HEARTCORE DESIGNSWillowbrook's Winning Coaching Staff
Chris Jankowski Kelly is a certified water safety instructor (WSI), has received accreditation with the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA), has her USA Swim Official certification and is Vice President/Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Willowbrook for over 12 years. Kelly is also a USA Swimming Age Group and Novice Coach during the winter months for the Boys and Girls Club Marlins in Mount Kisco, and a Professor of Accounting at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry. Victor Byrne Victor has been coaching for over 15 years with his USA and AAU Club teams. He is certified as both an AAU and USA Official Diving Coach. Victor is also an appointed Diving Coach for the New York State Empire State Games. He is USA Safety trained for Coaching Competitive Diving. USD Safety Certified for Water Safety, and Lifeguard trained. AHA and American Red Cross certified for CPR and AED. Victor’s past and current divers are NCAA champions, as well as USA and AAU National Divers. He has developed some of the top divers in New York State. Victor has also coached with both Olympic divers and past Olympic Diving Coaches.
Head Coach: Willowbrook Alligators Swim and Dive Team
2011 will be Chris’ first summer at Willowbrook. He brings with him a wealth of experience. Chris was formerly the Head Coach at Birchwood Swim and Tennis where he lead their team from 2008 until 2010.
Chris is in his 9th season with the Boys & Girls of Northern Westchester Marlins Swim Team where he is the Associate Head Coach. In addition to coaching the Marlins Swim Team, Chris is the Assistant Coach to the Men’s & Women’s Division II Swim Team at Pace University. During his time away from the pool, Chris works as a personal trainer at Saw Mill Club East.
After graduating from Ossining High School in 2003, Chris attended Pace University in Pleasantville. Chris graduated from Pace University in 2007 with his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a criminal justice minor. In 2009 he graduated from Pace University’s graduate program with his Masters in Counseling Psychology.
Chris enjoys helping swimmers recognize their full potential and work towards their personal goals. He is excited to be joining the Willowbrook Swim & Dive Team as the Head Coach and looks forward to continuing the tradition of excellence that Laura and Kelly have developed in our swimmers.
Laura Polhill
Assistant Coach: Willowbrook Alligators Swim and Dive Team
Laura will be entering her 12th year as a Coach of the Willowbrook Swim and Dive Team in 2011. After a short stint as assistant coach of the Peekskill Recreation swim team from 1998 to 1999, Laura has called Willowbrook her summer home ever since. Willowbrook is a member of the Northern Westchester Swim Conference and has established itself as a summer competitive swimming force in recent years.
During her tenure as Head Coach, Willowbrook was crowned division champions 9 out of 11 years. During this decade plus of excellence, Willowbrook has compiled a 54-2-1 record under her guidance and is consistently one of the top Northern Westchester Swim Conference finishers at the Westchester County Championships (“Counties”) which are held in August.
Laura is a certified water safety instructor (WSI), certified pool operator (CPO), and has received accreditation with the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA). In addition to her competitive swim team responsibilities, Laura is the manager of the Aquatics facility at Willowbrook. During the winter months, she is also a USA Swimming Age Group and Senior Coach for the Ridgefield Aquatic Club, and prior to that for 10 years, at the BGNW Marlins. Laura also swims with the Westchester Masters Swim Team as part of US Masters Swimming.
In addition Laura’s and Willowbrook’s many accomplishments, Laura remains dedicated to all swimmers – no matter what their level or ability. She believes that swimming is an outstanding form of exercise that helps build self-esteem and increases fitness. Whether your child is a novice or hopes to compete at the highest level, we are certain that Laura will provide the support and guidance that they deserve and require.
Laura’s Coaching Record at Willowbrook:
Year
Div
W
L
T
Finish
Other
2010
I
4
1
0
3rd Place Division I
2009
I
6
0
0
Division 1 Champs
Won Championship Meet
2008
I
5
0
0
Division 1 Champs
Won Championship Meet
2007
I
5
0
0
Division 1 Champs
Won Championship Meet
2006
I
5
0
0
Division 1 Champs
Won Championship Meet
2005
I
5
0
0
Division 1 Champs
2004
I
4
1
0
2nd Place - Division I
2003
I
4
0
1
Division 1 Champs
2002
II
5
0
0
Division 2 Champs
2001
III
5
0
0
Division 3 Champs
Won Championship Meet
2000
IV
6
0
0
Division 4 Champs
Won Championship Meet
54
2
1
*Summer Employment- Contact Laura at Lynchamongo65@msn.com
Kelly Blacker
Assistant Coach: Willowbrook Alligators Swim and Dive Team
Kelly will be entering her 8th year as Assistant Coach of the Willowbrook Swim and Dive Team in 2011. With three children of her own who have all been members of the Willowbrook Swim and Diving Team, Kelly is a fixture at the pool. When she is not coaching, she is teaching children, especially young ones, how to swim. Her patience and love of teaching is evident to swimmers of all ages.
Like Laura, Kelly is dedicated to swimmers of all levels and abilities. She believes that swimming is an important skill for children and adults of all ages, and that it is never too late to learn. Regardless of whether your child is a novice or hopes to swim at the highest level, Kelly will provide the support and guidance that they need to succeed and to meet their goals.
Diving Coach: Willowbrook Alligators Swim and Dive Team