Girls Swim

Fall Season, August - October

Practice M-F 3:30-5:30pm

 

Hello Vikings,

 

My name is Anthony McClellan and I grew up on the south side of Chicago, graduated from Lutheran High School South and completed my undergrad with a bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). As a high school athlete, I competed in several high school sports including soccer, football, tennis, wrestling, and track and field. At the collegiate level I also participated on the diving team at Northern Illinois University and intra collegiate-volleyball at NEIU. At the Semi-Pro level, I played football for the Chicago Horseman.

 

While I was not a competitive swimmer as a young man, I am no stranger to the water. As a product of the YMCA in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio I learned to swim and developed a strong love for the water at a very young age. While completing my undergrad at NEIU, I began my swim team coaching career with the Vikings and was able to re-discover my passion for swimming. I spent 5 years studying, learning, practicing and teaching swim stroke technique as a Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructor for the NEIU Neptune swim program. As my athletes will tell you, I place a heavy focus on learning proper technique because proper technique leads to faster swim times.

 

This is my 4th year as a Girls' and Boys' Swim Coach at Amundsen, and my 2nd year as the Girls' Head Swim Coach. During his time here at Amundsen, both Viking teams have had undefeated seasons and have placed 1st in the conference each year. Both programs have seen steady growth in numbers and skill level. This season the Girls' team placed 9th overall in the city and took 6th place at the IHSA Sectional meet. Each year, my goals for the team consist of producing swimmers capable of swimming at the state level, and to see as many Amundsen swimmers as possible swim as strong competitors at the college level.

Greetings!

 

My name is Valerie Poulos and I coach the Girls Swim Team in the Fall semester and the Girls Water Polo Team in the Spring semester. I also teach high school English at Amundsen, which allows me to provide out of classroom tutoring and mentoring. My teaching, coaching, and my personal athletic backgrounds have prepared me to lead these teams to success.

 

When I was still a student, I participated on swim teams ever since my mom threw me in the pool as a toddler. I was lucky to swim on many club teams and experience in-state and out-of-state competition, meets, and camps. At ten years old I was introduced to the sport of Water Polo - a sport that quickly became a passion. I swam and played Water Polo throughout my high school career.

 

I received my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I also played collegiate Water Polo. This experience heightened my level of play and leadership, as well as exposed me to the diverse game strategies throughout the Big10 Conference. While I studied Political Science, Human Geography, and English, I knew that Swimming and Water Polo would always play a role in my life. Indeed, I can’t stay away from the game and currently play on a traveling Master’s Water Polo Team.

 

I have coached swim teams at all age levels for the past eleven years, most notably at Millennium Swim Club. These experiences prepared me to coach high school girls of all swim levels and speeds. I am proud that the Amundsen Girls Swim Team is open to a range of swimmers, from state qualifiers to those who are just learning to swim. Lastly, but most notably, before coming to Amundsen I coached a suburban Water Polo team for eight years straight, which allowed me to build the program and coach them to many conference and sectional wins. I hope and plan on bringing the same success to the Amundsen Water Polo Team. Water Polo brings me so much joy, and having the opportunity to coach young girls and increase their love of a game that is growing in notoriety, is the highlight of my day.

 

I love what I do and I am lucky to work with students outside of the classroom. Mentoring young women in athletics, and life in general is my driving force. I am committed to preparing students and players for their future successes, and as a coach I will always put my best effort into every practice, game, and meet.

 

Go Vikings!