A history of success and a

model of character

The Cornerstones of Orinda Aquatics

Character

Character is what you are in the dark.

A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes
anothers. Jean Paul Richer
Any fool can criticize, condemn, or complain, but it takes character and
compassion to be understanding and forgiving. Dale Carnagie

Humility

When it is all over, its not who you were. It is whether you made a difference.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. Rick
Warren
Humility is the necessary veil to all other graces. William Gurnall

Academics

All of your scholarship, all of your studywould be in vein if at the same time you
did not build your character and attain mastery over your thoughts and your
actions. Mahatma Gandhi

Athletics

The gem cannot be polished without friction. Adversity introduces a man to

himself.
I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team. I defer to it and sacrifice for
it, because the team is the ultimate champion. Mia Hamm
"Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance. Samuel
Johnson

Orinda Aquatics Accomplishments

2011
(From a team of less than 100 swimmers)

Five Olympic Trial Qualifiers (OA or current college)

Three Senior National Qualifiers (two LC, one SC)
Seven Junior National Qualifiers
Seventeen swimmers qualified for Santa Clara International
Thirty-three Sectional Qualifiers
Nearly sixty Far Western Qualifiers
One Pacific Swimming Record!
OA Swimmers set four North Coast Records!
Four OA Swimmers selected for All-East Bay
Initiated a Character Camp in 2011 (with this group as a model)
Club Excellence, Silver Medal Team
Club Recognition, Level 4 (of 4, only ten on the west coast)
One of the best small teams in the nation (by USA Swimming
Virtual Club Championships)
American Swimming Magazine feature as Best Practices in USA
Swimming
Orinda Aquatics coaches give a USA Swimming On-Line Seminar on
character in young athletes
OA Highlighted on USA Swimming website for giving back in
support of Swaziland swimming
Coaches to speak at ASCA World Clinic on putting Character First
One of the highest percentages of Scholastic All-Americans and
swimmers going on to swim in college in the nation

A Strong History of
National Development and Academic Success
Olympians

1. Kim VandenbergUCLA/Campo/MTSC (800 Free Relay, 2008-Bronze Medal)

2. Peter VarellasStanford/Campo/MTSC (Mens Water Polo, 2008-Silver Medal)
Olympic Trial Qualifiers
1. Kim Vandenberg UCLA/MTSC
2. Amy Thurman UCLA/Meadow
3. Scott Lathrope Stanford/MCC
4. Heather White CAL/Miramonte HS
5. Tyler Angelo Notre Dame/WC
6. Kristen Lewis UCLA (current Cal asst)/MCC
7. Katie Arnold UCLA/Springbrook
8. McCall Dorr SMU/Las Lomas
9. Lauren Beaudreau Richmond/Springbrook
10. John Dorr USC Post-grad/Las Lomas
11. Lindsay Hart Harvard/WC
12. Artemis Daphnis Arizona/Sleepy Hollow
13. Katie Ure UCSB/Sleepy Hollow
14. Lindsey Sharp Washington/Sleepy Hollow
15. Zach Disbrow West Point/Sleepy Hollow
16. Steven Stumph OA current
17 Andrea Ward UCSB/OA
18. Chris Peterson UCSB/OA

National Qualifiers
1. Justin Chiles Princeton/MTSC
2. Scott Metcalf Harvard/MTSC
3. Jillian Ochs UCLA/Las Trompas
4. Jessie Krompier Stanford/WC
5. Bob Stinson Arizona/Dewing Park
6. Tyler Schlenker -USC/Miramonte rec
7. Matt Lyon CAL/Oakland
8. Taylor Dahl UCLA/Springbrook
9. Aphrodite Daphnis UCLA/Sleepy Hollow
10. Quinn Fitzgerald Yale/Oakland
11. Megan Baumgartner Stanford/Marin
12. Elyse Corwin Maryland/MCC
13. Sven Campbell OA current

US Open Qualifiers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Maggie Bever Washington/Montclair

Hope Thurman UCLA/Meadow
Dustin Luchini UC Irvine/Rodeo
Chelsea Pfohl NYU/Miramonte rec
6. Sarah Heath Tufts/Springbrook
Kelsey Lewis UCSB/WC
Chris Peterson UCSB/Pinole
Marisa Chang Washington/OPP

Junior National Qualifiers

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Eric Tang Columbia/Mira rec

Darren Pagan Columbia/Oakland
Joe Unruh Naval Academy/SHST
Shane Tutass - Columbia
Kellen Ranahan Cal Poly
Peter Varellas Stanford (WP)
Allison Shasky UOP/Rancho
Marc Cavallero UCSB/MTSC

19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.

Andrew Schneider USC/LT

Sophy Levy UCSD/Oakland
Lindsey Vance UCSB/MCC
Suzy Bagg UCSB/MCC
Peter Conte CAL (WP)/Mead
Bryan Zenoni - DVC/MTSC
Dani Lachowicz- Dartmouth/Mead
Heather Prince Colorado/MVP

9. Megan Kelly Pepperdine/SHST

10. Jenny Lyons UCSB/SHST
11. Mark Shveyd DVC/SHST
12. Tanner Burke Penn/LMYA
13. Alex Stuart Ohio State/MCC
14. Caroline Lukins OA/OCC
15. Jill Jones OA
16. Andrea Ward OA/San Leandro

27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.

17. Courtney White OA current

18. Chris Leon OA current

35. Clay Sanders Current/MRSC

36. Jeffrey Strausser OA/SB
37. Robbie Ashby OA/MCC

Collegiate Team Captains(so far)

1.Justin Chiles Princeton
2. Zach Disbrow West Point
3.Kristen Lewis UCLA
4.Peter Varellas Stanford (WP)
5.Annie Reding Columbia/OPP
6.Marc Cavallero UCSB
7.Suzy Bagg UCSB
8.Maggie Bever Washington
9.Lindsay Hart Harvard
10.Becca Reingold Middlebury
11.Colin Scott Boston College
12.Dustin Luchini UC Irvine
13.Kent Holland Brown (WP)
14. Megan Lynn Carleton
15. Shelbi Luchini Washington State

James McLaughlinW. Point

Jessica Ivry Emory/Meadow
Max Parrague UC Irvine/SH
Kris Kao UC San Diego/OPP
Sean Haufler OA/OCC
Chris Chuck OA/Las Trampas
Shelbi Luchini OA/Rodeo
Tommy Dowley Cal/Rancho

2011 High School Finishes in

Record Breaking Fashion:
The 2011 High School swimming season concluded this weekend in super fast fashion at
the North Coast Sectional Championships. At the fastest NCS in history, several records
fell and the depth of the competition was at an all time high. Kudos to all swimmers that
made it back for finals because the meet was blistering fast. OA swimmers were a
part of four NCS record performances:

Steven Stumph broke the NCS mark in the 200 IM in a

time of 1:49.46
Sven Campbell broke the 100 Back record pacing a
49.73.
Jeff Strausser, Sven Campbell, Tor Jensen and Robby
Ashby shattered one of the oldest records standing
with a 3:03.97 in the 400 Free Relay
Strausser, Campbell & Ashby were also members of the
200 record breaking 200 Free Relay with a time of
1:23.35.

