OUR
BEGINNINGS & OUR STAFF
What if the parents of the
players made all of the decisions for the New York
Yankees? For years, swimming in the lake area
was run by a dedicated group of swimming parents who wanted their
kids to enjoy the sport. Unfortunately, some of these parents often
let their own desires and philosophies for their own children
dictate what the teams did as a whole. In many cases, this left the
team running around in circles, and never moving forward. Coaches
came and went like the latest pop group.
PJ Keller and Andy
Antonetz have both developed some of the fastest and most talented
swimmers to ever come out of the area. Circumstances after
Hurricane Rita provided the opportunity for these two swimming
experts to form a concept new to the area: A swim team that was
actually run and controlled by two swimming professionals.
Swim Louisiana is a
team run and led by coaches, supported by parents and made special
by it’s athletes. We are about SWIMMING, and swimming fast.
We are about TEAM, and everyone being accountable for the success
of that team. We are about FAMILY, and ensuring that every swimmer
feels special. Most importantly, we are about FAITH and trusting
the Lord to guide our day to day decision making process.
The
initial objective of SWIM LOUISIANA is:
Bridge the swimming
community in southwest Louisiana and east Texas into one, unified
group of swimmers, parents, and coaches working toward a premiere
and elite swimming program.
The
mission statement of SWIM LOUISIANA is:
“The mission
of SWIM LOUISIANA is to make a positive difference in the lives of
children and youth, primarily through a coach run, parent supported
competitive swimming team, who focuses on the physical,
psychological and spiritually positive development of life skills
for each and every child who joins our program”
The
vision statement of SWIM LOUISIANA
is:
Continually strive
for competitive and financial success representative of the
swimmers, coaches and parents efforts and commitment to themselves,
the team and the sport.
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PJ KELLER, HEAD
COACH
NATIONAL PREP GROUP COACH
SENIOR GROUP COACH
email
Coach PJ Keller, our Senior and National Prep
Coach, has had a storied career as both a Senior and Age Group
Coach. During the mid to late 1990’s, he led the area in
producing 4 Junior National qualifiers, multiple state champions,
and 1 Olympic Trials Qualifier. His Barbe H.S. Teams of 1995-1998
went 41-1 in the four dual meet seasons he was at the helm. Coach
Keller was named the LHSAA High School Coach of the Year in 1995,
and the SWL Coach of the Year in 1995, 1996, 1997, &
1998
At
the Parkway Swim Club from 1998 until 2005, he led an age group
program that produced over 20 Nationally ranked 10-14 year olds,
and was named the American Swimming Coaches Association Age Group
Coach of the Year for the Ozark LSC in 2002. PJ served as the Ozark
LSC Zone Team Head Coach for three consecutive years from
2000-2003.
Coach Keller is also the Aquatics Supervisor of the SPAR
Recreation and Aquatic Center, and has served as a committee
chairman for USA Swimming for several years. He is a Certified Pool
Operator, Aquatic Manager, and holds Instructor Certifications in
Waterpark Lifeguarding, CPR, First-Aid and Automated External
Defibrulation.
Coach Keller attended Florida State University where he was a
sprint freestyler and butterflier, while majoring in Recreation
Management & Fitness. He and his wife Denise have three
children, Patrick (18, who is currently serving in the United
States Marine Corps) Mackenzie (7), and Madison (2). In his spare
time, PJ enjoys playing the drums and spending time with his family
and friends. He also enjoys traveling and working around the
house.
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ANDY ANTONETZ, HEAD
AGE GROUP COACH
SPAR RED,
WHITE, BLUE & GOLD COACH
SULPHUR H.S. HEAD COACH
coachandy@swimlouisiana.com
Coach Andrew Antonetz has a
remarkable background in coaching and education. Coach Antonetz has
a masters degree in education with an emphasis in exercise science
from McNeese State University. Andy brings 35 years of coaching and
competitive experience to our stroke development through Gold
Groups. As a 4 year All-American and National Champion, he knows
what it takes to acheive competitive success,beginning with a solid
skill foundation.
Andy was named the LHSAA Region I
Coach of the year in 2002 & 2003, and the SWL Coach of the year
in 1993 & 1994. He was named the 1997 Virginia High School
Independent State Swimming and Diving Championship Coach of the
Year while coaching at Hargrave Military Academy. Coach Antonetz
has coached on a variety of levels in his career including the
University level. He has produced multiple State Champions in
Louisiana and Virginia at the USA age group level and high school
level. He has also sent many swimmers to the Junior
Nationals.
Andy also serves as a Physical
Education teacher for kindergarten to 5th grade at Moss Bluff
Elementary School in the Calcasieu Parish School System. He is also
the Head Coach of the Sulphur High School Varsity Swim Team.
Andy is a devoted and commited
Christian. He and his wife Charlotte have 3 children, Jessica (25),
Savannah (14), and Shane (11). In his spare time, Coach Andy enjoys
skiing, going to the beach and spending time with his
family.
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RYAN NUGENT
- ASSISTANT COACH
RED, WHITE,
BLUE & GOLD II COACH
CAROLINE YOKUBAITIS - ASSISTANT
COACH
RED, WHITE,
BLUE & GOLD 1 ASSISTANT COACH
SENIOR ASSISTANT COACH
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Over 35
years of combined coaching experience!
