SWIM CLUB COACH SEES REGION AS TALENT POOL.Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer When the Conejo-Simi Aquatics swimming club needed a coach to replace Mike Sheradin this year, it turned to Paul Davidson, assistant coach at the University of Michigan (body, education) University of Michigan - A large cosmopolitan university in the Midwest USA. Over 50000 students are enrolled at the University of Michigan's three campuses. The students come from 50 states and over 100 foreign countries. . Davidson, looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a challenge after guiding SoCal Aquatics in Tustin for nine years and spending two years with the Wolverines, didn't tarry tarry /tar·ry/ (tahr´e) 1. filled with or covered by tar. 2. thick, dark; resembling tar. tarry said of feces that are black and glutinous. See also melena. before accepting the job. Davidson says the Conejo and Simi valleys Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. are fertile ground for swim talent, and he hopes to tap into that source and build the club into one of the best in the state. ``I think this area has had some great swimming success in the past, and I think it can certainly rise to that level again and beyond,'' said Davidson, who played water polo water polo, swimming game encompassing features of soccer, football, basketball, and hockey. The object of the game is to maneuver, by head, feet, or hand, a leather-covered ball 27 to 28 in. at UC Irvine. Davidson's first goal was to stabilize the club and make sure it was fiscally sound. The second was to establish a program that local swimmers would be interested in joining - ``one that people would fall all over themselves to be a part of,'' said Davidson, 34. Consider both goals achieved. The club seems to be on solid ground financially, he said. And by seeking out some talented assistant coaches - Ken Grey, Greg Stelle, Pam Heckel, Trisha Commons and Gareth Greenaway - Davidson has created a staff that should ensure success. ``Having high-quality coaches on the staff was of utmost importance,'' Davidson said. Davidson works with the club's top swimmers while his assistants work with the younger, up-and-coming swimmers. At this point, Conejo-Simi Aquatics works with about 140 local swimmers. The club enters age-group competitions throughout the year. Typically, a swimmer will work out about 17 hours per week. ``Swimming is a sport that demands good work ethic work ethic n. A set of values based on the moral virtues of hard work and diligence. work ethic Noun a belief in the moral value of work and goal setting,'' Davidson said, ``probably above and beyond other sports.'' Davidson talks about the deferred gratification Deferred gratification or delayed gratification is the ability to wait in order to obtain something that one wants. This ability is usually considered to be a personality trait which is important for life success. that dominates swimming. It means that swimmers work hard all year for one or two personal-peak performances. ``The process of our sport is paramount,'' said Davidson. ``And you have to enjoy the process and understand it.'' Although Conejo-Simi Aquatics is loaded with some top advanced swimmers, Davidson is especially impressed with the younger swimmers in the development stage. With the right sort of work and commitment over the next few years, he anticipates success for them. ``I can see this group growing and improving their performances,'' Davidson said. Some of the top advanced swimmers in the club are Royal High School's Ingrid Salazar (freestyle, butterfly), Jason Weber (backstroke, Westlake), Tessa Milman (freestyle, Westlake), Eric Shaffer (freestyle, Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. ), Dave Stelle (breast stroke, Agoura) and Lauren Borisoff (freestyle, Agoura). Club swimmers pay a monthly coaches fee and there are fund raisers to cover equipment and operational costs. There are scholarships available for some swimmers. For more information on the Conejo-Simi Aquatics swim club, call (805) 379-BEST. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Paul Davidson, head coach of the Conejo-Simi Aquatics club, times a swimmer during a workout at the Rancho Simi Rancho San José de Nuestra Senora de Altagarcia y Simi is one of the land grants in California by the Spanish government. The name derives from Shimiji, the name of the Chumash village here before the Spanish. pool. Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News |
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