Vernon girls' swim program gaining numbers.

VERNON — To reach one's full potential in any given sport, particularly one with as many individualized training methods and techniques as swimming takes endurance, a strong mental attitude, physical strength, dedication, courage and team work-among other positive characteristics.
If members of the Vernon High School swim program or any athletic program in general is looking for someone who embodies the above mentioned traits than they need look no further than current Viking girl’s swim head coach Jennifer Shirhall.
“Unfortunately, I was diagnosed in September with breast cancer," Shirhall said. “I will still be coaching but I am so blessed to have the kids on my team as well as the boy’s coach, Doug Miller, who was my High School Coach, supporting me through this.
“My kids inspire me every day and this year we will inspire each other, along with having a very ‘Pink’ themed year to raise awareness for breast cancer. We are also looking into fundraising to donate so hopefully one day there will be a cure."
As coach Shirhall stated, she is moving forward with her coaching responsibilities and returning student-athletes for the Vikings include Makenzie Thompson (senior, distance freestyle/back stroke), Emilee Hamler (senior, distance freestyle), Erica Meichsner (senior, butterfly individual medley), Catherine McCabe (junior, freestyle/back stroke), Leticia Noa (junior, freestyle), Olivia Amorosi (junior, freestyle), Lisa Pallis (junior, freestyle/butterfly), Larissa Trongone (junior, individual medley) and Sydney Riker (sophomore, breast stroke).
Promising newcomers for Vernon include Rebecca Bogdewicz (sophomore, butterfly), Karolina Jamiolkowska (sophomore, back stroke/ breast stroke), Sofia Staley (freshman, breast stroke/individual medley) and Adriana Soto (freshman, backstroke/freestyle).
“I will look to my captains and upperclassmen for my leadership this season," Shirhall said. “My three captains are Makenzie Thompson, Emilee Hamler and Erica Meichsner. My junior class has strong leaders as well which is great considering we have many new underclassmen."
The Vikings are scheduled to compete in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Championships on Jan. 26 at Kittatinny and the Sussex County Championships on Feb. 2 at Kittatinny.
“My goals for this year are to have more swimmers qualify for our Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Championships as well as our Sussex County Championship Meets," Shirhall said. “I would also like to see our relays place higher this year which I am confident that they will.
“Last year we were pretty much in survival mode. We did not have the depth to compete with other teams in our League. This year will be much improved from that. We have some talented newcomers to give us that depth and the majority of my varsity swimmers are returning from last year-we only lost three swimmers to graduation. We will be much more competitive this season. I know that graduation hit some teams in our League hard, but many teams have some young talent that will make the overall standings interesting for the end of year.’’