Coaches & Directors
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We are here to support
your needs. If your questions are related to workouts, meets,
events, goal setting, and other swimming related needs, please
contact the lead squad coach for your child. All Billing
related questions please contact our administrative
assistant.
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| Coaching Staff |
Joshua Norek
Head Age Group Coach
Josh began competitively swimming at the age of 7 for the Belvidere YMCA and continued to do so until he was 18. During his career he was a district champion, regional champion, state finalist, and swimmer of the year During high school he was named Varsity Captain for Rockford Christian School's Swim Team. While in high school he got his first experience as a swim coach as the Head Coach for Resa Middle School and Head Coach for Marengo Park District.. After graduating Josh began Coaching as an Assistant Coach / Lead Assistant Coach for the Belvidere Barracudas for 6 years. While coaching he also attended RVC and graduated with an Associates Degree in Fire Science. When not on the deck he is a Firefighter / Paramedic.
"Coaching for DCST has been an amazing experience. We have a really great program! From the facility to Management to my AWESOME Assistant Coaches. It has been a blast getting to know so many talented young people. It is truly an honor to help guide them towards obtaining their goals and dreams."
Thomas Slater
Lead Great Dane Coach
Coach Tom started competitively swimming in the 1900s at the age of 6 for the Sauk-Prairie Pool Sharks in Wisconsin. He was a 4 year letter winner in swimming at Freeport High School in Illinois, and was co-captain of the team his senior year. He did not swim competitively in college, but stayed active in the water through water polo and synchronized swimming at the club level. He began coaching with DCST as an assistant coach in January of 2014. When he’s not on deck, Coach Tom spends time with his family and teaches computer skills at Northbrook Middle School in Mendota, IL. Tom is the only member of his family to not attend Iowa State University.
“It’s called radio, I can’t pick and choose the songs… now go swim.”
Casey Beckley.
Assistant Coach
Casey began swimming when he was 10 years old until he hung up his goggles after his freshman year at NIU. During that time, he competed at State and Regional Championship meets. Casey then coached for DCST as a college student, as well as serving as a Head Coach for the Bloomingdales Barracuda swim team. Besides being a husband and father of three, Casey has run over 20 marathons, holding a Boston qualifying time since 2014. Casey is a business partner with his wife in a Nutrition consulting home business. When he’s not running or at practice, Casey leads the students and staff at Mooseheart Child City as their Campus Pastor
Owen Bockman.
Assistant Coach
Owen is a Junior at Sycamore High School. He enjoys participating in a whole bunch of different clubs and is active in our community. During Owen’s swimming career he has been varsity since freshman year on the Sycamore/ DeKalb Co-op team. Currently he still swims for DCST and has been coach for about a year. “I enjoy it very much. I enjoy teaching younger swimmers and it brings back memories from when I was younger.” Currently Owen has not decided what college he would like to attend but is looking forward to that journey.
Tim Braun.
Assistant Coach
Tim started swimming on DCST in the summer of 2011. He has enjoyed swimming on DCST for the friends he has made and the lessons he has learned. Tim also swam on the Dekalb and Sycamore High School Co-op Swim Team for the past two years. Tim’s favorite event is the 200 Freestyle. “I enjoy coaching because I get to know more kids on the team.”
Grace Flemming.
Assistant Coach
Grace has been swimming for DCST for the past 12 years. Her favorite events are the 200 freestyle and the 100 back. “I really enjoy coaching the younger groups and not only improving their skills, but getting to know the rest of my team”. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate with cookie dough.
Linda Kocjan.
Assistant Coach
Linda grew up in DeKalb, and began swimming on DCST at the age of 5, and continued on the team for the majority of 8 years, through 8th grade. Fast forward to many years and 2 kids later, and shortly after her daughter joined the swim team, she decided it might be fun to encourage other kids through coaching. Although new at the time to coaching swimming, Linda has been working with kids through teaching and coaching Color Guard at Sycamore High School from 2008-2018. Linda is the proud swim mom to Alissa and Deegan. When not on deck at the pool, she is working at the Kishwaukee College Workforce Development office or training with her dogs, Chase and Henry.
Mikala Kurzbuch.
Assistant Coach
Mikala is a Physical education major at NIU with a minor in health education and coaching. She is very excited to be apart of the DCST program and gain some hands on experience. Growing up she has always loved the water and swimming. Her swimming career began during her junior year at Woodstock High School, and feel in love with the sport. Even though she only competitively swam for two years, it was the best two years she ever experienced. Mikala’s favorite events were the 100 breaststroke and short course freestyle.
“My favorite part about coaching at the YMCA is building a coach/swimmer relationship with all the kids and getting to see the kids out at my clinical's for class. I also really enjoy the great team of coaches i have around me that i know i can go to at any time and ask them for advice or get their help coaching something i'm not experienced in.”
David Ruetten.
Assistant Coach
David is currently a junior at Sycamore High School on track to graduate in 2020,
He’s been on the DCST since he was 7 and has loved swimming ever since. Currently David swim’s on DCST’s National Team, and has also competed at the State, Age Group, and Zone levels. Outside of DCST he also swims on the Dekalb-Sycamore Coop High School Swim Team, has competed in 3 sectional meets and was a captain this past year. David started coaching last summer and has goals of continuing his swimming career in college. “DCST is my second family. Everyone is super close and get along super well. I love spending time with the team and teaching younger kids the sport I love.”
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