Orinda AquaticsOrinda AquaticsOrinda AquaticsOrinda Aquatics
2020 Awards BanquetJuly 26,2020July 26,2020July 26,2020July 26,2020
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE
WELCOME TO ALL NEW SWIMMERS
AGENDA
• Overview (D&R)
• Team Captains (Ronnie)
• Swimmers-of-the-Year (Ronnie)
• 2020 Graduates (Donnie)
• Junior Group (Matt, Donnie)
• Senior Group (Dom, Marc, Ronnie)
• Special Awards (Donnie)
• Kati Video (teaser)
PRESENTATIONS• Introductory letter – a recap of our history
• Memory Book (Catja McDonald) - emailed link
• Banquet PowerPoint
• Slide Show (Tay Thomas with photos from Fred Stambaugh and all
photographers) - emailed link
• Alumni video – reflections from beyond Orinda Aquatics
• Senior Gift - delivered
PREFACE• Zoom Meeting – should not take away anything from the
accomplishments of the team, the 2020 graduates, and our history
• Please be attentive through the presentation (be a good teammate)
• This is the only time that we meet (parents and swimmers) over
an entire year
• Kids commit up to 40 hours a week for 11 months, which must be
summarized into 15 seconds
• Please embrace all swimmers (your/our team)
• Appreciate the impact and values of the team
So rather than a long So rather than a long So rather than a long So rather than a long
“meeting”, consider this “meeting”, consider this “meeting”, consider this “meeting”, consider this
a a a a briefbriefbriefbrief introduction and introduction and introduction and introduction and
overview of overview of overview of overview of YOUR teamYOUR teamYOUR teamYOUR team....
THANK YOU (PLEASE SEE MEMORY BOOK)
• Our Board of Directors – Vince, Jean, Trent, Jane, Pete,
Jennifer, Cristina, Marc
• Our Partners – USA Swimming, Pacific Swimming, Speedo,
ASCA, Soda Center
• Our Coaches – Matt, Marc, Kati, Dom; Fall Swimming – John
Studebaker, Tony Ravnik, Murray Hannan
• Parent support in critical positions: Host Meet, Social,
Officials, Outreach, See’s, etc.
• Parent support throughout the year – social and host-meet
• Our athletes
• Our alumni (swimmers and parents)
ALUMNI
• The “bridge-builders” of:
• Culture
• Leadership
• National performance
• Academic focus
• Collegiate success
MORE THANKS
• Dr. Lisa Blackwell – For her extraordinary work
in supporting the opening of pools, and for the
safety of our athletes
• Maddie Blackwell - Petition
• Athlete Reps – Lily Struempf, Tay Thomas, Elsa
Hartley
• Tony Ravnik – for helping with current Camps
• Wendy Smith – for her generous support of this
event and our graduates
• George Flanders – data support
• Sophie Kessler – for her kind support of our
senior class
A BRIEF HISTORY
• Polar Bears – 1985 (the “PB” in OAPB)
• Program grew from 25 Meadow
swimmers to 400+ County wide
• Orinda Aquatics – 1995
• 20 rec swimmers
• Sleepy Hollow
• The Soda Center – 2000
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS ++
VISION
• To be the best small club in USA Swimming
• To create the best culture in youth sports
• To create a travel model based in integrity
To “change the dialogue” in youth sports
PROCESS
• Build a foundational base of technique
• Controlled/efficient training
• Plan development for long-term success and
passion
• Create a leadership pursuit from a young age
(and a perpetual leadership model)
• Have every aspect of program driven by
character, integrity, humility, respect
• Develop powerful coach-swimmer
relationships (and partnership) – based on
trust and mutual respect
UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS (TEAM OF 125 – AVERAGE AGE OF ENTRY IS 13)
• 27 Olympic Trial qualifiers
• 200 + National-Level swimmers with another 100+ All Americans
• Won Junior Nationals (within five years), Far Westerns, Sectionals, WZ Senior Championships
• One of the top scoring teams in the nation (USA Swimming VCC) under 200 swimmers (over
2,500)
• Annually develop
• ~ 8-12 national level swimmers
• ~ 40 Sectional qualifiers/50-60 Far Western Qualifiers
• Campolindo - #1 Public High School in the nation (OA centered)
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
• Senior GPA near 4.0 (75 swimmers)
• One of the highest percent of swimmers
competing in college (among the very best
academic institutions in the country) – all want to
• Average 40+ annually
• 46 collegiate team captains
See OA College History on the website
CULTURE
• Recognized by USA Swimming, NISCA (high school), The
Positive Coaching Alliance, The American Swimming
Coaches Association, and college coaches nationally
• “Wrote the book” on character and culture in swimming
• Speak nationally and internationally on culture and age-
group development
• Travel model for youth sports (ASCA presentation) – not
based on rules or a “trip” but developed every day through
integrity and relationships
OR…
“Integrity has no
need of rules.”Albert Camus
Integrity – the key to moral courage
CULTURE OBJECTIVE
• To have integrity drive not only an athletic career but a
young life
• To support kids to choose role mode over social mode,
compassion over ego, service or selfish, and on and on – to
literally change motivation in the world of youth sports,
including coach-athlete dynamics, and even the lens
through which parents observe, support and influence their
children/athletes
• To view their athletic career and their life as a script
written or a self-portrait painted with a sense of creating a
powerful and positive masterpiece. It is possible – for all.
