Kenneth Berk
Head Swim Coach
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Ken is the Head Swim Coach of the Wyckoff Family YMCA Sharks and
is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the team.
Coach Ken recognizes the important role swimming plays in the
development of a well-rounded person and how the team mission
statement of “Creating Champions through the
Pursuit of Excellence” extends into our daily lives.
Under Coach Ken’s guidance, the Sharks have, and will
continue to produce, Scholastic All Americans, Zone, and National
qualifiers. The 2019 / 2020 Sharks pursuit of excellence saw
the team capture the 2020 YMCA 12 & Under State Boys
Championships for the second year in a row. Coach Ken has helped
develop Junior National athletes, YMCA National finalist, Zone
Champions, State record holders and numerous top 25 national award
winners. On the USA Swimming front the Sharks are ranked in
the top 100 out of 2,900 full time swim clubs, and will continue to
develop Junior, Senior and Olympic Trial qualifiers.
Coach Ken was recognized by the State of New Jersey for his
coaching excellence by his induction into the New Jersey State
Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame in 2014.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an
act, but a habit.
Aristotle….
Patricia A Horton
Tiger Group
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Coach Patty began her year round swimming career many years ago,
competing for the Ridgewood YMCA and then as a member of the
Montclair YMCA Marlins. During her high school years, she was a
four time NJ state record holder in the 200 meter breaststroke.
Coach Patty was fortunate enough to attend Junior Nationals held in
Lincoln, Nebraska during the summer before freshman year of
college.
Coach Patty was a four year Varsity swimmer at West Chester
State College (now university) in Pennsylvania. She was voted
captain, by her teammates, during her senior year. She was also a
member of the Varsity tennis team, and was a finalist for the Most
Outstanding Senior in the Health and Physical Education Department.
During the college summers, she coached both the Radburn Swim Team
and the Fair Lawn Swim Team.
Coach Patty resurrected her coaching career in 2006 by working
with the 8 and under age group at the Ridgewood YMCA Breakers. The
following year, working with the 10 and under age group, she had
many Y State level, and JO level contenders. For the next several
years, many of Coach Patty’s swimmers became state champions,
place winners at the Zones Championships, and ultimately some went
on to YMCA Nationals.
Coach Patty is looking forward to working with the swimmers in
the Tiger Group. GO SHARKS, SWIM FAST!!