Finishing a close 2nd were Jeffery Strausser 50 Free 20.69,

Sven Campbell 100 Free 45.24 & Chris Leon 100 Breast 55.99.
OA swimmers paced their high school teams to top three finishes. Shannon Herman's
San Ramon Wolves took the women's title outpacing Megan Fuqua's Carondelet Cougars.
Campolindo was third in the women's competition. Congrats to all OA members of the
Campolindo Men's team which finished with its 7th straight NCS title.
Other OA Finalists: 200 Free: Courtney Whyte (11th), Megan Bicamong (13th),
Robbie Ashby (4th). 200 IM - Shannon Herman (8th), Emily Giambastini (15), Annie
Larsen (16) Chris Leon (7th), Albert Miao (10th). 50 Free: Erin Schoenfeld (11th). 100
Fly: Courney Whyte (10), Cassidy Fuller (15th), Annie Larsen (16th). 100 Free: Megan
Bicamong (6th), Jenna Haufler (12) Jeff Strausser (4th). 500 Free: Robbie Ashby (4th),
Clay Sanders (8th), Talbot Jacobs (14th). 100 Back: Hannah Grubbs (8th), Albert Miao
(9th), JD Ratchford (11th). 100 Breast: Shannon Herman (13th), Megan Freeman
(14th), Allie Light (15th).
Relay Finalists: 200 Medley Relays: Sam Swinton & Erin Schoenfelf - Mira (6th), Emily
Giambastini - Acalanes (7th), Hannah Grubbs, Erica Mueller, Cassidy Fuller-Campo
(10th), JD Ratchford & Clay Sanders-Campo (8th). 200 Free Relays: Megan Bicomong &
Courtney Whyte - Campo (1st), Jenna Haufler, Erin Schoenfeld & Megan Howard-Mira
(7th), Gabe Ostler - Mira (6th). 400 Free Relays: Megan Bicamong, Padon Sivesind &
Courtney Whyte - Campo (3rd), Emily Giambastini - Acalanes (7th), Jenna Haufler &
Megan Howard - Mira (8th), Riley Kalbus - San Ramon (11th).

Historical Team Accomplishments

2006 Team Accomplishments
Sent five swimmers to US National Championships and twelve swimmers to Junior Nationals
Kim Vandenberg (former OA swimmer) wins the National Championship in the 200 Fly
Team finished in the top five at JOs, Far Westerns, and Sectionals (all 100+ team meets)
Selected as a Silver Medal Club in USA Swimmings Club Excellence Program (35th in the nation)
Sent all 18 graduating Seniors to Collegiate programs including Stanford, UCLA, Cal, USC, Notre Dame, and
Columbia

2005 Team Accomplishments:

Represented by four swimmers at the US National Championships this summer
Had three swimmers achieve the Olympic Trial qualifying time
Finished sixth at the Junior National Championships (a national meet for 18&under swimmers)
Finished fourth at the Pacific Swimming Age-Group Championships (60+teams)
Finished fourth at the Far Western Championships (100+teams)
Had the strongest club presence at North Coast with 15 All Americans and 30 top 16 swimmers
Sent ten of thirteen graduating Seniors to collegiate swimming programs including Stanford, Washington ,
UCSB, Richmond , Cal Poly, William & Mary, Dennison, and the US Naval Academy

2004 Team Accomplishments:

Represented by four swimmers at the Olympic Trials in Long Beach - Kim Vandenberg 200 fly-5th
Finished 2nd at the summer long course Junior National Championships with over 140 of the top teams
from across the country
Top 6 at Far Westerns (over 120 teams) and Pacific Swimming Age-Group Championships
Sent 90% of our graduating Seniors to Collegiate Swimming programs including Harvard, UCLA, NYU, West
Point, Duke, Washington, Arizona, and Boston College

2003 Team Accomplishments:

Top 6 at the Pacific Swimming Age-Group Championships, Far Westerns, and Sectionals
Sent 12 swimmers to the USA Senior National Championships, placing 3 females in the top 20 in the 100
meter Butterfly and Scott Lathrope on the National Junior Team
Sent 15 high school graduates to swim for collegiate programs (90% of our graduating class)
Over 50 Orinda Aquatics swimmers qualified for North Coast
At NCS, OA had 52 top 16 swims, 33 top 8 (final) swims, and 13 top 3 swims, and 25 All-Americans
OA placed 4 swimmers in the top 5 of the womens 100 Freestyle

20012002 USA Swimming - Team Accomplishments

1st overall at the 2002 Long Course Pacific Swimming Championships
3rd overall at 2002 SC Far Westerns Championships
1st overall at the 2001 Speedo Midwest Sectional Championship
1st overall at the 2001 Pacific Swimming Long Course Championships
Finished 1st at the 2000 Short Course Far Western Championships
Placed 8 swimmers in the National Top 16 in 2001
Placed 16 relays in the National Top 16 in 2001
Placed over 30 swimmers in the Pacific Swimming Top 16
Two Olympic Trials qualifiers: Amy Thurman and Kim Vandenberg
Broke 6 Pacific Swimming Records and 1 National High School Record

Graduating Class of 2011

Average GPA 3.75
Name

High School

College

Notes

Jordan Tomimatsu

Bishop ODowd

Fordham University
Swimming

Campolindo

University of Notre Dame

Swimming

Campolindo

Claremont McKenna
Swimming

Berean
Christian

UC Santa Barbara
Swimming

Clay Sanders

Campolindo

Duke University
Swimming

Padon Sivesind

Campolindo

Cal Poly (SLO)

Swimming

Jeffrey Strausser

Campolindo

Brown University
Swimming

Caitlin Hamilton

San Ramon

UC Davis

Eva Erickson

Campolindo

TCU

Jr Natl SC Qualifier/Sr Natl SC

Scholastic All-American
Team Captain/Coachs Award(s)
Dragon Ambassador
Jr National Qualifier/Sr Natl SC
Virginia Hall Award Winner
Swimming/Scholastic All-American
Sectional Qualifier
Double DFAL Finalist
Scholar Athlete
Jr National Qualifier/Sr Natl SC
Swimming/Scholastic All-American
High School Team Captain
Jr National Qualifier, NCS Team
Champion, Scholastic All-American
National Merit/Eagle Scout
Santa Clara International
Swimming/Scholastic All-American
National Merit, Coaches Award(s)
Jr National Qualifier/Sr Natl SC
NCS team champion/NCS Record
All American
Far Western Qualifier
Academic All-American Candidate
SRVHS Leadership
Santa Clara International

Steph Wraith

San Ramon

William and Mary

Club swimming

Callie Roberts

College Prep

Duke University

Team Captain
Courtney Whyte

Team Captain
Sloan Caldwell

Chris Leon

Far Western Qualifier

National Merit, AP Scholar (honors)
Academic All-American Candidate
Far Western Qualifier
Academic All-American Candidate
National Academic Award Invited
to White House (met President)

