It may be a daunting task for a coach to walk into a swim program that was second in the state in its division, but Bob Ostrander feels right at home.

 

Ostrander’s philosophy for the team is to create a fun yet competitive experience. “But it’s not win at all costs, it’s win the right way with honor and grace.”

 

The right way for him is for his athletes to get their best times and to not worry about where they placed.

 

With last year’s core remaining from the Division III state runnerup team, the girls team is poised for success.

 

Ostrander is joined by assistant coaches Jennifer Barlow and Ted Collins, who help him create a more open atmosphere. By making sure he has a female and male coach, Ostrander wants them to be resources for help outside of the pool.

 

Having them around is appreciated by swimmers, including sophomore Tatum Good. Good, who specializes in the 100 backstroke, 50 freestyle and 200 individual medley, recalled the first time she met the new coaching staff when they had the team fill out a questionnaire. The survey included questions about their favorite and best events, best times, swimming experience and what they wanted differently this year.

 

“That felt nice to have a say in what happens on the team in a way.”

 

Though they liked their coach last year, it helps to have three coaches focus more in depth on their strengths and goals this year.

 

With many of their team coming from the Scottsdale Aquatic Club--where Ostrander coaches as well--the coaches work well with only having those swimmers for one to two days that week.

 

Swimmers like sophomore freestyler Taylor Bernosky are confident competing for the club during the offseason.

 

The smaller school size also plays to their advantage in having better relationships with their teammates.

 

Good said that larger teams can have groups that don’t talk to each other, while this team is too small to avoid each other, and they feel more like a family.

 

It also helped to have a team full of returners. Junior Gracie Carefoot said it is important to have the “building blocks” and “fundamentals” in showing new members how the team works.

 

With a positive environment and a talented young core, the swimming program appears to be set up for the next few years.