Wayne Magazine May 2016 | Page 42

“We encourage the girls to celebrate each other’s achievements.” KRISTIN JARGER GOLDEN GIRLS Lauren Valledor tasting sweet victory at the Passiac County championships. WAYNE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL COACHES ANN MARIE McGRATH AND KRISTIN JARGER 40 WAYNE MAGAZINE MAY 2016 ANN MARIE McGRATH AND KRISTIN JARGER KOMAL NERUKAR TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF ANN MARIE MCGRATH: OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS: ANNE-MARIE CARUSO For two years in a row, Ann Marie McGrath, head coach for girls’ fencing at Wayne Valley High School and a freelance photographer, has been named Passaic County’s Girls’ Fencing Coach of the Year. An alumna captain of the school’s team, McGrath competed in Junior Olympics, won an NIWFA National Championship and was inducted into William Paterson University’s Hall of Fame. Kristin Jarger, a special education teacher at WVHS and assistant coach for this 34-member girls’ fencing team (varsity and JV combined), is also an alumna of the school’s fencing team. McGrath says, “Coach Jarger and I believe in a coaching philosophy that interlaces power and grace. When an athlete embraces this concept, she supports her teammates through encouragement, offers forgiveness when necessary and helps teammates to achieve individual greatness, ultimately resulting in our team success.” WVHS fencing is a no tryouts, no-cut team. The coaches feel fencing is a unique sport that many students are not exposed to prior to high school, so it’s difficult to know the potential of an athlete who picks up a weapon for the first time. “We spend as much time helping our newer fencers grow and learn skills as we do honing skills of our standout athletes,” explains Jarger. “As proud as I am of their fencing accomplishments, I’m even more proud of the type of people they are. We encourage the girls to celebrate each other’s achievements,” she says. WVHS expected this to be a rebuilding year, but all fencers rose to the occasion in a winning season as Passaic County Champions for the second year in a row with individual County medalists and additional noteworthy accomplishments for the team, foil and epee fencers in Districts and State Championships. ■