Coaches

Jim Pardun - Head Coach - e-mail Coach Pardun

After serving as an assistant boys swim & dive coach for the past 9 years, Jim begins his inaugural season as the head boys coach.  He brings with him over 25 years of high school coaching experience, and is considered an expert on the proper mechanics of swimming.  Besides coaching, Jim is a math teacher and aquatics director at Vernon Hills High School. He resides in Lake Zurich with his wife Lori and their 4 beautiful children.

Brooke Gabris - Diving Coach - e-mail Coach Gabris

Brooke is very excited she came out of retirement in 2014 to coach the VHHS Boys’ Diving Team, but will retire from teaching PE, Health and coaching at the end of this year.  She coached high school, college and US diving for over 25 years. As a former diver, Brooke finished 5th in the IHSA State meet, won three MAC titles for Ball State University and competed in the NCAA's, US Diving Nationals and Master's. Later she was inducted into BSU’s Hall of Fame.  In retirement, Brooke and her husband will continue sea kayaking, cycling and camping.

Samantha Avila - Assistant Coach - e-mail Coach Avila

This is Sam’s first year coaching at VHHS, but it is not her first time on a pool deck. She’s previously coached high school Boy’s swimming, and for other USA Swim programs. Sam was an all-american high school swimmer, and went on to compete at the collegiate level. Besides coaching, Sam is a social worker at Libertyville High School. She enjoys competing in Ironman triathlons, and spending quality time camping and traveling with her husband, Juan Carlos, and their two dogs.

Radhika Joshi - Assistant Swim Coach

Radhika is excited to back for her second year as the assistant coach. Radhika has been swim lesson supervisor for the last 3 years. Radhika is also the Girls Head Badminton coach. She has three children, one presently attending medical school, one in dental school and one in LA working at a hospital.