Clay Sanders, Duke University

Dear Orinda Aquatics Swimmers, Coaches, & Families,
To say my two years as a member of this team have been transformative would be an understatement.
Just in quantifiable termstimes, standards, workout groupsI have progressed more than I could ever have
imagined. Two years of training and challenging sets, more laps and yards than I care to count, they have pushed
my physical limits to new heights. I have become fastidious with stroke technique, obsessive with perfect
pacing, and capable of attacking even the most herculean of sets with a warrior mentality. But reflecting upon
my time on the team, I come away with much more than an appreciation for the physical strength and ability I
have developed.
Theres a quote Ronnie and Donnie often give usby Theodore Roosevelt, one so simple and
seemingly trite it is easy to dismiss it: Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an
individual and of nations alike. In the midst of the twenty plus hours we spend a week swimming, the concept
of strengthening ones character might seems pretty abstract. It is much easier to focus on the tangible aspects of
swimmingtimes, races, and championshipsor even just to survive through practices. Yet ultimately, the
outcomes of races, our victories or failures, do not really define our swimming careers or personal growth.
Rather, how we choose to spend our hours and hours of training defines us as athletes and people. Through our
daily decisions to face challenges or flee from them, to support teammates or focus on ourselves, to make an
extra effort or take a path of least resistance, we determine our own success and the success of the team. Theres
a reason we have meetings about character every week and that each workout is printed with an inspirational
quote. Each practice and set offers us the opportunity to grow more mature and disciplined. While getting
stronger may be the immediate benefit of swimming, in the long run, its character growth and friendship that
counts.
Thank you Ronnie, Donnie, Dave, Matt, and Marc for your commitment to help each of us reach our
potential, both personally and athletically. Thank you for the quotes, for the lessons, for standing on deck in the
rain and wind and below-freezing temperatures. You sincerely care about each member of this team, and have
devoted immeasurable energy forming Orinda Aquatics into a positive, supportive community. Ronnie, your
mentorship and support have helped open doors for me I never dreamt possible. Donnie, your guidance has
challenged me not only to become a stronger athlete, but a more effective and compassionate teammate and
person. Thank you to my team mates, your work ethic and passions for swimming are inspiring; your friendship
and camaraderie, incredible.

Graduation Class of 2010

Name

High School

College

Brooke Woodward

Miramonte

Emory University
Swimming

Jill Jones

Berean Christian

Cal Poly SLO

Swimming

Andrea Ward

Campolindo

UC Santa Barbara
Swimming

Rachel Cleak

Campolindo

Cal Poly SLO

Swimming

Ben Smith

Campolindo

Chapman University
Swimming (club)

Delia Salomon

Berkeley High School

Grinnell College
Swimming

Christy Tormey

Carondelet

Duke University

Amanda Schlenker

Campolindo

University of the Pacific

Swimming

Hayley Russell

Campolindo

University of Texas

Lauren McGill

Athenian

Cal Poly SLO

Jenny Hu

CPS

Tufts
Swimming

Micaela Hahn

CPS

Carleton College
Swimming

Kayley Watson

Campolindo

Katy Yeh!

Miramonte

University of San Diego

Crew
Lewis & Clark
Swimming

Stephen Kingery

Campolindo

John Hopkins
Water Polo

Lindsey
Mascheroni

Campolindo

Loyola Marymount
Swimming

Aly Levine

Berkeley High School

Williams College
Swimming

Alanna Hulburd

Bentley High School

Georgetown University
Swimming
Stanford
Water Polo

Joined summer 2010

Lizzie Peiros
Joined summer 2010

Campolindo

Notes
Team Captain OA/High School
All-America (swim/academic)
NCSA Jr. Natl Qualifier
Team Captain OA/High School
Jr. National Qualifier/Sr. Natl SC
Virginia Hall Award Winner
Team Captain OA
Sr. National Short Course
All-American
Team Captain OA
High School AA
Jr. National SC
Team Captain OA
NCS Team Champion
Eagle Scout, Scholar Athlete
Team Captain HS/Far Western Qualifier
International Baccalaureate
Swam 2/3 of English Channel
NCS team champion
Natl Merritt (Honor Society/Aca. AA
Sectional Qualifier
Sectional Qualifier
Most Improved OA 2009
Swazi Suit Project
Sectional Qualifier/HS AA
Hall Award Winner
Scholar Athlete
Far Western Qualifier
High School Team Captain
Athenian Wilderness Experience
Sectional Qualifier
Team Captain HS
Scholar Athlete
Far Western Qualifier
Team Captain High School
Mission Trips
Sectional Qualifier
Mission to Haiti
Team Captain High School
Sectional Qualifier
Scholar Athlete
Sectional Qualifier
High School AA/NCS team champion
Scholar Athlete
Sectional Qualifier
Scholar Athlete
NCS Top 16
NCSA Jr. Natl
Academic AA
International Baccalaureate
Sectional Qualifier
Academic AA
AA Water Polo/Academic
Top 100 East Bay Athletes

Letter to Team from Brooke Woodward

To the past, present, and future Orinda Aquatics swimmers and families,
You are so lucky to cross paths with Orinda Aquatics. No quote, story, or video could ever fully explain the
feeling and deep connection that this team provides its swimmers. Through commitment to this team we learn
pride and purpose, sacrifice and discipline, and love and passion.
It is extremely hard to write this letter because I am not ready to leave the team that has been my
backbone through the past six years. Reflecting on my Orinda Aquatics swimming career, I will never remember my
times, the grueling sets, or any important meets. Instead, I will always cherish the lifelong relationships that I built
over my years on the team and how they have changed me.
In life, we gradually shape our identities through our reactions to the people and environments that
surround us, so we truly become that to which we are most exposed. For this reason, every Orinda Aquatics
swimmer is incredibly lucky to be influenced by the teams philosophy, have access to the coaches wisdom, and
have the constant support of extraordinary teammates.
Orinda Aquatics is not a regular team. The pool environment is a haven where passion, dedication, unity,
and character thrive. Our team truly lives its mission statement. Some outsiders may call it cultish, but it is hard not
to be extremely close with those with whom you share morals, goals, and a lifestyle. In a community where drug
and alcohol use increasingly threaten teenagers, Orinda Aquatics is a sanctuary that encourages us to pursue
athletics, academics, and personal growth at the highest level. When the academic, athletic, and social pressures of
high school hit, I found myself splitting my time between studying and training at the pool. Where schoolwork often
seemed tedious, swimming became the exact opposite. This team has taught me how to live a life of value and
leadership, but as much as I have grown from my years on Orinda Aquatics, it may be an even greater privilege to
watch how the team has changed the life of many individual team members.
Ronnie and Donnie: you are blessings to our team, our families, and our community. No amount of
description could truly do you justice. You are the cornerstone of the true purpose of athletics. Thank you for
passionately showing us lifes most important lessons and changing our lives selflessly and humbly. Thank you for
teaching us humility, integrity, compassion, respect, honesty, work ethic, and commitment. Although you convey
your wisdom through talks, quotes, stories and videos, we learn the most from watching how you live your daily
lives. I could not have asked for better mentors, role models, and coaches, and I know my friendships with you will
last forever.
As my last summer weeks pass by, its hard not to wish for a few more days, weeks, or even years to spend
with the team. My largest fear as I head off to college is that I will not find a group of people who matches my
Orinda Aquatics family. However, I know that the relationships formed on this team are ones which will last a
lifetime and my class graduating means another fresh group of swimmers who are lucky enough to spend their high
school swimming career with Orinda Aquatics.
To the teams past swimmers: thank you for being the framework for an incredible program and setting the
standard for the years to come. To the teams present swimmers: enjoy the time you have left on Orinda Aquatics,
soak up the lessons there are to learn, love everything for what it is and how it can help you as a person, and
remember that your swimming career is not defined by your time on the scoreboard. To the teams future
swimmers: I envy that you are just beginning your Orinda Aquatics journey and I wish you the best, continue to set
the standard for the years to come.
Thank you Orinda Aquatics. From the bottom of my heart, my daily life will not be the same without you,
but your message will always guide me. I will miss you. Love, Brooke Woodward

