By Rachel Ewart, Swimming World College Intern
This year, Ouachita Baptist University had a season of renovation. The school hired a new coach and the team bonded tremendously as they began to lay the foundation for future generations.
Starting Fresh
Former swimmer and Ouachita alumni Steven Bostick was welcomed on deck last spring as OBU’s new head swimming and diving coach. Although the team was on the small side to begin with, Bostick knew there was a challenge in front of him that he was willing to take on.
“There was a lot of pressure coming into this position as a coach since OBU’s swim program has seen great success in the past,” Bostick says. “When I came in as a coach last year, the girls team had very few swimmers, so we had our backs against the wall to begin with.”
However, regardless of the limited number of athletes, the season went well on the women’s side as their potential was demonstrated through frequent improvements and optimistic attitudes.
“We had to stay positive even though we knew we were going into losing situations. The end goal was to finish the year with best times, great effort and amazing swims that will help launch this program’s future,” says Bostick.
Photo Courtesy: Wesley Kluck
Strengthening the Team Foundation
Although Ouachita’s swim program had fewer athletes than the average year, there was a new dynamic that the team adopted.
“Getting a new coach had a huge impact on the way our team has bonded, how we interact and how we’ve trained,” junior Emily Grigsby says. “Bostick brought a strong work ethic as a coach and more of a family feel to the team because he encourages us to give our teammates second chances and be present in each other’s lives.”
Grigsby believes that the relationships she’s made on this team are the friendships she will always cherish. As her senior year approaches, Grigsby looks forward to demonstrating leadership towards the underclassmen and teaching them both new and old traditions.
A few of Ouachita’s team traditions include secret sisters, an annual float trip, a swimmers’ campout and team movie nights. There have also been several new traditions formed such as snow swimming, Christmas training trip to the beach and the spring swim banquet.
“The upperclassmen have really stepped it up in terms of leadership. We have so many different types of personalities, but yet we can all get along which is great,” Grigsby mentions.
Freshmen Courtney McDiarmid agrees with Grigsby on the women’s team dynamics. The upperclassmen helped McDiarmid become more outgoing as they promoted encouragement and attending team-bonding events throughout the season.
“Coming from a small high school, it was nice being welcomed onto the smaller team atmosphere with some amazing girls,” McDiarmid says. “On a larger team I feel that you don’t have as much one-on-one time with your coach and you don’t genuinely get to know others as well, but we were able to do a lot more and become closer as a swimming family since we were smaller and I enjoyed that.”
The majority of the women’s team saw overall improvement in their times this season, which was a rewarding experience.
Photo Courtesy: Emily Grigsby
Christmas Training Trip
This season’s Christmas training trip was an experience the women’s team will never forget. The girls bonded through a nine-hour van ride, trained hard together and also got to enjoy the beach in Pensacola, Florida.
Though only nine of the 11 girls went on training trip, they became close to their coach and developed confidence in his coaching abilities.
“I believe athletes want to see that their coaches are personable- there is a fine line between that and being an authority figure on the pool deck,” Bostick says. “I think there is a lot of trust that’s been developed between myself and the women’s team. Everyone is looking forward to what we can do next year.”
During the end of the trip, the girls gave Bostick the nickname dad, also known as “Papa Bostaff” and later on developed the idea of “the nine daughters.”
“During the training trip, we found that coach wants to have sons in the future, but we had to let him know that he already has nine daughters right here!” McDiarmid says.
Photo Courtesy: Cody Osborn
Next Season
Through this past year, the foundation has been laid for the next batch of incoming freshmen. The women’s team should have a strong backstroke and freestyle crew this coming Fall. The team still has spots to be filled, but Bostick has done an excellent job actively searching for more talented athletes to join the program.
With all the hard work, dedication and time spent on swimming, Bostick affirms that having a fun is an important factor in this program.
“Having fun is probably my number one priority for the team,” Bostick states. “I think so many athletes leave swimming with a bad taste in their mouth due to coaches, other swimmers or even their parents. But you can still work hard and enjoy yourself.”
Photo Courtesy: Wesley Kluck
Way to go, Steven!
Nicely written article! We look forward to cheering you on next year – and fully anticipate that Sierra will dominate snow swimming!