"I can't control what everyone else swims but if all goes well I know there are no limits."
~Leisl Jones
Another large portion of my passion for teaching happens in another way. It happens at a pool with a refreshing collection of swimmers, coaches, and parents. A high school swim program is one of the last opportunities for the coaches and myself to make an impact on the youth who are about to enter the adult world. Student athletes who participate in the program have different cultural values, experiences with the sport, and life experiences but that contributes to the teams diversity. The swim program balances fostering athletes while growing their life skill sets that these individuals can use for years to come. At any level of swimming, regardless of experience, there is something to be said about learning life skills such as perseverance, honesty, self-discovery, and commitment. The goal of the Creston High School swim program is to allow young adults time to practice being leaders, decision makers, and teaching them how to deal with adversity
The Sports Leadership and Coaching concentration was a natural fit that has benefited the athletes and my own coaching. The knowledge gained in that class has not only benefited my coaching but has also benefited the young assistant coaches who are learning through me. I have included a link to the swimming and diving teams website if you are interested. The website contains swimming and diving records as far back as 1955. The website also has nutritional recommendations for swimmers.
I am honored to be only the third coach in the programs fifty-seven year history. While I am in the waning years of my coaching tenure at Creston, I am still learning and growing as a coach and as a mentor figure. The coaching experience has required sacrifices - both personal and professional, but the athletes have made these past years well worth the sacrifice. The ancient Romans had a saying, “Ad augusta
per angusta" which translates to "to high places by narrow
roads" I believe the statement resonates for the athletes in the program
and for the coaches who work with these young adults.