THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 28, 1996 TAG: 9607260222
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 56 lines
SINCE GREENBRIER COUNTRY Club opened the doors to its pool in 1988, the Greenbrier Seahawks have posted a 14-1 divisional record.
And head coach Ian Graham, 21, has been around to see every meet.
Graham, a 1993 graduate of Norfolk Catholic and a rising senior at James Madison University, along with assistant coach Jud Dinsmore, who'll be a senior at William and Mary, have helped the Seahawks to titles as swimmers and coaches. Christi Dinsmore, Jud's sister, is also a first-year assistant after swimming with Greenbrier last year.
At press time, Greenbrier was heavily favored to take the Marlin Division championship in the Virginia Beach Swim League after posting a 5-0 record in their first year competing in the league.
Greenbrier notched a 5-0 record in the Porpoise Division last year, but moved up in the league based on its qualifying times.
``It wasn't expected,'' Graham said of his team's quick success in the higher league. ``We were just hoping for a winning season. I'm very happy and surprised.
``The kids are so enthusiastic about swimming and that makes it easy.''
Graham and the Dinsmores, who coach 116 swimmers, are dedicated to giving back something to the club that introduced them to competitive swimming.
``I wanted to stay around the pool and teach the kids,'' Graham said. ``There's such a wide range of age groups - from five to 18 - and they're all different. They all have something to contribute and it's fun. It's the best summer job anyone could have. I'm out here playing with the kids all day. You can't ask for much more.''
What Graham and his staff are asking for, however, is a good showing in the Virginia Beach Swim League All-Star meet, which gets underway next Saturday at Great Bridge Swim and Racquet Club at 8:30 a.m.
There, 24 teams in four divisions will compete.
``I'm expecting a very close meet,'' Graham said. ``I'm expecting us to swim well. The kids have been practicing very hard.''
Expecting to take individual titles are Geoff Parrish and Casey Moore.
Parrish, 8, holds the club record in the 25 freestyle and according to Graham, he should break it easily in this week's competition. Parrish, who'll be a fourth-grader at Great Bridge Intermediate, swam a 16.56 last season and has twice topped his effort this year. His best time is 15.85.
Moore, 12, is heavily favored in the 50 freestyle and butterfly events.
No matter the outcome, Graham is confident the kids will gain an experience they'll never forget in the meet.
``We try to emphasize learning and have fun at the same time. Winning is a bonus and sometimes comes along with it. The winning isn't as important as the sportsmanship, learning and fun.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Ian Graham is head coach of the Greenbrier Country Club swim team.
Helen Chertoff, 15, works on her butterfly stroke. by CNB