News
Pivec Commits to Bates College
 During her time at Dad’s Club Peyton has been a Sectional qualifier and a multiple time Southwestern Preparatory Conference medalist. Bates College placed 4thoverall at last years’ NESCAC Championships. Peyton hopes to be a strong contributor in both the 100 and 200 Breaststroke at the conference meet. “I’m excited to announce my commitment to swim and study at Bates College. Thank you to my friends, family, and coaches who have helped me get this far. Go Bobcats!” Peyton currently attends The Kinkaid School and plans on studying psychology. Congratulations Peyton! Check out our other class of 2020 College Commitments Sydney Buchman – Kenyon College Noah Czelusta – Columbia University Ellie McLeod - University of Texas
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Where are they now? Paul La Raia Class of 2000
 Paul with his family How did you get into swimming?
My mother loves swimming. And she loved taking all four of us kids to the pool during the summer, wearing us out, and watching us learn to balance in and move through the water with minimal effort. Dads Club was an extension of our family and our home — we were all in. If my mom was going to fight I-10 traffic to take one of her kids to Dads, we were all going to go. Now that I have kids of my own, they too have learned to love going to the pool with Grandma.
What did you love most about Dads Club? The friendships. The fun. And the lifelong lessons that transform you forever. I have great memories of our three mile runs through Spring Valley, early season soccer at the fields near Spring Branch ISD’s Reggie Grob Stadium, Saturday morning practices, get-out swims, New Year’s Eve marathon swims, and spending time with teammates and their parents at Texas’ motels, hotels, McDonalds, Luby’s, Chili’s, Bennigans, and all the other places we stayed and ate at while traveling for swim meets season after season. I especially remember the joy of swimming with all my fellow age group swimmers at TAGS and chanting cheers like “the pool is on fire from the mighty Dad’s heat.”
How did your years of training change you? I can’t emphasize enough the importance of vital lifelong lessons learned at Dads Club about success, failure, discipline, goal-setting, competition, visualization, encouragement, leadership, respect and compassion.
How did your coaches impact you? All my coaches at the Dad’s Club made an impact and influenced my life in a positive way. Chrissy Dunn ignited my life-long love for the sport. Kelly Rives challenged me with his imported University of Texas swimming dry land exercises (for example, the power wheel crawl over the small hill by the 50m pool) and taught us discipline in and out of the pool. When I wanted to miss practice because of an exam the next day, I remember Kelly telling me the importance of planning ahead to complete my studying, so I would not have to miss swimming. Larry Glass taught me the importance of not taking yourself or swimming too seriously. Last but not least, Mark Boerner was the best swimming technique coach that I ever had, and he encouraged me through my own struggles during my teenage years.
| What kept you motivated? Success for both myself, my teammates, and the Dad’s Club kept me motivated. As I succeeded and dropped time, it made me want to practice even harder and listen more carefully to my coaches’ advice and wisdom. Swimming is an individual sport, but also about the team. I wanted to succeed, and I also wanted success for the club, my coaches and teammates. Because of the sacrifice and dedication we shared for the sport of swimming we were all in it together. 
Are there any long lasting friendships you developed at Dad’s or in the world of swimming? When you spend that much time experiencing both success and failure with the same group, you develop lasting relationships that I have maintained throughout the years. I recently was a groomsman at the wedding of one of those friends. And I have enjoyed catching up and watching my fellow Dad’s Club teammate, Rey Aguilar, coach his Dad’s Club swimmers over these many years. He is one of the most understanding, knowledgeable, and experienced coaches around United States Swimming.
How your experience as a swimmer influenced your life in college, after college and your work? After growing up swimming, I wanted to continue the sport in college – the fact that I went from two practices per day to one made it even better! I swam three out of my four years at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and was a co-captain my senior year. During those college years, swimming helped me structure my time for studying, swimming, and socializing, and built more lifelong friendships.
Throughout graduate school and still today, swimming has continued to be part of my workout routine. I have learned that you do not have be the fastest or most fit swimmer out there in order to enjoy the benefits of the sport. Swimming strengthens your heart, lungs, core, and mind regardless of you speed or endurance level. Within the exercise community today, you often hear about the benefit of high-intensity interval training for your body and mind — which is what I’ve been doing since a very young age at Dads Club.
Is the rest of your family still swimming? It runs in my family. My sister, Laura, has raised her kids swimming. My other sister, Ginger, also raised swimmers and coaches a high school team at Georgetown, Texas where last year she was named State Coach of the Year by the University Interscholastic League for boys swimming and diving. My brother lives in San Diego, for many years I have joined him to race in the La Jolla Rough Water Swim (a 3 mile open water swim) — we have even convinced some old Dads Club teammates to join us! Check out our other Where are they now alumni |
Buchman Commits to Kenyon College
 Congratulations
to Sydney Buchman who recently committed to swim at Kenyon College!
