About 150 fifth-grade students in the New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, area were better swimmers this summer thanks to the volunteer efforts of the swimming and diving student-athletes at Westminster College (Pennsylvania) this spring.

Under the direction of Rob Klamut, head coach of the Westminster men's and women's varsity teams, the Titans provided free swimming lessons for fifth graders in 12 sessions this spring. This is the fifth consecutive year the school has sponsored the community program, which is designed to teach proper techniques and improve the swimming skills of students at all ability levels.

"This program is a great opportunity for the Westminster athletics department and both swimming teams to provide a service to the Wilmington Area School District, which does not have a swimming pool of its own," Klamut said.

Twenty members of the Titan's men's and women's swim teams, who volunteered their time, taught lessons. The youth swimmers were divided into four skill classifications and were taught on a rotating basis each week.

"I know the faculty, administration and students at Wilmington are grateful for the opportunity, which expands their base of physical education opportunities," Klamut said. "It's also a great chance for our students to give something back to the sport they love. Our swimmers enjoy the program as much as the elementary students do."

-- Kay Hawes