The VAC story
WHY SWIM?
Swimming is one of the finest aerobic activities. It builds
flexibility and strength. Swimming is the most injury free of all
youth sports. But the more important part of swimming competitively
is that the process builds a stronger, positive sense of self. Our
young swimmers learn attitudes and solid work habits which will
serve them well as adults.
OUR HISTORY
The Verona Aquatic Club (VAC) was founded as a USS team in 1979 by
a group of Verona parents when the Verona Natatorium was built. In
fact, members of the early club were prime movers in establishing
the Natatorium. The club’s purpose was to provide a
competitive swimming experience for youth in the Verona School
District. Since that time, the club has broadened it’s
mission to include a much larger community. Currently there are
swimmers from four different school districts represented on the
team. While the club continues to train at Verona, other pools in
the Madison area are also utilized.
By the early 90’s VAC became recognized as one of
Wisconsin’s finest programs, by virtue of its National Age
group Champions, Wisconsin State champions and records. In 1993 VAC
broke onto the National scene, sending athletes to Junior and
Senior National competitions. In 1996 VAC was represented at the
U.S. Olympic trials.
U.S. SWIMMING
VAC is a club member of United States Swimming (USS), the National
governing body for competitive swimming in the United States. U.S.
Swimming’s Vision is: “To inspire and enable our
members to achieve excellence in the sport of swimming and in
life.” VAC is insured through USS and competes in USS
sanctioned meets throughout the region.
VAC TESTIMONIALS
Do you have fond memories you would like to share about our
club? Is there someone you would like to recognize that
influenced you while swimming for VAC? How about current
swimmers? Would you like to share your enthusiasm on this
page? Parents are welcome to write in and tell us what this
club has meant to you, your family, your swimmer. We would
like to hear about it and post it right here! Please email
Marsha Olson with your testimonial to be added to this page.
Email: msojro@aol.com
KRISTIN
MATHSON
Hello,
My name is Kristin Mathson and I swam with VAC from 1993-2004 and
came back to swim during college breaks from 2004-2008.
When I started swimming with VAC I was seven
years old and I don’t think I had any idea what I was getting
myself into. I fell in love with the sport and the team and
continued swimming with VAC until my senior year of high school. My
coaches and teammates at VAC were constantly pushing me to achieve
more, and have fun while doing it. Randy’s dedication to my
teammates and I made it much easier to complete challenging
practices. He was always there pacing the pool deck during
practices and races, and giving us feedback on our stroke
technique. Along with hard work, VAC has taught me the importance
of teamwork, dedication, and time management. I went on to swim at
Macalester College, where these lessons helped me succeed in and
out of the pool. During breaks from college, it was nice to know
that the door at VAC was always open for me to come back and
continue practicing and get some extra stroke help from Randy. I am
very grateful to Randy, VAC, and all of my teammates for making my
time with the team such a positive experience.
Sincerely,
Kristin Mathson
JEFF
BRIDWELL
VAC taught me the important
life values of commitment and dedication. I also remember the
camaraderie I had with my teammates and the lifelong bonds I formed
with them. I was only on VAC for about a year but I am still in
touch with many of the guys and girls I swam with.
Jeff
Bridwell
NEIL
WALKER (Two-time Olympian 2000 & 2004 - 2
Gold, 1 Silver, 1 bronze)
Stated in the 2008 Mutual of
Omaha GOLD MEDAL TEAM booklet -
Most Influentual
People "Coaches, Randy Trowbridge and Eddie Reese
because they pushed me even when I didn’t want to be
pushed".
NEIL
OSTEN
I have many good memories from swimming with
VAC whether it be playing "Butts Up" on the Nat wall before
practice, having pool parties over at the Frohmader’s (Mel,
I’m still sorry about breaking your nose!), using kickboards
as goals for water polo, setting state records or having the chance
to swim with an Olympian. While all of those things are great
memories, the greatest thing that I gained while swimming with VAC
were the fantastic people that I met along the way and the
life-long friends that I will keep regardless of time spent apart.
Even after everyone went their separate ways after high school, we
can still have a VAC reunion and have a great time reminiscing
about the goofy things we did when we were, and in some cases,
still are, kids. Part of my success today was shaped by being a
swimmer with VAC as I always had good role models to look up to and
was always encouraged to improve myself both in and out of the
water.
Neil Osten
MIKE
HRUSKA
I have swum with a number of completely
different teams. One team emphasized the fun one
can experience through swimming as a social
activity. One team emphasized the fun one can
experience through swimming toward a common team
goal. VAC showed me the real fun, being that
which lasts far more than an instant, is through trying your best;
thus leading to a potential fully realized and results one never
thought possible. With that being said, my
camaraderie and respect towards my friends at VAC has always been
much greater than I think I could have ever gained through the
other types of teams, and even the other sports that I played which
focused more on the social and team aspects. I
attribute this to the hard work, personal growth, and
accomplishments that we were put through individually, and
experienced together.
Mike Hruska
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