College History (Past 10 years)

Class of 2011:
Courtney Whyte
Jordan Tomimatsu
Chris Leon
Sloan Caldwell
Padon Sivesind
Eva Erickson
Clay Sanders
Jeffrey Strausser
Caitlin Hamilton
Steph Wraith
Callie Roberts

Notre Dame (swimming)

Fordham (swimming)
UC Santa Barbara (swimming)
Claremont McKenna (swimming)
Cal Poly (swimming)
TCU
Duke University (swimming)
Brown University (swimming)
UC Davis
William and Mary (club swimming)
Duke University

Class of 2010:
Brooke Woodward
Andrea Ward
Jill Jones
Jenny Hu
Christy Tormey
Amanda Schlenker
Rachel Cleak
Aly Levine
Hayley Russell
Ben Smith
Katy Yeh!
Micaela Hahn
Delia Salomon
Lauren McGill
Stephen Kingery
Lindsey Mascheroni
Alanna Hulburd
Lizzie Peiros

Emory University (swimming)

UC Santa Barbara (swimming)
Cal Poly (swimming)
Tufts (swimming)
Duke University
UOP (swimming)
Cal Poly (swimming)
Williams College (swimming)
University of Texas
Chapman (swimming, club only)
Lewis & Clark (swimming)
Carleton (swimming)
Grinnell (swimming)
Cal Poly
Johns Hopkins (water polo)
LMU (swimming)
Georgetown (swimming)
Stanford (water polo)

Class of 2009:
Tommy Dowley
Chris Chuck
Molly Howland
Jeremy Chang
Shelbi Luchini
Isa Guardalabene
Caroline Lukins
Jake Reingold
Sean Haufler
Olivia Alva
Stephen Loomis

Cal Berkeley (swimming)

UC Santa Barabara (swimming)
UCLA Honors Program
UC San Diego - Medical School Program
Washington State (swimming)
Dartmouth (swimming)
Columbia (swimming)
Franklin & Marshal (swimming)
Yale (swimming)
Washington State (swimming)
Pepperdine (water polo)

Bret Lathrope

UCLA (water polo)

Class of 2008:
Kendall Weikert
Shane Tutass
Nik Block
Jack McMahon
Nate Erickson
Vinnie Liang
Molly Sharp
Zoe Swank
Emily Vance
Haley Strausser
Roger Ward
Brian OHara
Chris Peterson
Scott Pierce

Dartmouth (swimming)
Columbia (swimming)
NYU(swimming)
University of New Orleans (swimming - Captain)
Air Force Academy (swimming)
UCLA (honors)
University of Hawaii (swimming)
UC Santa Barbara
James Madison (swimming)
Brown University (swimming)
DVC/University of the Pacific (swimming)
DVC (swimming)
UCSanta Barbara (swimming)
DVC (swimming)

Class of 2007:
Kelsey Lewis
Dustin Luchini
Sara Davidson
Becky Penskar
Ben Forster
Chelsea Pfohl
Max Parrague
Shanna Hoversten
Michelle Estrada
Chelsea Regan
Kendl Sankary
Maddie Kennedy
Lindsey Watson
Katie Bever

UC Santa Barbara(Swimming)
UC Irivine(Swimming)
Williams College(Swimming)
Northwestern University
Claremont McKenna (Swimming)
NYU(Swimming)
UC Irvine(Water Polo & Swimming)
Claremont McKenna(Swimming)
UC Santa Cruz(Swimming)
NYU (Swimming)
UCLA
Ithica College(Swimming)
Mission to Africa (Good luck Lindsey!)
Azuza Pacific

Class of 2006:
Tyler Angelo
Anya Disbrow
Gracie Espinoza
Kelley Fernbacher
Kent Holland
Kris Kao
Jesse Krompier
Megan Lynn
James McLaughlin
Tyler Schlenker
Andrew Schneider
Nicole Schrakamp
(Swimming)

Notre Dame University (Swimming)

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Swimming)
University of California at Santa Barbara (WP)
Brown University (Water Polo)
University of California at San Diego (Swimming)
Stanford University (Swimming)
Carleton College (Swimming)
US Military Academy at West Point (Swimming)
USC (Swimming)
USC (Swimming)
University of California at Santa Barbara

Mark Shveyd
Nick Stefan
Eric Tang
Hope Thurman
Katie Ure
Heather White

Diablo Valley College (Swimming)

Southern Methodist University (Swimming)
Columbia University (Swimming)
UCLA (Swimming)
University of California at Santa Barbara (Swim)
University of California at Berkeley (Swimming)

Class of 2005:
Lauren Beaudreau
Jon Behnke
Marisa Chang
Charlotte Labdon
Scott Lathrope
Kellen Ranahan
John Savage
Alex Shakibnia
Lindsey Sharp
Zach Snyder
Joe Unruh
Betsy Varellas
Taylor Watson

University of Richmond (Swimming)

Denison University (Swimming)
University of Washington (Swimming)
University of California, Santa Cruz (Swimming)
Stanford University (Swimming)
Cal Poly (Swimming)
College of William & Mary (Swimming)
UCLA
University of Washington (Swimming)
University of Miami
United States Naval Academy (Swimming)
University of California at Santa Barbara
Pepperdine University (Water Polo)

Class of 2004:
Sylvia Beck
Maggie Bever
Claire Coughlan
Lindsay Hart
Brad Hartstein
Jason Kawasaki
Matt Martin
Vanessa Metcalf
Jillian Ochs
Jesse Sandberg
Colin Scott
Bob Stinson

US Military Academy at West Point (Swimming)

University of Washington (Swimming)
Loyola Marymount (Crew)
Harvard University (Swimming)
New York University (Swimming)
Princeton University (Swimming)
Stanford University
Tufts University (Swimming)
UCLA (Swimming)
Duke University (Swimming)
Boston College (Swimming)
University of Arizona (Swimming)

Class of 2003:
Katie Arnold
Tanner Burke
Tim Cherry
Zach Disbrow*
Mark Dorshkind
Ian Fraser
Sydney Hodgkinson
Jessica Ivry
Eva Johnson
Ashley Knapp
Daniel Mahoney

UCLA (Swimming)
University of Pennsylvania (Swimming)
UCLA (Water Polo)
US Military Academy at West Point (Swimming)
University of Washington
University of Miami, Ohio (Swimming)
University of San Diego (Swimming)
Emory University (Swimming)
Tufts University (Swimming)
University of Miami (Swimming)
George Washington University (Swimming)

Becca Reingold*
Caitlin Scott
Emily Sharp
Mike Theisen
Amy Thurman
Kevin Wecht

Middlebury College (Swimming)

