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Joseph Van De Walker
My interest in swimming started when my Dad would take my family to the
beach and pools and help my sister and me float around and learned the
strokes. Growing up in South Carolina and Iowa gave me the opportunity
to learn from my father skills to be a coach and a physical
trainer. I swam at Portage Central Middle School when my family
returned to Michigan. The coaches saw my potential and reccommended to
continue swimming competitively. In my Sophomore year at Portage
Central High School I was a member of a Division 1 200 freestyle relay
team. My Junior year I made the state cut for all of my main events (50
freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 medley relay, 200 free relay). My 200
Freestyle relay broke the Division 2 record as well as several school
records. I finished highschool with several records on the board and
All American Swimming awards, and I attribute my success to my coach. I
swam at Eastern Michigan University my Freshman year, and learned a lot
about swimming technique and Dryland excercises from the Assistant
Coach.
I started working with the Otters as a lifeguard, but would fill in for
coaches when they had a scheduling conflict. My background working at
city owned beaches and teaching merit badges in Boy Scouts made YOSC
the perfect fit. I have been with the Ypsilanti Otters Swim Club for
three years and enjoy helping the kids become stronger swimmers.
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