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Swimmingly new season, new coach

Squad stays afloat with coach Steve Hanson

February 22, 2010
by Joe Ezaki | Staff Writer

Alexandr Petrenko works on his kicking during an early morning practice. Photo by Terri M. Venesio

On a bleak Saturday morning in February, with clouds looming overhead, you could and would find most college students still asleep. But not the City College swim team.

Instead, on this Feb. 6 morning, the swimmers are in Hoos Pool for their intra-squad meet and the start of this year’s season under the eye of a new coach.

“Training for these first couple of weeks was pretty intense, but I‘m excited to be back in the pool,” says sophomore Estrella Ramirez, sister of All-American and former City College swimmer Victoria Ramirez.

Even with a small team of 12, Hanson isn’t concerned with team points.  Instead he wants his swimmers to focus on bettering improving themselves.

“We’re creating a new culture, and the culture is about getting better, every single day,” Hanson says.

Despite his short time with the team, Hanson’s message has already been heard by the athletes under his tutelage.

“I’m hoping to cut down a couple seconds in each of my events,” says freshman Brad Kajiwara.

According to Hanson, by encouraging swimmers to push and better themselves, they  will ultimately be helping the team.

Preaching a consistent message and practicing what you preach are essentials to coaching, both of which Hanson holds dear.  While continuing to work with this season’s squad, Hanson says that he wants to recruit swimmers who fit into his system he wants swimmers that want to push themselves.

With plain enthusiasm, Hanson is building a solid foundation and has his sights set on the future.

“I’m excited, I have a lot of big plans and ideas for the program and just want to start out,” he says.

Hanson gets a special twinkle in his eye when talking about his team and program.  Clearly excited, and in a tone that denotes a mission statement, he says, “We’re going to be growing a program that I can be proud of, that our players and athletes can be proud of, as well as the school.”