Sports

Coach Spotlight: Girls Varsity Swim coach builds team chemistry and leads swimmers to lots of wins

Josephine Furst and MJ Buitrago • October 2, 2025

Girls Varsity Swim Coach Sally O’Keefe leads the team to a 5-0 start this season.

With the Girls Varsity Swim Coach off to a strong start this season with a 5-0 record, team coach Sally O’Keefe spoke to The Classic about her role on the team.

Beginning her career as a physical education teacher, Coach O’Keefe holds an impressive legacy that includes three PSAL City Championship banners. Last year, she led the swim team to a 10-0 undefeated season, which put the team at the top of Division II in Queens.

Her coaching prioritizes building a team that can “bring out each other’s best.” Coach O’Keefe said she reaches this by staying organized, clearly communicating, and maintaining fair treatment for all her swimmers.

Senior Captain Tenzin Lobsang said, “She treats everyone equally no matter their skill level.” Additionally, Coach O’Keefe said that she “works one on one with everyone” to make sure they get equal opportunities.

Coach O’Keefe also said that she prioritizes building strong team chemistry.

Sophomore Aliyah Angeles said, “Coach Sally is really a happy person who brings such good energy.”

Freshman Paulina Guradak said Coach Sally’s patience really stands out. “There is a good balance of her taking things slow and fast at practice,” she said.

Paulina also said that one of her favorite memories on the team was filming a video for their Instagram page during practice.

Coach O’Keefe said, “allowing the girls to make lasting friendships,” through fun things like this is “important in allowing the girls to develop a love for the sport.”

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About the Contributor

Josephine Furst, Sports Editor

Josephine is a senior at Townsend Harris High School who is interested in pursuing a career in law. She is a member of the Girls Track team, running throughout the school year. Among the pieces she has written for The Classic, her favorites are student profiles, as she enjoys highlighting athletes’ unique stories. Her favorite Classic pieces made by others are the annual college videos, as she enjoys seeing where her peers are headed.