WHY CAN’T KIDS DREAM…WHY CAN’T KIDS DREAM…WHY CAN’T KIDS DREAM…WHY CAN’T KIDS DREAM…
• Of being a leader
and role model,
• As well as an
Olympian
THE CORONAVIRUS
• Critical athlete’s response
• Resilience – the baseline for any
serious athlete
• Team – the life concept of “greater
good” and personal sacrifice, for family,
community, and beyond
THIS EVENING
• Swimmer introduction by group from group coach
• Swimmers-of-the-year, Graduating Seniors, Junior 1-2, Junior 3, Senior 2, Senior 3,
Senior 4, Special Awards
• Swimmers receive:
• A team towel (given at pool)
• A certificate of achievement (given at pool)
• Graduating Senior gift (delivered)
• Memory Book
• Slide Show
RONNIE
TEAM & THE BIG PICTURE• Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you –––– parents, swimmers, coachesparents, swimmers, coachesparents, swimmers, coachesparents, swimmers, coaches
• Senior GroupSenior GroupSenior GroupSenior Group
• We are so proud of your swimming and, more importantly, your character
• Summarize important qualities of the senior group:
• Integrity … in our current relationships and for the rest of your life – example
• Maturity … which includes character, communication, unselfishness
• Responsibility … for your training, your life, your success – example
• coach question … “I get anxious because there are so many things that are out of my control.”
• Junior GroupJunior GroupJunior GroupJunior Group
• Key to OA’s success … Not leaders in the making, leaders.
• How important is it … a conversation with coach looking for guidance
• Big PictureBig PictureBig PictureBig Picture (it goes by different names: 20 years from now ..., the forest/trees (aka the OA forest)
1. Be clear on the objective - always consider “To What End”
2. How do we get there … on a daily basis.
• live by the Slippery Slope philosophy (example: if your technique is bad you could end up in jail), article Don’t Widen The Plate
• question all actions by remembering the simple quote “do the right thing”.
• What this program stands for is described in the Swimming World article …
SWIMMING WORLD ARTICLESWIMMING WORLD ARTICLESWIMMING WORLD ARTICLESWIMMING WORLD ARTICLE share excerpts
• “What the coaches are most proud of is what happens when the kids leave Orinda.”
• “The team seeks to instill in their young swimmers not only good stroke technique, but also the skills
that will help them make the right choices in life.
• “Ron & Don are intense about swimming, but they’re more concerned about building character.”
• coach Don, says “If you focus on developing the best person, as a by-product you’ll get the best
athlete. ”
• from a team captain, “They’re about teaching us good values and focusing on the Big Picture.”
• from a senior, “The coaches helped me grow emotionally.”
• from a team captain, “Orinda Aquatics is a true family. The friendships I have developed will last a
lifetime. ”
Swimming World Article Swimming World Article Swimming World Article Swimming World Article
fromfromfromfrom 2001200120012001
<- Hint – the coaches on the
ends are Ronnie & Donnie
TEAM CAPTAINS
• 9 captains – 4 women/5 men -probably 40 were qualified
• best group of captains and best
leadership in OA history
• Qualities of character, humility,
discipline, caring and being
great teammates
• daily responsibility in the locker
room, in the pool and at dryland
• balance - respected vs being
liked/loved
• perfect of example of
student/athlete/leader
Captains’ Zoom Calls were outstanding…
• Maggie BuckleyMaggie BuckleyMaggie BuckleyMaggie Buckley – will do a talk in August • Tay ThomasTay ThomasTay ThomasTay Thomas – unselfish leadership and service to the team• Margaux McDonaldMargaux McDonaldMargaux McDonaldMargaux McDonald – self discipline, time management, training• Maddie SmithMaddie SmithMaddie SmithMaddie Smith – training post warm up sets & off strokes • Isaac KimIsaac KimIsaac KimIsaac Kim – focusing on technique and distance per stroke• Vincent CastilloVincent CastilloVincent CastilloVincent Castillo – leadership all the time, everywhere• Zach LeZach LeZach LeZach Le----NguyenNguyenNguyenNguyen – meet prep, race prep underwater development• Ryan Ryan Ryan Ryan LenahanLenahanLenahanLenahan – focusing on technique and embracing the “big picture” • Aidan Aidan Aidan Aidan VollmarVollmarVollmarVollmar – being a late bloomer & dealing with injury positively
Shared talks with other coaches, even a college coach.