During her time at Dad's Club Sydney has qualified for Sectionals, NCSA Jr. Nationals, and Winter Jr. Nationals. She has also been Southern Preparatory Conference State Champion in the 100 breaststroke. "The minute I stepped foot onto Kenyon's campus I knew it was the place for me. I am so excited to be part of such an incredible swim team! Go Lords and Ladies!" The Kenyon Ladies’ Swim team has a storied history with 23 NCAA Division III Championships; more than any other Division III Women’s team, in any sport. In 2019, they were edged out by Emory by a mere 9 points, earning 2nd overall. Sydney will be an immediate contributor in the breaststroke and IM events. Congratulations Sydney! Check out our other class of 2020 College Commitments
Noah
Czelusta – Columbia University
Ellie
McLeod - University of Texas
Dad's Club College Swimmers Page
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McLeod Commits to University of Texas
 As a lifelong Dad’s Club swimmer, Ellie started with us as a 10 & under and has worked her way up through the Dad’s Club ranks to become a team captain during the last two years. She has also broken multiple team, gulf and state records along the way. Ellie has qualified for Sectionals, NCSA Jr. Nationals, Winter and Summer Junior Nationals, Winter Nationals and the U.S Open. “I’m so excited to announce my commitment to swim for the University of Texas class of 2024!! I can’t wait to be a part of such an incredible team and school!! Hook’em” Ellie looks to make her contributions in the freestyle and breaststroke events, as well as relays. Her class of 2024 Longhorns is one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. Congratulations Ellie!
Check out our other class of 2020 College Commitments
Noah
Czelusta – Columbia University
Sydney
Buchman – Kenyon College
Dad's Club College Swimmers Page |
Congratulations Coach Rey: 2019 Gulf Swimming Coach of the Year
 This past Sunday during the Annual Gulf Banquet at the Westchase Marriott, Dads Club’s own Head Coach Rey Aguilar was awarded 2019 Gulf Swimming Coach of the Year. The club is proud & honored to have Coach Rey leading our team! CONGRATULATIONS COACH REY! |
2019 Gulf Awards Banquet
Congratulations to all our swimmers
who received awards during this year’s Gulf banquet.  Dad’s Club was well represented. We had 33 athletes that qualified to receive an award at this year’s banquet. Below is a list of Dads Club athletes and the level of award they achieved. Gulf Qualifying Award – Texas/Gulf Select Camp participant, Gulf open water All-Stars team participant, Tags individual finalist (1-8), Tags relay finalist (1-8), Futures meet participant, Sectionals individual finalist (1-16), Sectionals relay finalist (1-8), national Championship relay participant, US Open Championship relay participant, Southern Senior Zones Individual Finalist (1-8). David Alas Bailey Bergen Jeremy Bates Ava Ceraudo Tori Cone Jeff De Groot Finn Helman Larkin Helman Laurel Hoskovec Lexie Lukens JP McCann Alex Miao Avery Pham Preston Pham Lei Smith Layton Snyder Bob Timuruly Reid Vandervoort |  Level 1- Zones Select Camp Participant, USA Swimming Junior National Championships Qualifier, TAGS Individual Champion, Southern Senior Zones Individual Champion, Futures Individual Finalist (top 16), National Open Water Champ Participant, National Diversity Select Camp Participant Emma Clark Andreas Mason Renee Nealon
Level 2 -National Select Camp, Gulf Record(Individual & Relay), Senior Zones Record, Futures Champion, USA Swimming Junior National Champion, National Championships Qualifier, US Open Water Top 8 Finisher, USA Swimming Top 10( fastest top 10 times in the country per event and age bracket) Isabella Alas Aria Bernal Brynn Bond Noah Czelusta Kassidy Kitchel Ellie Mcleod Laura Saunders Sydney Smith Elloise Williamson Megan Zuanich Sydney Buchman
Level 3-National Championship Finalist(top16), US Open Championship Finalist(top 16), National Age Group Record(Individual & Relay), National Open Water Champion, Olympic Trials Qualifier, World Championships Trials Qualifier Caleb Duncan Way to go Dad's Club! |
Czelusta Commits to Columbia University
 During his time at Dad’s Club Noah has qualified for NCSA Jr. Nationals, Speedo Jr. Nationals, and the U.S Open. He has also been a UIL State finalist, Scholastic All American, and a multiple time team record holder. Noah has served as a Dad’s Club team captain for the last two years. “I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to study and swim at Columbia University! Thank you to my friends, family, and coaches for supporting me. Go Lions!” Columbia is an esteemed Ivy League school, and consistently ranks among the top schools in the country. Last year, the Men’s Swimming & Diving Team placed 4th at the Ivy League Championship. Noah will be a strong contributor in the Butterfly, Breaststroke, and IM events. Congratulations Noah! Check out our other class of 2020 College Commitments Sydney Buchman – Kenyon College Ellie Mcleod - University of Texas
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New Natatorium Plans
Dear Members, Last evening was a tremendous night for the Dad's Club and is bound to leave it's mark in the deep history of OUR club. You may have wondered what the City of Spring Valley signs were that were on the boundaries of the club.  The City Council for the City of Spring Valley Village unanimously approved our Supplemental Use Permit Amendment for the new Natatorium. The charge has been led by our President Charlie Calderwood and has been a primary focus of the Board of Directors for almost four years. We are proud to share our architecture's presentation video of the new Dads Club Natatorium. You will note a new 25y indoor pool, new locker rooms, gym, wider drive, more parking and so much more. Enjoy! Dads Club! |
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