Dave Steele, for one, can testify that there is such a thing as
fate.
Dave Steele, for one, can testify that there is such a thing as fate.
Steele was coaching a club swim team in Rockford, Ill. last summer when San Benito Aquatic Swim Club President Doug Drogemuller, who was there on vacation visiting his parents, just happened to drop his kids off in Rockford’s local pool for a swim.
A conversation between Drogemuller and Steele was struck up. Turns out Steele had had enough of the cold weather in the midwest and wanted out. Drogemuller was looking for a new coach for SBA. The rest is history.
Steele took over the reins at SBA last Jan. 2. It has been a mutual admiration society in Hollister since then.
“Dave is a real strong, professional coach,” said Drogemuller. “We’re very excited to have him. He’s driving the team to be the best it can be. He expects a lot of the kids and they expect a lot of themselves because of it.”
“Dave’s a real nice guy,” said Hollister High swim coach Derek Kisling. “He’s really knowledgeble and I’m not afraid to tap him for information. His success with SBA and my success at Hollister go hand-in-hand. It’s rare for a swimmer to start his freshman year in high school and make the top 16 in CCS. It’s important they start at a young age.”
Steele’s SBAers churn water this Friday, Saturday and Sunday when SBA hosts the Faultline Fiesta Swim Meet at Hollister High. Over 400 swimmers from 15 teams as far away as Livermore will participate.
Two distance events take place on Friday, starting at 4 p.m. Saturday’s and Sunday’s events run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“That means 1,500 more people in the town of Hollister to spend money on gas, food and lodging,” said Steele, who hails from Caruthersville, Missouri, a town of about 7,000. “And we’re going to have a snack bar here, too.”
Steele has a set goal in mind for SBA.
“My goal is for every swimmer to swim to his or her full potential,” said Steele. “And to have fun doing it. The definition of fun is in achievement. If we do that then we’ll be a winning team and have a quality program.”
Steele likes the talent he sees at SBA, citing several top swimmers to name some – Shelli Reed in the backstroke, Christian Smith in the freestyle, Tanner Zazueta-Carrillo for versatility, Blane Curtice in the breaststroke, Brandon Drogemuller in the distance and Mitch Molchan as a utility swimmer.
There are about 40 girls and 30 boys, ages 7-through-18, currently on the club.
“The numbers have gone up since I got here, but we’d like to have 125,” said Steele.
Some swimmers, like Jared McDonald, think swimming is a great way to get in shape.
“I’ve lost 14 pounds,” said McDonald, age 12. “Coach Steele is a cool coach and a real good coach.”
So far, so good for Steele, whose coaching ability will be pivotal for the rise of swimming in San Benito County.
