The Vicksburg Swim Association’s new coach will be both a coach and a participant in the Stamm Invitation Swim Meet which began this morning at the Vicksburg City Pool.

Elena English, a collegiate swimmer at Delta State University, replaces former coach Marc Bucat, who resigned on Monday, just five days before the VSA’s annual meet. Bucat, an Alaska native, had been the VSA coach for the past three years.

“It was very unexpected with Marc leaving, but they’ve made me the head coach of the VSA,” English said Thursday. The Warren Central product just completed her junior season at Delta State where she is a freestyle specialist.

The Stamm Meet got underway today with the 10-and-under swimmers on the short course. On Saturday morning, the 12-and-under competitors begin their meet on the long-course. The 13-and-older swimmers start their competition in the afternoon. The meet will conclude on Sunday.

English is looking forward to the double duty.

“I get to coach and swim in the same meet,” she said. “Putting on a meet like this is going to take all of us pitching in. It’ll be a joint effort.”

Because she is so new to the job, English wasn’t quite sure how many swimmers the VSA will have in the meet.

The Ebersoles, including Jase, who swims for Boston College, are staying on the East Coast this summer. English’s teammate at Delta State in Cat Rowan, is also out. Rowan, a sophomore, was a team captain this past season for the Lady Statesmen.

“Cat’s out of town but we will have Mary Alice Chiarito, who swam for a Division III school this year,” English said. Both Rowan and Chiarito swam for Vicksburg High.

The VSA will again face some stiff competition from Sunkist, MAKOS and the Delta Aquatic Club.

English said the Stamm Meet will be the first of four meets this summer for the VSA.

“We’ll be going to a meet in Alexandria, La., Tupelo and then the state meet in Cleveland,” English said.