From the Bench: After 33 Years, Multiple State Titles, BHS's Jan Grisso Set to Coach Her Final Swim Meet
By Jeff Toquinto on February 08, 2026 from Sports Blog
At a very recent swim meet involving Bridgeport High School, long-time swim Coach Jan Grisso was approached by a man, who introduced himself. The moment, she said, made her realize just how long she has been coaching the Indians.
“The man came up to me and said ‘I’m Adam Ranson. I was on your first swimming team.’ I looked at him and said, ‘you were a back stroker.’ He let me know I was right,” said Grisso with a laugh. “That was neat having someone from that first team come up to me and 
bring back a flood of memories. Moments like that are so important, particularly this year.”
bring back a flood of memories. Moments like that are so important, particularly this year.”
There is a reason for “this year” having extra meaning. It is the last year for Grisso coaching.
While any time any coach steps down it is a big deal, this hits differently. Bridgeport High School swimming – both the boys and the girls – have known one coach, and that is Jan Grisso. She goes back to an era when swimming was not even a sanctioned WVSSAC sport.
It began in 1992-93. The sport was not sanctioned despite a state meet taking place. And before it was sanctioned, Grisso’s squads won titles or her numbers of championships (get to that shortly) would be even higher.
Here is the unique thing: Grisso did not go out and seek the job that she has spent 33 years doing. A Bridgeport resident sought her out.
“It was (Dr.) Doyle Sickles, whose daughters were great swimmers for me, who got me in this. He was at Bridgeport High School, and I was at Washington Irving at the same time, and he remembered I was a swimmer when they were looking for a coach at the time the approached the Board of Education about starting the program,” said Grisso. “When they allowed it to happen, he asked me if I would coach, and here I am.”
Grisso had nothing but praise for Dr. Sickles and the entire Sickels family. Along with the daughters who were elite swimmers, Grisso said the Sickles family was actively involved with the program for years, even helping strategize the best ways to find a path to victory.
Now, the connection is one step further.
“That relationship is full circle with Kimberly Sickles being my assistant coach,” she said. “I also would never have decided to step down without having someone I felt comfortable with taking over and being able to continue what’s been built. Whether it’s Kimberly or (assistant coach) Wendy Madden, the program is in good hands. That, and the promise I made, are two key reasons I am stepping down with peace
of mind.”
of mind.”
Back to the promise. It involved several seniors on this year’s squad in the classroom setting where Grisso’s day job takes place as an educator.
“I thought about leaving a few years ago, but I had this group of boys in my science class (at Bridgeport Middle School) who were all great swimmers. I promised them I would coach them. They promised they would do their best to win state titles.”
Although there are several standout male senior swimmers this year, there was a particular group in this class that the promise was made to. They are Zach Nicholson, James Hadjis, Cole Parsons, Jacob Keener, and Anderson Mitchell.
“They extended my career. What was great was a first found out they were just a great bunch of kids before I found out how good they were in swimming,” said Grisso. “I looked at the future with them, and they said they would do what they could to win state titles, and they have not let me down.”
Last year, the boys captured the state championship – as did the girls. The year prior, the boys were runners-up. This year, although it is far from guaranteed, the Indians and the boys will be in the running for the top spot.
“We have the tools, and so many of those kids in that 8th-grade class will figure into it, but the path is not easy, and the competition is very 
difficult,” said Grisso. “I’ve given those boys more pep talks about not letting me down this year than ever. They never do.
difficult,” said Grisso. “I’ve given those boys more pep talks about not letting me down this year than ever. They never do.
“What’s really great about both of the teams is they never disappoint you away from swimming,” Grisso, who still teaches half a day and will continue next year, said. “That’s been the case for 33 years. You don’t have problems. They’re fantastic young adults who excel academically. It just has worked.”
Indeed, it has. The boys program has three titles to their credit in 2010, 2019, and 2025. The girls have titles – according to a few state swim Web sites – in 1999, 2000, 2008, and 2025. Grisso thinks there is one more, and there are at least two more before it was sanctioned and too many runners-up finishes to track down. Regardless, she is a winner who despite the fact
she loves to win, knows that is not what is most important.
she loves to win, knows that is not what is most important.
“It’s just the chance to work with the kids,” Grisso said as her voice cracked with emotion. “When I look back over so many years, I hope that I’ve touched as many lives as possible in a manner that these students have touched mine. Winning is the goal, but the value is the chance to work with, and make an impact on, the kids.”
There is a third reason beyond the promise and having who Grisso believes are the right folks in place to continue the program for deciding to hang it up – and that is family. Too often, practices and meets have taken away Grisso’s ability to spend time with family, particularly her grandchildren.
“I don’t want to miss anymore of their 
events, especially sports. My granddaughter is doing gymnastics in college, and I have a grandson in high school, and other little ones doing all kinds of things,” said Grisso. “I’m going to be there for that.”
events, especially sports. My granddaughter is doing gymnastics in college, and I have a grandson in high school, and other little ones doing all kinds of things,” said Grisso. “I’m going to be there for that.”
Grisso, however, will not be going cold turkey on the BHS swimming program after this year’s state meet. You can expect her to be around the pool on a regular basis.
“I will be there to cheer them on,” she said. “While I’m cheering, I know I’m going to miss the coaching. It’s just time, and I hope we can go out with another title.”
That may sound like pressure, and it is. But that promise was made four-plus years ago to get state titles, and that has happened. Now, led by those students from Grisso’s science class, it is just a matter of stepping up to see if they can do it one more time.
Editor's Note: Top and fourth photos show Coach Jan Grisso taking in the action during last year's state swim meet. In the second photo she is shown with, from left, assistants Wendy Madden and Kimberly Sickles. In the third image, Grisso takes a championship plunge in Morgantown, one she has taken many times during here 33 years. In the fifth image, and it is one she has repeated countless times, she hugs a member of the BHS girls team at last year's state meet. Bottom photo, from 2013, shows her hugging standout Frank Csonka. Bottom photo by Ben Queen Photography. All other photos by Joe LaRocca.
