New Swimming Program Finds Early Success

If athletic programs are measured by success, then the Lakeland Area Swim program for competitive juniors is off the measuring charts.

Coach Duncan Sherrard, a 14-time All-American swimmer at the University of Florida, said that in three championship meets this summer, LAS swimmers posted best times in every swim but one - a 99 percent rate. By comparison, swimmers at the 2008 Olympics swam best times at a rate of 60 percent to 70 percent.

"We had one event where a kid didn't swim a best time," he said.

It doesn't surprise the parents of the fledgling team, which peaked with 55 swimmers this summer, including one Junior Olympic state champion.

"These coaches are very professional," said Maureen Ringley, who brings her daughters, 12-year-old Rachel and 10-year-old Kristina, from Plant City to swim with LAS.

"They are professional with the parents, students, everything," she said. "Everything has been extremely impressive."

Ringley was not only referring to Sherrard, but coaches Mike Blum and George Jenkins' coach Jen Gosslin.

"I think it's outstanding," said Kelly Peeples, parent of Derek, 11. "The kids are learning the basics and techniques. All the coaches do a great job. They make it fun for the kids."

Sherrard is humble about the compliments. He's a competitor with a sense of history, too. He swam for the Bartow Imperial Fliers and the City of Lakeland Aquatics (COLA) programs.

"Polk County has a long tradition of success in swimming," he said. "So does swimming in Lakeland. I wanted to get a program with that kind of success, especially for the city of Lakeland."

Sherrard was hired to coach the Florida Southern College swim program in January. In March, he started the LAS team with 25 kids. He practices five days a week, plus Saturday mornings for the older swimmers.

The trio of coaches break the swimmers into age groups and ability levels for water practices. They also do dry land drills to build their body core, and they run.

"I do believe in hard work," Sherrard said. "I measure success on if the kids are having fun and if they are improving."

The coaches joke around with the swimmers and ask about school and their other extracurricular activities. Sherrard keeps his philosophy simple, relaxed and to the point.

"I'm pretty honest," he said. "I tell it like it is."

His swimmers do a lot of stroke drills. Sherrard emphasizes thinking.

"You have to swim right before you do it fast," he said.

He keeps it fun with contests for the younger swimmers, sometimes with candy for rewards.

To keep the mood light for the older swimmers, he picks one person in practice. That person must swim a certain time. If he or she does, everyone gets a break in practice.

This past summer 16 LAS swimmers qualified for the U.S. Swimming Area 3 and 5 championships.

"The biggest thing is having that familiarity," Sherrard said. "We want the kids to feel comfortable with us. Ultimately, every coach wants to win. I want Lakeland swimming to return to greatness."