Leaving an impact in the pool

Published 7:33 pm Sunday, March 13, 2016

The Albert Lea girls’ swimming team took third place as a team in November after the finals of the Class A state meet at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. Jon Schmitz, pictured center front row, resigned as the girls’ head coach at the end of the season. – Micah Bader/Albert Lea Tribune

Albert Lea swimming coach resigns after long, successful career

By Barbara Boxleitner

The time was right for a change.

So thought Albert Lea High School girls’ swimming coach Jon Schmitz going into the 2015-16 season.

In fact, the longtime coach said he informed Afton Wacholz, the high school’s activities director, before the season of his plan to resign. The 55-year-old Schmitz officially resigned as coach after the season ended, yet remains a physical education teacher at the school.

“My priorities have changed,” said Schmitz, an Albert Lea graduate who was inducted in 2014 to the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. “It was time. (Coaching is) a tremendous time commitment.”

Schmitz has been at the school since 1987 and has been at the helm for the boys’ and girls’ teams. His boys’ teams were especially successful during the 1990s, when they won six Big Nine Conference titles. The Tigers’ dual meet winning streak during that decade reached 62.

“That was a fun thing,” said Schmitz, whose boys’ team added a conference title in 2003. “The kids took a lot of pride in that.”

He resigns after leading the girls’ team to the conference title in October, and to a third-place finish at the state tournament in November.

“This year was pretty memorable,” he said.

Among the standouts was senior Lindsey Horejsi, who has committed to swim for the University of Minnesota. Schmitz’s first state champion, Horejsi holds the high school national record in the short course 100-yard breaststroke and has qualified for the Olympic trials in the 100 and 200 breaststroke.

“She will be the best swimmer to come out of Albert Lea,” Schmitz said.

Wacholz cited Schmitz’s presence — particularly as a leader — from accomplished swimmer to decorated coach.

“He’s definitely had an impact as both our boys’ and girls’ coach,” she said.

Schmitz said he has sustained his coaching career because of his commitment to the sport and the school.

“You do that because you love the sport and because you love working with the kids,” he said. “I just really enjoy the teaching of the sport.”

Joey Clapp — who is the boys’ head swimming coach and has been Schmitz’s assistant coach for the girls’ team the last few seasons — will succeed Schmitz as the girls’ head coach, Wacholz said. Schmitz said he might still serve as the boys’ assistant coach.