.
Even in Clark's absence, his influence will be felt at the pool this summer.
"Basically, we're just going to be trying to reciprocate a lot of the things we've learned from (Clark) and coach (Charly) Rothe and put our own little twist on it and try to make the kids have a fun summer," Kington said.
Kington, a former Sharks assistant, represents the youngest coach on staff, but said she's ready for the head coaching title.
"Just graduating (Friday) night, I feel I'm a little young, but at the same time I feel like I've learned a lot from coach Clark and I've learned from the best, so I know I can do it," she said.
Porter, also a recent North grad (2008), said it's different being on the other side as a coach.
"It's a little strange I guess because I've been out here since I was four years old," he said. "It's weird to be coaching kids because it just seems like I was this young recently...I'm used to swimming with them, not being in charge of them."
Porter will bring plenty of experience to the Sharks after he swam last season as a freshman at Transylvania University. Still, Porter said he doesn't plan to incorporate much of what he learned at school because many of the Sharks swimmers are still learning the basics.
Sarles, who attends Wake Forest University (N.C.), rounds out the list of new coaches. At Wake Forest, Sarles participates on the school's club swim team.
This summer, Porter might edge his other two coaches for favorite by adjusting the practice schedule.
"I'll keep the basic outline of how coach Clark did it, but I'm going to put in the stuff I like and take out the stuff I hated when I was younger, so maybe the kids will like it better," he said.
Kington admitted she doesn't plan to pursue swimming as a career, but wanted to give back this summer to a sport that has provided her with many memorable experiences.
"I enjoy teaching (kids) how to swim because I love to swim and I know what an impact it's had on my life," she said.
Madisonville's new staff may not boast a college graduate, but Kington said the trio will work together to ensure proper teaching and success in the pool.
"We're young, but at the same time we have a lot of knowledge, a combined knowledge of the sport of swimming, so it should be fun," she said.
Porter will bring plenty of experience to the Sharks after he swam last season as a freshman at Transylvania University. Still, Porter said he doesn't plan to incorporate much of what he learned at school because many of the Sharks swimmers are still learning the basics.
Sarles, who attends Wake Forest University (N.C.), rounds out the list of new coaches. At Wake Forest, Sarles participates on the school's club swim team.
This summer, Porter might edge his other two coaches for favorite by adjusting the practice schedule.
"I'll keep the basic outline of how coach Clark did it, but I'm going to put in the stuff I like and take out the stuff I hated when I was younger, so maybe the kids will like it better," he said.
Kington admitted she doesn't plan to pursue swimming as a career, but wanted to give back this summer to a sport that has provided her with many memorable experiences.
"I enjoy teaching (kids) how to swim because I love to swim and I know what an impact it's had on my life," she said.
Madisonville's new staff may not boast a college graduate, but Kington said the trio will work together to ensure proper teaching and success in the pool.
"We're young, but at the same time we have a lot of knowledge, a combined knowledge of the sport of swimming, so it should be fun," she said.
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