Mount Holyoke College (Swimming)
Pepperdine University (Swimming)
University of Michigan
UCLA (Swimming)
Harvard University

Class of 2002:
Nicolas Beck
Holly Farlin
Megan Kelly
Alli Lathrope
Sophie Levy
Lindsay Nordin
Lizzie Straw
Kim Vandenberg
Peter Varellas*

US Military Academy at West Point (Swimming)

University of California, Berkeley (Water Polo)
Pepperdine University (Swimming)
Claremont McKenna College (Swimming)
University of California at San Diego (Swimming)
San Diego State University (Swimming)
University of Denver (Swimming)
UCLA (Swimming)
Stanford University (Water Polo)

Class of 2001:
Justin Chiles*
Taylor Dahl
Quinn Fitzgerald
Kristen Lewis*
Scott Metcalf
Katie Miller
Allison Shasky
Daisuke Watanabe

Princeton University (Swimming)

University of California, Los Angeles (Swimming)
Yale University (Swimming)
University of California, Los Angeles (Swimming)
Harvard University (Swimming)
University of California, San Diego (Swimming)
University of the Pacific (Swimming)
UC Santa Cruz (swimming)

Myths of Year-Round Swimming

You have to be fast
Over one third of OA swimmers are at the novice to intermediate level
It is too hard
Our program is based on technique and efficient training for the long term, and not
yardage. Our objective is to develop swimmers in a positive environment and not burn
them out.
It is too serious/It is not fun
We want this to be a positive life experience. We try to position every aspect of the
program with that in mind. However, discipline does breed very positive byproducts and
life skills. Most of our swimmers view their teammates as family, and value being a part of
a positive, high-character, athletic group.
The coaches only care about the fast swimmers
The coaches care about everyone that is sincere and cares about the team and the
integrity of the program. Times have nothing to do with it.
I am a water polo player
Many OA swimmers have played water polo. Elite athletes like Peter Varellas (MTSC,
Campo, Stanford, Olympic Team) and Michael Sharf (OPP, Miramonte, CAL, US National
Team), and most recently Max Parrague (SH, MHS, UC Irvine) found year-round swimming
and OA a positive and constructive addition to their training. We encourage water polo
players to consider themselves as aquatic athletes.
I am not fast enough to swim in college
There is a college team for virtually every swimmer. From Division I to Division III, we
have helped 90% of our graduating swimmers find great academic and swimming fits.
Please see the College tab on the website for a listed of school/teams that OA swimmers
have been a part of.
If youre not a successful rec swimmer, you cannot have a successful swimming
career (speed vs. endurance, talent vs. training)
We have had many mid-level rec swimmers develop into very competitive high school
and college swimmers. Some could not adapt to the speed orientation of rec. swimming
but adapted well to mid-distance races.
Year-round swimming is too time consuming/takes time away from academics
To the contrary, year-round swimming has proven to enhance academic performance
through the self-discipline, time management, and collegiate focus that swimmers
develop.

Transitioning to Orinda Aquatics

(thoughts from Parents and Swimmers who have made the switch)
Recreational Swimming in our local swimming community is, for the sake of any other word, huge. For many
families, it is what they "do" in the summer and may even be part of their identity. We recognize that for many,
leaving their local swim club is a very difficult decision as it might seem as though it is almost a life style change.
Perhaps that is why the expression is that a swimmer has "gone year round"? However, if a swimmer likes to
swim, it can be a life changing and life enhancing experience to continue in a sport that they love.
The following are excerpts from several parent/parent or adult/swimmer conversations with OA families where they
were asked about their own transition experience to Orinda Aquatics, what their initial reservations (if any) might
have been, and what they have observed now that they have gone through the process. We hope that this
information from others who have "been there" is helpful. As always, if any prospective family would like to talk to
or ask questions of existing OA families, we are happy to arrange that.
One Parent Comment re: Transitioning from Rec Swimming
"Recreational Swimming is a great place to start to get a taste of the sport, and the social aspect cant be beat. However, as time goes
on, if your child seems to really like swimming (whether or not they are superstars), you should give them an opportunity to swim at a
different level and try OA. I truly believe that the most important part about joining a year-round program is the love of the sport.
Early success or failure at the rec level is not much indication of how they will do at the USA level, but if they truly love the sport they
will be happy and successful no matter what their level of swimming.
The transition from rec to year-round is actually much easier than people think. The beauty of it is that the meets and parent
responsibilities are spread out over a 12 month period. There are plenty of times for family vacations during the year and it is so nice to
have flexibility in a schedule. When you begin with the junior program, you do not have to come to practice every day so the time
constraints are not too rigorous. Another benefit of year-round vs. rec is that all your eggs are not in one basket, i.e. the OMPA
Championship meet. We have all seen children in tears because they goofed up their one race at that very stressful meet. They have
practiced for 2 months all to swim one or two races and if they are less than successful, they do not have an opportunity to make good
for another whole year. The pressures in this community only make it worse for those kids who are up on the blocks in front of a
thousand or more of their friends and neighbors. If they have a good race, fine, but if they dont it is pretty horrifying. It truly is the
big fish in a little pond syndrome. Once you go to USA Swimming, all of a sudden you are in an ocean of swimmers and you can be
yourself, work hard, and always know there will be another meet just around the corner for you to try again.
The friendships that the team develops are some of the strongest your child will have. As they mature in the program, they all share a
common bond of working hard, putting in long hours, and supporting each other. Only other swimmers understand not to call after nine
in the evening, (as they are all in bed). It takes a certain type of teenager to have the discipline of rising pre-dawn to swim, and they
form a very tight bond with each other. It also provides a support network for much more than swimming. Being a teenager is tough
these days, and they really rely on each other to help them get through the good times and bad.
It seems as if the swimmers who join the program at the Junior Group level are much better prepared for the transition to the Senior
Group. The Senior Group is a much more rigorous workout and if you are joining as a new freshman and also trying to adjust to the
demands of High School, the transition can be bumpy. Again, I have observed that the group who rose up together from the Junior
Group to the Senior Group are a very tight group of supportive friends, whether girls or boys.
Finally, I think that USA Swimming provides an opportunity for all levels of swimmers. In particular, OA provides an environment of
support, respect, and encouragement. The coaching staff is not only incredibly gifted and talented, but more importantly is genuinely
concerned with guiding the swimmers to be strong high-character student-athletes.
Purely from a parent side, I can honestly say that I have made many good friends with other year-round parents. We choose to have our
social fun other places than a Wednesday night meet, and I have also made friends with parents form several other teams.
The most difficult part of year-round swimming is taking that dive from the edge of rec swimming. "

Parent of New Junior Group Swimmer (parent was a competitive high school athlete):

