The Smoke Signal — Stafford High School — Volume 63, Issue 5, Page 8
The Stafford High School girls swimming team is making waves this season under head coach Deborah Kresho. With a young but talented roster, the team is off to a promising start and setting its sights on a strong finish to the year.
Because Stafford does not have its own pool, the team practices at the local YMCA — an arrangement that requires additional coordination and transportation but one that the girls have embraced as part of their routine.
“Practicing at the Y has actually brought us closer together,” said one swimmer. “We spend so much time traveling and working out together that we’ve really become a team.”
Coach Kresho brings experience and a calm, encouraging coaching style to the program. She focuses on technique and building each swimmer’s confidence in the water, which has translated into improved times across the board this season.
“Coach Kresho is really good at figuring out what each person needs,” said sophomore swimmer Allison Park. “She pushes you, but she also makes you feel like you can actually do it.”
The team has benefited from a mix of experienced upperclassmen and eager newcomers who have stepped up quickly. The combination of veteran leadership and fresh energy has created a positive dynamic that coaches and players alike say is fueling their early success.
With the heart of the season still ahead, the girls are focused on continued improvement and hope to qualify multiple swimmers for regional competition.