A visit with WPIAL champion coach Jamie Morton


Background Info: Jamie Morton graduated from Moon High School in 1984. He was a four-year starter on the Tigers swimming team. He also swam four years at Westminster College and was a NAIA qualifier in the 100 breaststroke in his junior year. Morton started coaching at Moon in the fall of 1988 after graduating from college. He served as an assistant for one year and took over as head coach in 1989. He was also coach of the Moon Aqua Club. He coached 21 years until 2009. During his tenure at Moon, the Tigers girls team won six straight WPIAL Class 2A team titles from 1994-99. The girls also won PIAA titles in 1996 and 1997. Moon's boys team won WPIAL and PIAA titles in 2001. Morton has also served as a member of the WPIAL Swimming Committee for 23 years, from 1996 to the present, including four years as its chairman.

Jamie Morton's thoughts on coaching WPIAL championship teams
"Coaching both the club program and the high school program gave me a chance to see kids grow over the years in our program. It was so exciting to see them reach their goals of winning WPIAL and PIAA titles. It's so rewarding as a coach to know that you played a part in their success."

Morton's thoughts on the six-year streak of WPIAL titles for his girls team
"We had three groups of seniors that won four WPIAL team titles. That's quite an accomplishment. Consistency was the key during that stretch. The 1994 title was the most exciting, since it was our first. The 1997 team was our best. We won our first PIAA title in 1996 and most of those kids came back for 1997 season. That team was loaded with talent."

Morton's thoughts on being the WPIAL Committee Chairman
"As chairman, I am the point person for the committee and I'm the WPIAL meet director. I love the sport of swimming & diving and being on the committee allows me to stay involved. Swimming has been a big part of my life. I've been involved since I was young. Being on the committee allows me to give back to the sport."

Quotes from WPIAL Executive Secretary Tim O'Malley
"What Jamie has done for swimming is unmatched. He's a tremendously motivated young guy and very disciplined and knows the sport very well. We're happy to have him. He's a credit to the sport and does a great job."