New YMCA aquatics director takes hands-on approach

HARDYSTON — The Sussex County YMCAs new Aquatic Director Sarah Navarro takes a hands-on approach to her new YMCA role.

Aside from the supervisory and administrative responsibilities of running the Aquatic Department, she has also taken on the role of assistant coach for the YMCA's competitive swim team.

“I love being part of the teaching process," Navarro said. "I want to be able to share my knowledge of swimming with anyone that wants to learn."

That knowledge comes from her extensive background in swimming. Sarah began her swimming career at the age of 6, where she swam in the Pocono Mountain Summer Swim League for nine years. While in high school at Delaware Valley, she held team records in five events, earned the High Point winner sophomore through senior year, and qualified for states two years in a row. She also was recognized as the Channel 7 News Woman Athlete of the Year in her senior year.

That success carried over into her collegiate career, where she swam for NCAA Division II Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. Specializing in the individual medley, sprint freestyle, butterfly and breaststroke events, where she still holds all-time top five times in the 200 individual medley, 400 Individual medley, 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke events. Navarro graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science–health and physical education with minors in coaching, aquatics and a concentration in sports and exercise psychology.

Navarro began coaching in the summer of 2011 for the Mercersburg Academy Summer Swim Camps, which ran in conjunction with the University of Tennessee. In fall of 2011, to the spring of 2012 she was the assistant coach for the Lock Haven Area YMCA and the Central Mountain High School swim teams, as well as the intern assistant aquatic director for the Lock Haven Area YMCA.

In January of 2012, Navarro formed and coached the special olympics swim team for Clinton County and coached them until their summer Olympics in 2012. In May of 2012, Sarah became the aquatic director at the South Amboy Branch YMCA until May of 2014. While at the South Amboy Branch YMCA she coached the Cyclones for two seasons.

“Sarah’s enthusiasm, vast swimming experience, and wonderful personality make her a perfect addition to our leadership team,” said Jennifer Gardner, executive director Sussex County YMCA.