Meet Tara! Tara was born and raised in Interlaken, New Jersey. She currently works in Red Bank as a Health and Physical Education teacher and coaches high school swimming at Wall Township High School. Tara’s life has been profoundly shaped by her passion for sports, particularly swimming, and she joyfully shares this enthusiasm to the next generation.
Her journey began at St. Rose High School, where Tara engaged in many sports – swimming, track and field, and basketball. There, she realized her passion was swimming and decided to continue her favorite sport. Tara pursued swimming in college at Monmouth University, joining their Division I Swim program. She competed as a freestyle and backstroke swimmer, earning many honors during her time as a Hawk. She was a four-time MAAC All Academic Team member and a four-time CSCAA Scholar All-America Team honoree. Balancing the demands of academics and swimming, Tara’s commitment shone through.
Post-college, she continues to be a source of inspiration by coaching high school swimmers and providing private swim lessons. She also still keeps fitness a high priority in her life, by working out at Fitness By The Sea, swimming, yoga, and competing in open water swim races. Read about how swimming played a part in Tara’s life!
Q: What sports did you play growing up?
I only did swimming!
Q:Was there anything that made you hesitant about starting your sport(s)?
I was nervous about not being able to keep up with the other athletes and not being competitive/good enough.
Q: What female athletes (or any athletes) did you look up to?
I look up to surfer Bethany Hamilton and former swimmer Missy Franklin.
Q: What is your favorite memory associated with sports?
Besides the wins and the PR [personal record] times throughout the years, my favorite memories were meeting my college teammates who turned into my second family. I’ve made so many life-long friends through swimming.
Q: How has playing sports helped shape your life?
Playing sports has given me more than I could’ve ever imagined. As I mentioned above, sports gave me teammates and coaches that turned into family and never ending support system. Besides the physical aspect, sports strengthened me mentally as well. Swimming shaped me to be a competitor, to be disciplined, showed me what commitment is and what it meant to stay committed, and taught me how to be humble and driven. Sports showed me how to push the limits and overcome obstacles such as mental and physical tiredness and to enjoy the good, the bad and everything in between.
Q: What advice would you give to young girls who are just starting off in sports?
Find something to smile/laugh about and at least one positive takeaway every day. Swimming is not an easy sport. It’s physically and mentally demanding, but it’s a love like no other. Every practice, meet, and race is different. Outcomes will vary, your times will drop, some cases you’ll add time, you’ll be praised and you’ll be humbled, you will smile and you will cry at times but it’s all part of the amazing journey. If you find at least one good thing that happened that swim session and focus on the positives, you’ll continue to stay on the grind and continue to beat any odds to be the athlete you’re meant to become.
Coach Rachel 