Christina Scherwin is a former Olympic athlete — and more recently, a European masters champions.
She loves watching her javelin fly through the air. She knows that her efforts can be measured precisely, down to the centimeter.
Now, as the Westport Weston Family YMCA‘s new chief operating officer, she can combine her love of sports, her appreciation for the community, and her MBA-honed business acumen, to manage the organization’s operations as effectively and efficiently as possible.
The Aarhus, Denmark native came to the US at 23, to study at Moravian University. She competed at both the 2002 Olympics in Athens, and ’06 in Beijing. In between she placed 4th at the World Championship in Helsinki, and won a World University Games medal.
Scherwin was a Nike athlete in Eugene, Oregon, a track and field m mecca. She coached for 4 years at the University of Oregon, then coached privately for 4 more. One of her male athletes competed in the London and Rio Olympics.
In 2014, she came east to be closer to Denmark. She quickly embraced Westport. Of all the places she’s lived in the US, this feels most like home.

Christina Scherwin
Scherwin earned an MBA at Sacred Heart University. She consulted and did executive coaching with small businesses. In 2018 — spurred by her daughter, a gymnast training with Sally Silverstein — she joined the Y board.
When the COO position opened up recently, she realized it was her dream job. She could be back in sports, while helping people — members and staff — reach their potential.
Last week — just 4 days into her new role — Scherwin talked about her new role.
As with every business, hiring is difficult. There are more jobs available than people qualified or ready to fill them.
Meanwhile, COVID has hit every gym and fitness center hard. All are reassessing their business models.
Of course, the YMCA is not just a gym or fitness center.
“It’s a vital community resource,” Scherwin notes.
Her daughter’s gymnastics, son’s basketball and both children’s Camp Mahackeno experiences are only part of what the Y offers.
Scherwin points to initiatives like a movement group for Parkinson’s patients, and a LiveStrong program for people with cancer.

When camp is not in session, the Mahackeno Outdoor Center is open.
The Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund, meanwhile, provides money for worthy organizations.
And, Scherwin says proudly, “We never turn anyone away from the Y.”
Scherwin is as active as ever. She works out in the Fitness Center (“you have to stay fit for life”), takes YMCA classes, and helps coach high school track and field athletes (including former Staples state champion Angus Fuori).
For years, the javelin circle was her home. Now it’s the Y.
“I want to make this a great place to work, and for everyone to know what a great community resource it is. We’re a welcoming space for all ages — little kids to seniors.”
She’d like to make the Y even more welcoming and important, perhaps adding blood drives and other events.
Scherwin measured her javelin success in centimeters. At the Westport Weston Family Y, she’ll be happy to see more programs, more members — and more smiles.
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