The Summer Olympics
Local coach shows what it takes to swim at the highest level
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Mike Jacobs reports Video by tmj4.com
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BROWN DEER - Dave Anderson is a swim coach at Schroeder Aquatic Center in Brown Deer. He knows how to keep young swimmers focused. He doesn't let them off easy.
Student Lucas Kuriga says, "If you're sucking at practice he asks you, 'Why are you doin so bad?'"
At the end of the day, it's all to make the kids the best they can be.
"It's incredible to watch a kid in one year develop," Anderson exclaims.
Lucas is one of those kids. He told TODAY'S TMJ4 why he swims. "I don't really know how to explain it, but it centers me, and I can relax and I forget about all like school and other stresses in life."
Lucas is now 18-years-old, with grown-up dreams.
"Making NCAA would be great -- that's Olympic trial times or faster," he says.
Lucas has the right coach for it. Anderson used to coach Olympic triathlete Gwen Jorgensen. He wouldn't be surprised to see more Olympians come out of Schroeder -- including Fox Point native Steve Cebertowicz. As Anderson explains. "He narrowly missed making a semi in 100 free, and wants to go pro, and go for 2016."
Anderson admits it's a way of life to be an elite swimmer -- both in and out of the water. "Families are here seven days a week. It gets to be quite a big commitment."
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