ORINDA AQUATICS
SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
Maggie Buckley
• First Jr Nat cut - 200 mtr Back at Western Zones 2:19.6 – won event from
lane 8 - swim of the year
• Pleasanton Sr Circuit – 200 Back 1:59.6 to win the event
• Jr Nationals Dec 2019 - 400 IM made B Final 4:19.9
• impressive SCY swims: 200 IM 2:04.1, 800 Free Relay split 1:53.0
• impressive LCM swims: 200 IM 2:24.4 , 400 IM 5:04.0
SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
Channing Hanley
• Jr National LC qualifier 100 Breast
• Pleasanton Sr Circuit - 200 Breast 2:16.6, 100 Breast 1:02. 8
• Jr Nationals Dec 2019 – swam Breast on both top Medley Relays - 200
split 28.6 & 400 split 1:02.7
• impressive SCY swims: 200 IM 2:05.2, 200 Fly 2:08
SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
Margaux McDonald
• Jr National LC cut 100 mtr Back at Western Zones 1:03.9
• Jr Nationals Dec 2019 – swam Back on both top 8 200 & 400 Medley Relays
• impressive SCY swims: 200 Back 1:59.9, 200 Fly 2:02.9, 200 IM 2:02.2, 400 IM 4:22.4
• impressive LCM swims: 200 mtr IM 2:21.4, 400 IM 5:02.1, 200 Back 2:20.5, 200 Fly
2:20.6
SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
Maddie Smith
• Jr Nat SC cuts 100 Fly, 200 IM, 200 Breast
• Jr Nationals Dec 2019 – C Final 200 IM; swam Fly on both top 8 200 &
400 Medley Relays
• Spring Sectionals - best times 100 Fly 54.6, 200 Breast 2:17.1
• impressive SCY swims: 200 IM 2:01.5, 500 Free 4:59.5, 200 Free 1:50.7,
200 Fly 2:03.4
SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
Zach Le-Nguyen
• Jr National LC 100 mtr Back 58.3
• Jr Nationals Dec 2019 - B Final 100 Back best time 48.7, other great swims
and best times - 200 Back 1:48.0, 100 Fly 49.3, 200 Fly 1:51.0, 200 Free
split (800 FR) 1:39.5
• impressive LCM swims: 100 Free 52.4, 200 Free, 1:55.7
CLASS OF 2020Congratulations and thank you.
Thank you for your letters.
Thank you for your commitment and
dedication to the sport, to the team, to
our mission, to being student-athletes
at the highest level, and to being great
role models.
We love you and wish you the best!
TO THE PARENTS
• These extraordinary opportunities and successes
would not be possible without your love, support,
and sacrifice.
• You are the silent hero’s in this process, and the
“we” in “we did it”
GRADUATES
1. Margaux McDonald – Sleepy Hollow/Miramonte/Princeton – Swimming
2. Maddie Smith – OPP/Campolindo/UCLA – Swimming
3. Ryan Lenahan – Moraga Ranch/Campolindo/Boston College – Swimming
4. Aidan Vollmar – OPP/Campolindo/University of the Pacific – Swimming
5. Tay Thomas – Pleasant Hill Dolphins/Pepperdine University - Swimming
6. Emmie Appl – Sleepy Hollow/College Prep/Pomona College – Swimming
7. Alex Oh – San Ramon/Middlebury College - Swimming
8. Carla Leone – Great Britain/Campolindo/University of Edinburgh – Swimming
9. Emilia Vollmar – OPP/Campolindo/Chapman University – Swimming
10. Sky Griffin – Montclair/Campolindo/Diablo Valley College - Swimming
11. Daylan Schnayer – Meadow/Campolindo/Whitman College (gap year) – Swimming
12. Luke VandenBerghe – Las Trampas/University of Colorado-Boulder – Water Polo
13. Valeria Reggi – Springbrook/Acalanes - Gap Year
JUNIOR 1-2
JUNIOR 3
SENIOR 2
SENIOR 3
SENIOR 4
STEVE ARNOLD SERVICE AWARD
JANE HEALY & LAUREL PUREWALCRISTINA BENSADOUN
REAGAN PERRY INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
RYAN LENAHAN, AIDAN VOLLMAR, ZACH LE-NGUYEN
VIRGINIA HALL INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
MADDIE SMITH, MARGAUX MCDONALD, TAY THOMAS, MAGGIE BUCKLEY
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH