I grew up here in Reno and learned to swim at Idlewild Pool in the mid 50’s (a much different Idlewild in those days – only 25 yards). By the early 60’s I began competition with the Reno YMCA team and was fast enough to get on some winning relay teams in the State Meet. There were no high school teams in those days, so I didn’t swim in the late 60’s. Instead, I began SCUBA diving. I was a walk-on at Oregon State University and one of the slowest guys there. I learned to work out and get in shape, doing two workouts a day for two years. I competed in Pac-8 swim meets on the JV team.

By the early 70’s I transferred back to Reno and UNR, which did not have swimming for guys. I swam for the Sparks Piranhas for a year and by then the Reno Aquatic Club was formed. I swam with them a year and then started coaching for the team and continued for 25 years. I went to my first masters meet in Mission Viejo in 1975. I’ve been swimming competitively since college.

In the Early 70’s I began teaching SCUBA diving and also became a Red Cross swim instructor. This along with the coaching seminars the RAC sent me to has allowed me to develop as a coach. I became a Gold Star SCUBA Instructor for the National YMCA and taught for 20 years. I am the Chapter Instructor Trainer for the Red Cross in swim instruction and lifeguarding. By the Early 80’s I began managing swimming pools for the City of Reno and did so until retiring. While working as a pool manager, I began teaching Certified Pool Operator classes, allowing me to disseminate my experience locally and Statewide.

The Sierra Nevada Masters swim team was formed in the early 80’s by Sally Dillon and Don Levonie. I took over as coach in 1989 and have enjoyed both the competition and the comradery ever since.

I look forward to seeing you in the pool soon

Steve

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