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Swim team dives to victory
Photo Credit: Kate Bell
Nathalie Goulding racing to get first place at the swim meet against Modesto High School.
Carina Estrada, Staff Writer
May 7, 2012
Filed under Sports
Coaching takes time, dedication, and passion. Swim coach Keith Herring has been a dedicated coach for six years. He makes every year a unique experience as he strives for the best and pushes the team to be better.
“I love coaching,” Herring said. “I think it is important to have a balance between education and athleticism.”
Not only does Herring love coaching the swim team, the team also enjoys having him as a coach.
“Mr. Herring is a great coach, he is an inspiration to the team and motivates us to work hard and do our best,” sophomore Alejandra Villasenor said. “When we think we can’t swim another lap, he is there to push us.”
Villasenor is not the only swimmer who feels that Herring is an inspiration to the team. Freshman Kamila Lopez enjoys being on the swim team, and she feels that her athleticism has improved since having him as a coach.
“Coach Herring has helped me push myself farther than I ever expected,” Lopez said. “He encouraged me to work hard and never give up no matter the circumstance, and that is why I feel he is such a great coach.”
Senior Chris Brasil has had Herring as a coach all throughout high school and he feels that Herring taught him many important things.
“Coach Herring is a good coach,” Brasil said. “He encourages us and is a good role model. He has also taught me good attendance.”
Lopez agrees that Herring is a great coach.
“Coach Herring is an awesome coach, he knows how to push the team to our maximum potential,” Lopez said. “I am glad to have this great coaching staff to make a great team like the one we have.”
Herring puts 25 hours every week into the swim team. He leads two different practices and attends all of the meets.
Herring and the coaching staffs’ efforts have not gone unnoticed by his team.
“To have coaches like Janice, Mikayla, and Herring makes the team so great and so close,” sophomore Henna Battman said.
As a coach, Herring helps the team improve their skills so they can do better in competitions.
“I hope that one day the swim team will go undefeated and be champions,” Herring said. “Under my leadership, the girls’ swim team has gone 2-1 and the boys’ swim team have gone 1-2.”
Overall, the team has been able to efficiently work together and so far their efforts are paying off. Herring is satisfied with all the effort that the swimmers have put in.
“Our greatest competition is Modesto High,” Herring said. “We have not received the opportunity to beat them yet. They have always been great athletes and have had their program for a long time.”
Although the team still faces tough competitors, he hopes that the girls will continue to improve.
“I am proud of the girls and the new swimmers because they have improved in their times,” Herring said.