Aquatics Staff
Mary Piergalline- Aquatics Director
I was married at the young age of 19 to my soul mate, Dan. I have two children, Christopher and Kelly. I worked many part time jobs during my life. I’ve sold everything from candy to music. I was a substitute teacher for Prince George’s County where I subbed in my children’s schools until they graduated from High School.
In 1987, at the young age of 28, I took my first lifeguarding class. I actually learned how to swim at the same time. I then went to work as a lifeguard for Lazlo Pools, which eventually became Recreational Entertainment Inc. Pool Management Co. I worked for the company for 17 years. My duties included running and operating several different pools in Prince George’s, Howard, Ann Arundel and Montgomery Counties. I eventually went into supervising, staffing coordinator, swim instructor, and taught American Red Cross Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR. I loved my job and the people I worked with but it became very stressful and I was exhausted with the 24/7 non-stop work. So I retired from the pool business. When I left, I was rewarded for my 17 years of dedication by being taken on a seven day cruise. It was great!
I took my next job in 2004, at the Aspen Hill Club, as their Aquatics Director. I have been here for six years. I work as a lifeguard and a Montgomery County Pool Operator. I also teach swimming lessons and CPR for the Aspen Hill Club. I love my job here and the people I work with.
Terry Kominski
Most of my life has been centered around the pool one way or another. I joined my neighborhood summer swim team (Strathmore Bel Pre) when I was eight years old because at 4:00 p.m. there was no one left to play with, they were all at swim practice. Clearly this was “the thing” to do! I participated the next two summers, then when I was 11, I was ready to practice year round. (Back then we didn’t have a pool at Aspen Hill, otherwise I might have been ready sooner!)
I quickly grasped onto the techniques and tough training regimen that is required of a competitive swimmer- and I loved it! It was all I wanted to do. I set many records a during my summer swimming career, as well as with my high school team (John F. Kennedy) where I won a Metro title in the 50 year freestyle event my senior year. I also competed at the Junior National level with my local USS team (RMSC). My efforts helped me earn a scholarship to the University of Tampa where I swam all four years and participated in Nationals with the team several times. I graduated from UT in 1989 with honors in the field of Physical Education/Adult Fitness and Health.
During college I coached my summer swim team. Not long after I began a 17 year run as a coach of my former high school team as well. In the fall of 1991 I started here at the Aspen Hill Club, coaching the masters swim practice and the developing stages of my swim clinic.
Swimming is still what I live for and love. I try to kick/swim everyday. I still coach my summer team. At AHC, between masters practice, competitive swim clinic, and the various private lessons of all ages and abilities that I teach, you can see me up in the pool on almost any given day.
It is a thrill to help people get better at something, and to encourage them to do something positive. It is an even bigger thrill for me, though, the many friendships I have gained and the wonderful relationships that have formed with my swimmers, their parents and grandparents, and my co-workers here at AHC. If I haven’t met, taught or worked with you yet, I certainly look forward to doing so!
Brandon Harris
I am 17 years young and a senior at John F. Kennedy High School and will be attending Guilford University in the fall. I have been an avid year-round swimmer for the past four years, and a lifeguard for almost two years. For the past year I have been a swim instructor. I am great with kids.
Sabrina Klinger
Growing up in a neighborhood with a community pool made my love for water and swimming start at a very young age. I was a member of my community swim team for twelve years, beginning at the age of five, and was a member of the John F. Kennedy High School Swim Team. I was able to perfect all four strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly) through swim lessons and stroke and turn clinics. My outlook toward swimming is although, like any other sport, it takes time to learn, you do not lose the skills.
I began lifeguarding in 2004 at my community pool where I had been swimming for twelve years on the summer swim team. I started lifeguarding at the Aspen Hill Club in 2006 and have been working intermittently since. I feel that no matter how long a person has been swimming or how good they are, there should always be someone watching. I enjoy being a part of the Aspen Hill Club Team and having the opportunity to talk with and get to know the members. In addition to lifeguarding, I am currently a full time student at Montgomery College where I plan to pursue a career in Forensic Science.
Victoria R. Copeland
My name is Victoria R. Copeland, I grew up in the Virginia Beach area and I have always been near the water. As long as I can remember I have been swimming. I began swimming competitively at the age of six and continued through high school. Then I graduated from UNC Greensboro in ’92 and began a career as a social worker concentrating mainly with adolescents and their families.
I am currently a resident of Brookeville, MD and have three children ages 11, 8 and 2 ½, they are all avid swimmers and began swimming at the age of nine months. Shortly after the birth of my first child in 1997 I began teaching at the YMCA in Silver Spring, where I taught for five years. I taught many different areas, water baby classes, adult beginner, stroke development, private lessons, and anything in between. Once I moved back to Brookeville in 2003, I began teaching at the Olney Aquatic Center.
Learning to swim is very important for all. It is a skill that can save lives-your child’s and your own. I teach all levels and ages, one is never too young or too old to lean to swim. I look forward to meeting and teaching the families of the Aspen Hill Club.
Amy Kominski
I have been involved in the sport of swimming for as long as I can remember. I swam competitively for my summer swim club starting at age five and continued to swim through the age of 19. During this time I swam for Rockville Montgomery Swim Club (a USS team) and for the swim team at John F. Kennedy High School. During my competitive days, I favored the 100 and 200 butterfly and the 500 freestyle. During high school I began teaching swim lessons, now with 10 years experience teaching swimming, I have worked with children and adults of all ages. During college, I coached for a USS team in Blacksburg, Virginia and was also a coach for my summer swim team in Maryland.
My philosophy for swimming is that everyone can learn to swim; all it takes is practice and the desire. What I enjoy most about swimming is that moment when it “just clicks” and an individual swims for the first time. The excitement of that moment for both the student and teacher is great; I cannot imagine a day when swimming will no longer be a part of my life. |
