Andy Wedaman
Head Coach
Email
Background
I have led
the Vacaville Swim Club since 1988, growing the team from 45 to 250
swimmers and producing national level athletes since 1989. I
have developed the team structure and the coaching staff which has
produced new team record holders every year and moved the team into
being one of the top programs in Northern California.
I grew up in
Memphis, Tennessee and swam there as a youth. I was greatly
influenced by the coach at the University of Memphis, Dick Fadgent.
I returned to swimming as a coach of the West Seattle YMCA
while also working at Boeing Aerospace as an engineer after
graduation from college. I then went into coaching full time by
moving to Texas to work with the world-record-producing coach Jack
Simon before coming to Vacaville Swim Club.
Since coming to
Vacaville to become the Head Coach we have produced an excellent
program that has now led to the club’s being a Bronze Medal
Team in the Club Excellence Program of USA Swimming. We are proud
to have many NCAA Division I, II and III swimmers, both past and
present, many attending college on scholarship.
Coaching Philosophy
My coaching
philosophy involves getting the swimmers to challenge themselves
and to mature from the challenge. I like them to learn to be
comfortable being uncomfortable.
I like using
swimming as the vehicle to learning life’s lessons including,
but not limited to, having respect for one another, integrity,
discipline, presentation of self, language, and appearance. I want
the swimmers to always set high standards and have high
expectations.
Accomplishments
Level 4
ASCA coach
Graduate University of Memphis
with Engineering Degree
Masters level work in
Biomechanics and Physiology
Coach at numerous All-Star and
Altitude Camps at the Olympic Training Center
Served on Sierra Nevada
Swimming LSC Board for 12 years
Climbed both Mt.Rainier and
Mt. Shasta.
Eagle Scout
Anthony Madonna
Head Age Group Coach
Email
Background
I have been a member of the Vacaville Swim Club since
1979 when as a
six year old I dragged my parents down to the pool on my
father’s birthday to tryout for the team. I guess you
could say I’m a Vacaville Swim Club lifer!
Since my initial workout, I went on to swim for Chico State and Cal
Poly San Luis Obispo and returned home in 1995 and in 1996 head
coach Andy Wedaman offered me a job coaching 8 and unders.
Since then I’ve been in charge of almost every age group at
one point or another, until my current position coaching the Senior
group which has swimmers in age from 13-15.
Coaching
Philosophy
In order to be a fast swimmer at the age I coach, I believe one
must train for the IM and must be willing to get after any distance
freestyle set given to them. Technique is another important
component I believe that needs to be constantly taught by me, and
thought about by the swimmer during practice. Also, swimming
fast at swim meets is a five-step process: 1) Pre-race talk with me
2) Warm-up 3) Swim the race the way we discussed 4) Warm-down and
5) Post race talk with me. Then a swimmer can socialize.
Accomplishments
ASCA Level 3 Certified
Graduated Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 1995
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Chico State 1999
Sierra Nevada Western Zone Coach 2004-2006
Age Group Coach of the Year Sierra Nevada 2007
Karen Wedaman
Varsity, Junior 2, Gold Group Coach
Email
I have
been involved with the Vacaville Swim Club since 1988 when my
husband Andy Wedaman was hired as head coach. During that time I
have been a coach involved with all aspects of the team. Since May
2004 I have taken on the responsibility of coaching the Gold Group,
which is composed of 24 young swimmers ranging in ages from 8 to 10
years old. We practice one hour every evening.
During my
swimming career as a youth I had the privilege to learn from many
outstanding swimming coaches including Vic Cook, Ken Ketchie, and
Al Heinrich (my age group coaches), Ron Ballatore, Skip Kenney,
and, most of all, Don Gambril. I now continue to add to my
knowledge by constantly learning from the excellent coaches on our
staff as well as from many other coaches involved in this sport, as
well as attending clinics, listening to podcasts, and keeping up to
date with the latest research.
I recently
retired from UC Davis (at the end of 2006) after 18 years as a
laboratory researcher in the field of molecular and cellular
biology. I have now embarked on my next career as a teacher, having
recently taught science and biotechnology classes at Vacaville High
School. I am currently teaching science courses at Solano Community
College.
Nobuko Iwaia
Junior 1, Green, Masters Group Coach
Email
Background
I am originally from Japan and moved to Vacaville in
December 2006. I was a competitive swim team swimmer growing
up for 15 years in Japan and U.S. I graduated from Iowa State
University with Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science.
For 4 years, I was the Head Age Group coach for Kurashiki
Swimming Club in Japan. Also, I worked for Ames Cyclone
Aquatics Club in Iowa as First Assistant coach for 2 years.
At the same time, I was the assistant coach for
Iowa State Women’s swimming team. I also was the
Head Age Group coach of the Carson Tigersharks Swim Club
in Nevada for a year and a half.
Coaching
Philosophy
My coaching philosophy is to teach life skills, goal
setting, and advanced technique though swimming and/or everyday
training and swim meets. The most important thing is to have a fun
and like the swimming. The swimming will become your life
sport/fitness.
Accomplishments
ASCA Level 2 Certified
Produced Masters National Top
5 Finalist three different Age Groups, Junior National Qualifiers,
Sectional Qualifiers, Pacific Top 5 Finalist and State Record
Holders along with Junior Olympic Champions.
Zone 4 All-Star Team
coach, 2005
Sierra Nevada All-star Team
coach, 2009.
