Coach Groskoph: Coaching Summit Sailing is a Dream Come True

Coach John Groskoph said he never said yes to anything so quickly in his life until his oldest son Jake asked him to coach the Summit Sailing team.

A sailor his entire life, Groskoph said having the opportunity to coach the team was a dream come true.

"The best part of coaching is seeing them grow as sailors and as a team," he said.

The Summit Sailing Team officially became a varsity sport this January, but has been around since 2010. Five Summit students created the team, which has now grown to 27 members.

The original members include: Will Berkery, Will Elia, Jake Groskoph, Amy Macdonald and Tyler Macdonald. Also, Alex Guior joined pretty early on, Groskoph added.

Groskoph said he was in contact with Athletic Director Mike Sandor since the team began and once they got to a critical size and started practicing and competing Sandor put the proposal to the Board of Education to make the team a varsity sport. The board unanimously approved it in January.

The team held their first practice of the 2013 season last week during the snow. However, Groskoph said none of the sailors complained and they said sailing in the snow was one of the best experiences of their lives.

Although, Groskoph is the coach, he said this the Summit Sailing Team is really the kids' team.

"It has become what it is because of them," he stated.

He added that the leadership and maturity of the sailors has been incredible. 

Right now, Summit Sailing has a Varsity and JV team and a Club Team which consists of sailors with little or no experience who are learning but not competing.

Even 7th and 8th graders have reached out to Groskoph about their interest in joining the team once they get to the high school level.

Check back with summit.patch.com later in the season for more on the Summit Sailing Team.