"In talking to my child during 6th grade as to what she might want to do with her swimming (she isnt a standout swimmer but loves to
train), she said that she wanted to swim in high school and if possible, college. So, in backing up the train, we thought that joining OA
would help her achieve her goals. We conferred with our rec club coach who said she was definitely ready but wanted to make sure our
daughter understood that the benefits wouldnt be reaped for probably 2 years. It is different from rec in that regard. In rec, many
parents and swimmers expect to be getting best times at every dual meet. But, in year round, it is a different. The swimmers are
competing tired and it may take a long time for a swimmer to begin to realize the effects of the training. A friend of ours also shared
that she thought it better to transition to year round during the middle school years (the friends oldest had joined OA as a freshman).
Freshman year in HS is hard enough (transitioning socially and academically) without the transition to year round training/workouts
layered on top.
As a competitive non-aquatic high school athlete myself, I was looking for something particular in both a team and coaches as this was
something that was missing in my own athletic experiences. We love the philosophy of OA which is a program centered around the kid: it
is kid driven and kid motivated. I am driving my child to practice because she wants to be there and not because I want her to be or
because she has to be there. The coaches are totally supportive of our daughter and nurturing too. One thing we really really appreciate

is that OA is process oriented as opposed to product oriented. The coaches genuinely want the kids to continue to love the sport and to
not burn out. They want the kids to have something left after high school and to be able to enthusiastically swim in college if they want
to and to continue to improve. They are more concerned about the kid as a whole person than their times in the pool. They are more
reflective and take the time and energy to help develop the whole child. Because of this, they coach in an authentic and very real way.
They build a safe place for these kids, offer themselves as mentors in these kids lives and are accessible to their swimmers. They
celebrate each swimmer as an individual and do not allow space for prima donnas. If a family is looking for their child to peak in high
school and to train as hard as possible, then there are definitely programs out there that they can find. But, as a family, this isnt what
we were looking for and we believe that OA is a great fit. The coaches understand that it isnt good for an athletes identity to be totally
wrapped up in who they are as a swimmer and that it is more important to strive to be a good person, to do well academically, to
respect others and to learn to make good decisions. The kids at OA are not only FAST but they are extremely mature, good and well
rounded people. This is a way different experience than I had as a student athlete as my name was synonomous with my sport. It was my
identity. We think it is far better to be not only athlete but a complete and balanced person.
Overall, year round swimming at OA is a very different beast than rec swimming. This does require a learning curve for the parents as
well as meets are different and your child is the one that has the relationship with their coach. No longer are best times expected at
every meet, no longer is there one big meet at the end of the season, no longer are you memorizing times and standards. In our opinion,
OA has the right mojo! I feel like if more people in our community really understood what an experience OA was offering to the local
swimming community, the flood gates would open."

Comments from a current high school freshman boy re: transitioning to Year-Round:

"Every year since I was 6 I did OA Polar Bears; tried USS Fall Meets when I was about 8 or 9 and really liked them. Took OMPA exemption
when I was 11 (6th Grade). After Far Westerns, I really wanted to stay but Coach Matt and my Mom made me go back to Sleepy Hollow
(rec swimming) for one more year since she was the president of the swim club. I rejoined in September of seventh grade when I was 12
and have never regretted it since. The junior group is a really good place to start and prepares you well for Senior swimming, plus it is
fun.
The only reason my transition was a little bit difficult was because I was still doing other sports. I was not used to swimming as much as
we were. I kept doing other sports until the end of 7th grade, when I really focused in on swimming. It was never difficult to come
though and people in the junior group made me feel really welcome even though initially I was not as committed as others. In fact, what
surprised me the most was how receptive the Junior Group swimmers were to me when I first joined. It is very inclusive.
I like everything about year round swimming vs rec swimming. I enjoy longer distances as opposed to 50 yard sprints. Plus there is always
another time standard to work towards and always another meet to look forward to. My closest friends are my OA teammates.
I was asked: If you were recruiting someone, what would you tell them?
If you really like to swim, there is a lot more out there, both in friendships and
swimming opportunity, than three months of stressful
Rec sprinting. The kids are really nice, the coaches are excellent, and swimming improvement is a given. There is nothing to lose if you
just try it out."

Comments from a swimmer who joined OA in 7th grade:

"The hardest part of the transition was actually making the decision and telling my friends that I was going to try year round. I had done
Polar Bears/Fall Meets since I was six but I really didnt like that freezing cold December meet. I loved my rec team. It was a blast. In
fact, I loved it so much that while I originally wanted to join OA for my 11th year, at the very last minute I decided to stay one more year
swimming rec. This actually worked out really well. I joined OA when I was 12 (7th grade) and because I was at the top of the age group, I
was able to qualify for some of the travel meets with the team. This was really really fun and I loved spending 5 days with my teammates
swimming and going shopping at the Dollar Store and to lunches and dinners together. And then, when summer rolled around, my sister
was still swimming rec so I went to every single one of her meets. I also went from OA workouts directly to my rec pool and played tennis
and hung with my friends every day. The only difference was that we werent doing swim workouts together! I spent the entire weekend
at the OMPA too! I really had the best of both worlds.
When I joined in 7th grade, so did many other kids my age and we became best friends. We all support each other both in and out of the
pool and it is great to have friends from so many different schools. I continued to play volleyball at school and ski on weekends and lots
of the kids continued with other sports too. You get out of swimming what you put into it. You arent benched or not entered in meets
because you didnt go to workouts. But, after a year, I realized just how much I loved OA and I dropped my other sports. I really love
that there are so many different events to try and I really enjoy the longer ones. I also really like long course season. My best friends are
my OA friends and my coaches are the best! My parents always told me that I could always go back to rec swimming, but I cant imagine
why I would ever want to. There is so much less pressure in year round. I felt like I was in a fish bowl in rec and that there was so much
pressure and so many comparisons. It is just a different mentality in year round. People arent screaming and yelling on the sidelines,
parents arent coaching their kids, nobody is expecting best times at our meets (the guys keep getting bigger so they often do get best
times but not the girls as they get older) unless they are shaved and tapered but we get to do that 3-4 times per year so there is always
another chance. Plus, my teammates cheer for me and I love cheering for them. Our meets are a blast as we get to hang with each for
the entire time. OA is FUN!
Oh, and the big summer meets are over at the end of July, so we get the whole month of August to go on vacation!"

Junior Group Swimmer now in Senior Group:

"I have to say that I was apprehensive about leaving my rec team (OCC) as it had been such a positive experience. I was really worried
that workouts would be harder and I was really really concerned about making new friends. I also wondered if swimming year round
would get old and I was concerned about morning practices. I should never have been worried. The transition was GREAT! There were
lots of other new kids when I joined in September (we had a big carpool going from Orinda) and Im really glad that I tried Year Round as
opposed to Polar Bears because I really got to try out the team that I was thinking of joining. The Polar Bear swimmers have different
workouts. Anyway, the Junior Group really doesnt have morning practices and when you are in the Senior Group, it is just a couple of
mornings a week and there are many weeks where there arent any. I was worried that my high school life would be day after day of
morning practices and afternoon practices and that it would get to be too grueling. It isnt like that and you transition it slowly anyway.

