RATS COACHING
Coaching Overview
We are very fortunate to have an extremely talented and hardworking coaching staff. All of the coaches work with all of the age groups, so swimmers will have access to all of the coaches.
Coach Liaison
Questions, comments or concerns regarding team philosophy, its application to a swimmer, or coaching activities should be directed to our Coach Liaison.
Team Involvement
The coaching staff, under supervision of the Coach Liaison, determines the entries for each meet. These entries will be based on a combination of factors including recorded times, practice attendance, the number of swimmers in a given age group, and team needs. It is the team’s desire that swimmers become well rounded, reaching a certain proficiency level in all strokes. Therefore, swimmers may be asked to occasionally to swim strokes that are not necessarily their favorites. Swimming these "off strokes" helps the swimmer keep track of his/her time improvements for all strokes during the whole season.
Relay Teams
The coaching staff chooses each relay team. Coaches look at recorded times, participation, starts and finishes, and team needs. The A and B relays will be chosen for competitiveness. The C relays focus on participation. The desire is to have all swimmers participate on a relay team if possible. In our larger age groups, swimmers may not be able to participate in a relay in every meet.
Meet the coaches:
Matt Boone – Head Coach
2010 will be Matt's first year as Rats Head Coach, his second season coaching the Rats, and his sixth season as a coach in the Walnut Creek Swim Conference. In addition to acting as Assistant Coach for the Rats last year, Matt also spent four years as an assistant at Springbrook, as well as several years of junior coaching beforehand.
Matt has a long history of swimming as well. He started swimming at Pleasant Hill Aquatics when he was 5 and moved to Springbrook when he was 10. Since then he has swam with the Terrapin swim club, Acalanes varsity swim team and, currently, the Yale University varsity team. He has completed his second year at Yale and looks forward to another fun filled and successful season with the Rats.
Todd Travis – Assistant Coach
Greetings swimmers and families. As you know I am Todd Travis, and I couldn't be happier to return this summer to coach the Rats. This is now my fourth summer coaching, second with the Rats. I just finished my junior year at UCSB, where I am currently majoring in History, and on the volleyball team as well, where I serve as the starting opposite hitter. With my focus shifting to swimming, I am looking forward to building on the amazing summer we had last year. As always, my emphasis is on the mental as well as physical aspect of swimming. I stress the importance of stroke technique, just as much as the preparation needed to be a great swimmer. Most of all, I hope to maximize the amount of fun for swimmers and families alike. Lets have a fun and memorable summer!
Ross Dautel – Junior Assistant Coach
Hey Rats! My name is Ross Dautel and I am returning for my third season as a coach of Rudgear Estates and my twelfth as a swimmer. I am a senior at Las Lomas High School where I am the student body president and a varsity swimmer and water polo player. I am currently serving as team captain of the Las Lomas Swim Team for the second year in a row. It gives me great pleasure to return to REST for the Summer of 2010. I am looking forward to working and interacting with each and every one of you this summer. I have high hopes for this summer and I promise to do my best in making 2010 a year to remember! GOOOOOOOOOO RATS!
Jenna Thurston – Junior Assistant Coach
My name is Jenna Thurston and I have been swimming since I was 7 years old and I have been involved with Rec swimming for 11 years now. I am VERY excited for this summer to meet everyone because I know this summer will be unforgettable!
Jon Crain – Junior Coach
Jon has been a Rat swimmer for the last 13 years, and after graduating from the team last year, he decided he couldn't stay away and is returning for his first year as a coach. Jon is a huge fan of the Jonas Brothers, but would totally miss their show to coach the Rats.
Michaela Crain – Junior Coach
Michaela, like her brother Jon, spent 13 years as a Rat swimmer and couldn't wait for the chance to come back and coach this year. Michaela, however, is not a fan of the Jonas Brothers, preferring instead to go to the circus because she loves clowns.
Kevin Choi – Junior Coach
Hello, my name is Kevin Choi and I this is my first season as a coach of Rudgear Estates and 11th year swimming with the team. I am a junior at Las Lomas High School and have been apart of the Las Lomas Varsity Swim Team. For two years in a row I have made North Coast Section, placing 30th and 15th respectively last year and this year in the 100yd butterfly. It is an honor to return to the RATS as both a swimmer and a coach. I am looking forward to meet and work with everyone this summer. 2010 will be a good year for us.