`

Nick Lillard - Junior 2, Blue, Pre-Varsity, Masters Group

COACH NICK LILLARD 

I began my swimming career when I was 4 years old.  Suffice it to say, I was the most reluctant swimmer that swim teachers and coaches alike had ever come across.  It took three years for me to even allow my head to go under water.  One of the few times I remember a major balk with the water, was the first time my swim teacher took me across the length of the pool, with me kicking, screaming and crying with my head up all the way.   That was the main reason my mom insisted on lessons; if I ever fell into water, I needed to know how to swim! Believe me, I tried the patience of many, but they all stayed with me!  Almost over night after that three year duration, I began to enjoy the water and found a competitive streak in myself that I never realized was there.  At 8 years old, I joined the Vacaville Swim Club in June 1993 for the year round program.  Starting in group one, aging up to the 9 – 11 year olds in two months, as my 9^th birthday  approaching fast  in August, I swam at meets, but still didn’t quite get the concept that focus was more important that just having all out fun! 

Over the years, through elementary and Junior High, I became more serious about swimming, and decided to swim in the National Group with Coach Wedaman. I swam in the National Group from 8^th grade through my 2^nd year at college. After graduating Will C. Wood in 2001 I continued on to Diablo Valley College to study and join their swim team.  I am happy to say that I helped DVC win State back to back in 2002 and 2003.  (all of this from the reluctant swimmer in the late 80’s and early 90’s!)  I proceeded to San Luis Obispo to attend Cuesta and Cal Poly. I had been away from Vacaville for almost 4 years, accomplished some of my academic goals, but knew that I needed more as I fell away from swimming and wanted to go back to my home town, teach and coach swimmers of all ages and attend a local university.

Almost immediately upon arriving in Vacaville in late August of 2006, I began swimming in the Master’s Program, when approached by Coach Andy Wedaman to coach the Blue Group, Junior 2 and Morning Masters.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to get back where I truly felt at home.  I have been at the Swim Club ever since, it’s been my “home” for 14 years.  I plan on attending Sacramento State in the Fall studying  Astronomy and Physics, which I enjoy as much as I do coaching.  I also plan to stay within the swim community and do as much as I can to stay in touch and work with the swimmers.  I’ve learned a valuable lesson when I was so fearful in the early years, and I am able to apply approaches with those beginning swimmers who may have trouble adjusting to the water as I had been there myself.  I plan to obtain my teaching credentials and teach Astronomy and Physics; make it fun, but teach.  The same with my swimmers; teach, but with a positive, fun and serious approach.  

        Web Master Feed Back Form    Click here for a map to Vacaville Swim Club    Contact Vacaville Swim Club
                                               Get Adobe Reader