One of the reasons I love year round swimming is that there are so many different events and so many different opportunities. It really
doesnt get old as there is Fall swimming, high school swimming (in the Senior Group), long course, different length events and the travel
meets are great. I also really love having friends from different schools.
Thinking about what I have learned: perserverance and dedication. I have learned that year round swimming is a different mentality. At
rec, the focus always seemed to be on best times. At OA, we will go to meets and swim really really tired and just work on turns or
number of strokes per lap and the times may not really be all that important. Some kids swim great at midseason meets but others dont
swim well tired and wait until they are shaved and tapered and then it is so exciting! The pool deck is a totally different vibe than in rec
swimming. The meets, even the big championship meets, are so much lower key. In the big picture, there is always another meet.
I have also learned that at least on OA, there is no intrateam competition. There are so many different events and all my teammates are
really encouraging. No one stands out as a superstar and the entire team is supportive of everyone else. We all get along. "

Good vs. Great

The great ones choose discipline over pleasure.
The great ones dont give back. They just give.
The middle class competes. The world class creates.
The middle class loves comfort. The world class is
comfortable being uncomfortable.
The middle class cares about themselves. The world
class cares.
The middle class lives in delusion. The world class
lives in reality.
The middle class is frustrated. The world class is
grateful.
The middle class wants. The world class sacrifices.
The middle class has dreams. The world class has
vision.

USA Swimming On-line Clinic

OA Coaches Present OnLine Clinic on character

in young athletes

OA hosts first

CHARACTER CAMP
for young swimmers
During June 2011, Orinda Aquatics offered its first "Character Camp" open for swimmers
aged 10 and over. It was run by Ron and Don Heidary, Head Coaches and Founders of
Orinda Aquatics and Head Coaches of Campolindo and Miramonte High Schools. The Camp
was organized to cover two tracts: one wet and one dry - a blend of classroom leadership
discussion, as well as pool sessions which integrated technique and strategy with highcharacter training. Held at the Soda Center in Moraga, the camp ran during the afternoons
of the week of June 20th. In addition to their in-water clinics, there was also classroom time
where each participant received motivational materials in addition to a cap and t-shirt.
The wet or aquatic track - covered areas critical to swimming development:

High-Character Training Understanding and discipline

Technical Fundamentals Short axis and long axis balance and progressions
Training/Racing Around the Walls Starts, Turns, Finishes, Streamlining
Race Strategy Pace, Breathing

The dry or personal side - covered non-swimming areas critical to swimming,

athletics, and personal growth:

Putting Character First in Swimming and in Life (Attitude and Effort)

Goal setting and the Big Picture (plus swimming and water balance)
Support Networks Relationships with Parents, Coaches, and Teammates
The Swimming World and its Role in Your Life: High School, USS, Collegiate Swimming

All net proceeds were donated to support Orinda Aquatics Charitable Swaziland,
Africa Swimming Program.

Virtual Club Championships

Purpose: Recognize and highlight clubs that are developing athletes and achieving
success at multiple levels in the club swimming continuum emphasizing the team
element in club swimming. This program serves as a key part of the Athlete
Development & Performance component of the Club Recognition Program.

Orinda Aquatics Ranked

#1 in the US for teams
under 150 members in
2009!

Orinda Aquatics
Silver Medal Recognition
USA Swimming Club Excellence

WHICH ARE THE BEST CLUBS IN USA SWIMMING?

The Club Excellence Program is a voluntary program that identifies and recognizes USA Swimming
clubs for their commitment to performance excellence. This program strives to meet the following
objectives:

Promote the development of strong, well-rounded age group and senior swimming
programs that produce elite 18 & under athletes;
Provide recognition and resources to motivate and assist member clubs to strive for the
highest ideals of athlete performance.

This programs goal is to embrace leadership and excellence in up to 200 of USA Swimmings top
member clubs. The program provides grant funding and recognizes the club development system
as integral to achieving excellence.

Orinda Aquatics Achieves USA

Swimming Club Recognition Level 4
(highest level) only the 10th team
in the Western United States.
The Club Recognition Program offers our club members a
working blueprint for developing strong, stable, financially
sound and athletically productive organizations. Designed
over a two year period by USA Swimming's Club Development
Committee, this voluntary program presents four levels of
achievement across four component areas deemed critical to
long-term club success.
1. Business & Organizational Success
2. Parent & Volunteer Development
3. Coach Development & Education
4. Athlete Development & Performance

The American Swimming

Coaches Association

OA Coaches Speak at ASCA World

Clinic on Team Building and
putting Character First

OA in national
swimming publications

Testimonials
I just wanted to tell you how fantastic of a program OA is. I came to this team from an environment that could
not have been more different, and before I made the switch I was thinking about giving up on swimming
entirely. Your coaching, and the amazing fellow swimmers I met, helped to remind me why I fell in love with
the sport in the first place. I just wanted to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to enjoy swimming
again. I am so glad that I came to OA. The program you have is truly incredible, and I'm grateful for having
been a part of it.
OA Graduate
I wanted to once again say how much we appreciate your coaching and leadership. I've shared similar
thoughts with you before, but feel that expressions of affirmation and gratitude are always worth repeating.
Our child absolutely LOVES swimming...and we can thank you and your program for that! We continue to see
confidence grow and the development of strength and skill in the water, as well as the deepening of
friendships with her teammates. The team became is a safe haven and that is a tribute to your commitment to
truly putting character first. Thank you for making our job as parents so easy in what could otherwise be a
turbulent and difficult time - we continue to marvel at the competent and joyful young adult our child has
become - THANK YOU!
OA Parent
"Knowing that my son has such a team of caring, professional, and motivating coaches in his life brings me a
sense of comfort. It is an honor to be a part of OA, and I believe that I will never find another organization that
will have such a positive influence on our family."
OA Parent
Coach Don and Ron (and all OA coaches and swimmers),
I have yet to visit an OA practice but I could envision and appreciate the focus, pride, and strength of character
of the OA swimmers in the moment displayed on the magazine cover. I know OA swimmers set a wonderful
standard managing, embracing, and ultimately mastering the challenges, expectations and opportunities of
being leaders, teammates, and athletes on one of the coolest, character driven and successful swim teams in
the United States of America.
USA Swimming Coach
This community knows that in you, we have a treasure. Thank you for your interest, your ethics, and your
commitment to the character of our children. Thank you for being an anchor when kids are adrift. Thank you
for your kindness and compassion towards my child and the team, whatever community or school they belong
too.
Thank you very much. What you do for our kids in terms of helping them develop their sense of character
while building their esteem and friendships is remarkable. I believe it is a chapter of their upbringing that our
kids truly cherish on their way to becoming young adults, and I know they will take it with them and it will
influence them in positive ways their entire life.

