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Share thisRedhawks Announce Scottsville Resident as Head Swim Coach
Competitive Swimmer Since Age 8 will Lead College’s Newest Team In and Out of the Water
Swimming will be the 19th NCAA Division II competitive intercollegiate sport at Roberts Wesleyan College, beginning this fall. The college is proud to announce that its first head swim coach has been hired. Sara Smith of Scottsville, New York, will assume her new role effective immediately. Smith has swum competitively since the age 8. Most recently, she participated in Division 3 NCAA swimming at Nazareth College.
Under her leadership as head coach, Roberts Wesleyan’s swim program will focus on three objectives: personal and physical development; competitive development; and “build, promote, grow,” in terms of the size and success of Roberts’ swimming program.
“I am beyond excited to join the Roberts Wesleyan College Redhawks family as the athletic program expands its tradition of excellence with the addition of a competitive swim program,” Smith said. “I believe the addition of the swim program will continue to enhance the overall experience for Roberts Wesleyan College student-athletes as they continue to follow a path of excellence in academics and athletics. I look forward to the challenge of building this new program and I believe we will see great success for the Redhawks Swim Team.”
Smith received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nazareth College and her master’s in business administration from St. John Fisher. Most recently, she served as head coach and program director for Marlins Swimming Inc., a nonprofit youth organization. She oversaw the development of five swimming levels with 120 swimmers. Prior, she served as the varsity and JV swim coach at Spencerport Central School District.
“The goal of a swim coach is to aide athletes as they strive toward their end goals in and outside of the water,” Smith said. “I believe it’s imperative that coaches work to help athletes identify goals and define a clear plan to achieve them. I have learned a positive atmosphere is critical to foster growth and success. I believe in constant reinforcement throughout practices and competitions.”
She holds several athletic certifications, including USA Swimming Non-Athlete Coaches Certification, Life Guarding, First Aid Certification and CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, all since 2012. She earned her NYS Coach Certification in 2015, as well as an American Swim Coaches Association Certification (Level 2).
Roberts was ranked 44th in The Best 50 Christian College and University Athletic Programs for 2016. Smith and the Athletic Department will continue to recruit male and female student-athletes with competitive swim experience to join the program this fall.
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