Swim Team Aims for Gold at Meet

For the last three months, the San Fernando Sharks swim team has been working to perfect its strokes with dreams of capturing gold at a regional swim meet today.

The Sharks hope their hard work will pay off when they match strokes with other Southern California competitors at the Amateur Athletic Foundation Swim Meet at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Swim Stadium in Exposition Park.

The 28 boys and girls on the Sharks squad plan to compete in numerous individual and team events during the daylong competition, recreation director Gwen Indermill said.

Young swimmers--ages 7 through 16--will compete in divisions based on age and gender, Indermill said.

To prepare for the meet, the Sharks squad has practiced an hour a day four days a week at San Fernando Recreation Park Pool under the watchful eye of swim coach John “JP” Berryman and assistant coach Lonnie Maybin, Indermill said.

“[JP] brings a philosophy of discipline and fun to swim practices,” Indermill said. “Swimmers are exposed to both regimented workouts and fun activities.

“He designs practices to keep kids interested and enthusiastic,” Indermill added. “Most importantly, both JP and Lonnie focus on developing a positive experience for the kids.”