Parent (of graduate)

First, I want to thank you for Orinda Aquatics. I love your team philosophy of Character First. I have read the
quotes in picture case outside the women's locker room at Soda Center. They inspire me as an adult to be an
even better person. I also love the way all of your coaches have coached my daughter for the last five fall
seasons. Your fall program is awesome.
Parent
Ronnie and Donnie,
I couldn't help but noticing in the news a story about a mass cheating attempt on a college campus. The
reason I'm bringing this to your attention is because I wanted to thank you for everything you have taught me.
I specifically remember having a team meeting about cheating in life and in the classroom and how to protect
your personal integrity. I would like to think that I would not have done something this, but it would be naive
to think that your confidence, pride, and love the both of you have for your swimmers did not have a direct
influence on my development as a student-athlete and as a person, and my ability to avoid this type of thing.
A former OA swimmer
A heartfelt Thank You to you and your wonderful OA program for aiding in the development of the heart,
body and minds of our kids!
Parent
"Knowing that my child has such a team of caring, professional, and motivational coaches in his life brings me a
sense of comfort. It is an honor to be part of Orinda Aquatics, and I believe that we will never find another
organization in our lives that will have such a positive influence on our family."
Parent

"I could have only dreamed to have been part of a program like this in high school. This is a special team and I
wish you much continued success shaping our wonderful kids."
Parent
Hi coaches,
I hope this e-mail finds you doing well. I can't even believe it, but I am actually en route to college as I write. I
just wanted to take the time to thank you for all that you did for me. I was amazed and relieved to find a swim
program that fit perfectly for me not only as a swimmer, but as a person. I cannot express to you how grateful I
am to you for giving me the opportunity to be on this remarkable team. Not only did I improve as a swimmer,
but I learned a lot about balance, and how to look at the "bigger picture." I am so thankful for you and that I
could enjoy swimming again, just as I began to lose sight of my passion and love for it. Thanks to you, I am
going into college with a wholesome, balanced perspective on the sport, and most importantly I'm genuinely
excited to swim. The memories that I am taking with me from swimming on OA this summer will always be
with me, because everyone has been so remarkably warm and welcoming, which is a reflection on the staff
and what you stand for. I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me.
Best regards

I know that you are men who live their beliefs and take action to make things happen. I came to recognize that
over the few years my son swam for you two. The article reminded me of this and also how grateful I am that
he found his way to Orinda Aquatics. You and Ronnie were, and continue to be, mentors and true friends for
my son and I thank you for that.
An OA parent
From an OA swimmer (recently graduated college)
You have had such a profound impact on me and have really contributed to my growth as an athlete and more.
I get a little teary when I think about how my swimming career is over, but I have achieved so much and have
competed at a level I never thought I would. Thank you for everything!
Coach Don,
I am truly impressed with the clarity of standards you and Ron set for your program. It appears the kids
understand and value the traits and standards you expect from them. In life, perhaps when things are the
toughest, they will draw upon the grit, faith and practices learned and rehearsed consistently as athletes,
teammates and contributors to OA.
OA clearly is a great program - a highly successful swim team and a great place for friendships and acquiring
invaluable life lessons. Awesome!
Respectfully, Allan
Thank you for sharing the positive side of youth sports and swimming especially. Your vision of what is good
about people and to promote them is unparalleled. The youth of our communities and the sport of swimming
are so lucky to have you!!!!!
A School Administrator
"No matter how I travel and coach, I have to say that what you guys built at OA is one of a kind."
From Kevin Lai, former coach (in Hong Kong)
Hi Don & Ron
I wanted to drop you a quick note of thanks for allowing us some insight to the creativity you instill in your
program to keep it fresh and fun. I came across your Graduation workout in Bob Steeles Games, Gimmicks,
Challenges book and loved the idea of it. When we had finished, they all threw their caps into the air and
were telling me it was a very fun practice. They were all running over to their parents to tell them that they
had just graduated. Dan
"Hi coaches,
First, I want to thank you for all you do for the swimmers of our community - we have been so impressed with
the OA program thus far!!! After hearing so much about high moral standards and emphasis on character, it is
a real privilege to finally be part of a program that truly lives out their ideals. We have seen our child grow
significantly in terms of focus, personal discipline, leadership, academic performance, etc. THANK YOU!!!!"

An OA parent
Thank you so much for all Orinda Aquatics does, I am so
impressed and always grateful.
An OA parent
I love your team! Everything was great! I am looking forward to our long-term relationship. All CD's will be
mailed to you later today or tomorrow. Thank you for your help!
Dr. G (Genadijus Sokolovas)
Regarding the "Letter to the Team"
"As a final note, I wanted to send along three comments from our division staff on your end of year recap (and
this does not include those who verbally said something to me)":
From Randy Julian (Randy is the Central Zone Sport Development Consultant): Just looked at this. This is really
really big time great! It reads like a good book and has POWERFUL lessons all through it. How would parents
NOT want their children to swim for Orinda?
From Kim OShea:Wow..good stuff!
From Dave Thomas (Dave is the Southern Zone Sport Development Consultant): Outstanding. Thanks for
sharing. If I am ever in that neck of the woods I would like to check the program out.
From USA Swimming Club Development Staff
Thanks you for being a fantastic example of leadership, goodwill and great swimming.
A.C. in Vermont
I wanted to let you know how impressed I am with OA! What great kids you have swimming for OA. We have
been through many teams whether it be traveling basketball, or soccer, dance and summer swimming. Many
of the teams focus on the here and now, and winning. OA feels very different. I know it can take many years
of hard work to reach your goals, and I feel very fortunate that our child is swimming with such a positive
team. Too bad OA wasn't around when I was swimming! A New OA Parent
I am proud to be associated with you...you have done so much for the Lamorinda community generally and the
swimming community specifically. Well done and keep up the good work!
Rick Vandenberg
"It is said that in everyones life there is a transition that occurs in the latter years. This is where the
focus changes from personal success to significance. Fortunately for us, you and Ron have spent your
careers and lives empowering children to see their potential, as well as how to achieve it. In doing this,
you have transcended coaching and been a positive influence in a lot of lives. And what could be more
significant
than that."
A Fall Swimming Parent

Dear Ronnie and Donnie,

You and your entire staff of coaches have always been a huge part of my daughters life. You have taught her
many life lessons, in and out of the pool. I believe that she is the incredible swimmer, student, and more
importantly, young women that she is today because of your influence in her life as she was growing up. They
say "it takes a village". Well Orinda Aquatics was definitely a huge part of "our village". You made my job as a
parent so much easier. Its hard now a days to find people that share your same values and ethics. I always felt
that with you had her (and our) best interests at heart and I appreciate your support. You will always be a big
part of the our life story.
XO (A former OA parent after college graduation)
Ronnie, Donnie, Matt, Marc, Kevin, and Dave
For several years....usually after the high school swim season ends or after I have read something about Orinda
Aquatics or after I see an Orinda Aquatics swim practice......Ive wanted to tell you how over-whelmed I am at
what you have done for the Lamorinda Community in Aquatics.
I planned on writing this letter several times in the last 3-4 years whenever I would look through the results of
NCS swimming....But I would put it off...and then thought it was a little corny to say anything...once it was 1
or 2 months after the Championship meet.
But today...when I had the opportunity to attend the 50th anniversary OMPA (ALL-ORINDA)....and then went
over to the Orinda Aquatics booth and reviewed Orinda Aquatics many accomplishment....I decided corny or
not I was going to tell you what I should have told you years ago.....
I am not aware of everything Donnie and Ronnie did throughout the many years they have been coaching...but
I do know they had a vision of establishing a 1st Class aquatics program in the area and to accomplish their
vision they brought together a group of dedicated/knowledgeable coaches.
The quality (depth) of various high school swimmers (at the local high schools) speaks volumes for what all of
you have done. In addition, you have provided a number of local athletes the opportunity to pursue their
passion for swimming.....whether they want to become a nationally ranked swimmer or just to be part of a
team. You have established both.
To build a swim program from its beginning has to be a very rewarding experience. I hope all of you have the
opportunity to step back and realize how significant your contributions have been......you have had a
tremendous impact on so many lives (young and old).
I for one....applaud your dedication and expertise......
Bill Brown