| |
|
| |
Matthew Wunderlin - Head Coach:
Competitive Swimming Experience:
I swam for Platteville High School from 1991-1994. Then I swam for Knox College from 1994-1998, being the men’s team captain for both my junior and senior year. Following college I swam 2 years at UCLA in their Master’s Program and 1 year at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In college and since graduation I have competed in several triathlons and adventure races.
Education Experience:
1994 graduate of Platteville High School, Platteville, WI.
1998 received BA in Biochemistry from Knox College, Galesburg, IL
2000 received certification in Sports Motivation from Hypnosis Motivation Institute, Tarzana, CA
2001 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2001 Command and Control School, Keesler AFB, MS
Coaching Experience:
As captain of college team wrote and ran all off season practices. Was an assistant coach at the Tennaqua Swim and Tennis Club, Deerfield IL for the summer of 1995 and 1997. Wrote workouts for special forces swimmers at Lackland AFB summer 2001. Became assistant Orca coach in March 2006 and was elevated to associate coach in June 2006. Became head Orca coach in October of 2006 through the present. Have worked privately with Olympic hopefuls and a master’s world record holder. Additionally has taught several stroke technique clinics in Waunakee and the greater Chicago area. Recently named Wisconsin Swimming’s Diversity Chair.
Coaching Certifications and Coursework:
Became an American Swim Coach’s Association Level 2 coach in December of 2007 after completing their 5 certification schools (Foundations of Coaching, Stroke School, Physiology School, Administration School, and Leadership School). Additionally have completed the following ASCA courses: Coaching 8 and Under Swimmers, Dryland Training, and Training Age Group and Masters Swimmers. Became a USA Swimming certified coach in June 2007 after completing their coursework and required club classes. Red Cross certified in CPR for the Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Blood borne Pathogens Training, and Life guarding. Additionally, I have passed the USA Swimming background screening and an intense military background screening.
Personal Information:
I live here in Waunakee with my wonderful wife (Reka) and 3 children, Titus (3), Bryce (5), and Sierra (8). Sierra and Bryce have been members of Orcas since they were 4. My desire is to keep Orcas a team that I want my own children to be a part of.
Note from the Orca Board "Congratulations to Coach Matt for being selected as Wisconsin’s only representative for a summit at the US Olympic Training Center in November 2009.”
Gerry Palmer - Assistant Coach:
Gerald has been coaching and teaching swimming for over 40 years including the last 3 years with the Orcas. He coached Waunakee High School Boys swimming for 7 successful seasons (1988-1996). As Coach of the Warrior Men the team took second in the Badger conference with only 1 loss the entire season & this stands as the best conference season in Warrior history waiting for Orcas to help improve to #1. Gerald’s final year as Warrior Coach was capped with the first ever state qualifiers from Waunakee. He was honored to Coach Craig Laufenberg in High School and at the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta where he earned a bronze medal in the 50 meter backstroke representing USA.
He was one of the founders and served as the original President of WRAT where he did volunteer coaching with them over a 6 year period.
He swam in high school at Kenosha Tremper & then swam at Valparaiso University where he was coached and mentored by Dr Bob Collier a protégé of Dr James Counsilman of Indiana University fame, Doc Counsilman’s coaching philosophy was “By learning you will teach, by teaching you will learn.” During high school and college Gerald coached summer recreation teams in Kenosha. Gerald has this to say about being a swim coach "I coach because I love the sport and the life lessons you learn from it".
He is a USA Swimming Certified Coach, a member of the American Swim Coach Association, American Red Cross Trained in CPR/AED, Lifeguard/First Aid, Water Safety Instructor, and Safety Training for Swim Coaches. He has served our fine community as PTO President, Youth Coach in Softball, Basketball, and Waunafest Board for 10 years including 2 as President and 7 years as an elected member of the Waunakee Board of Education.
Coach Matt has this to say about Gerald “The Orcas are honored to have Gerald as a part of our program. He brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to the team. Most importantly, you can tell that he cherishes each and every child, and because of that he consistently goes above and beyond everyone’s expectations. We are very lucky to have him.”
TJ Cobb - Assistant Coach:
TJ is from Bradenton, Florida which is where he gets his care-free attitude. TJ took swimming lessons when he was very young and found he had a natural talent for the sport. Even though he TJ excelled at swimming he decided to pursue other interests such as bowling and soccer for a few years. During his senior year in high school he finally returned to swimming the sport he loves. TJ joined the high school boys swimming team when some friends asked him to be a part of the Warrior Men’s Swim Team. The following summer when Jim Lohmeier, former Waunakee High School Swim Coach started up the Orcas, TJ joined the club in addition to swimming for the Orcas TJ helped the team as an assistant coach/mentor for the younger children. When the Orcas took a break while the high school pool was remodeled TJ used that time to get his lifeguard certification and worked as a lifeguard at Savannah Village. At the same time he was accepted into the animation program at MATC. When the Orcas started back up in 2006, TJ volunteered his time as an assistant coach to help get the program going. In the fall of 2006 TJ was hired as an Assistant Coach and he has been coaching for the Orcas ever since. In 2008 TJ was the Assistant High School Men’s Coach. TJ is a USA Swimming certified coach who is continually learning and trying to advance his coaching skills. He is also the Head Lifeguard at the Waunakee Aquatics Center.
“TJ is a man of few words, but those he says are very important. He has been there for the club through thick and thin, and for that we are grateful. He strongly believes in our core values, and keeps us connected to our roots.” - Coach Matt Wunderlin
Katie Domina - Assistant Coach:
 
Katie started taking swimming lessons at the age of 4 after many years of swim lessons Katie became a competitive swimmer in 2000 when she started swimming for the Waukesha Express Swim Club where she made several appearances at state. Katie also swam as a member of the Wauwatosa West High School Swim Team for 4 years. During her time with Wauwatosa, Katie swam as a 4 year varsity member, received 2 MVP awards, was all-conference and served as Team Captain her Senior year.
During the summers of 2008 and 2009 Katie was on the Milwaukee County Lifeguard Corp where she worked as both a lifeguard and swimming instructor. Katie comes to the Orcas having worked with swimmers of all ages and experience levels. Currently Katie is student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison majoring in Secondary English Education. Coach Matt had this to say about Katie “We are excited to add Katie to the Orca family. She has a solid reputation for working with children, and will bring new ideas and energy to the program. Please join me in making her feel welcome and at home with our team.”
|
|
|
|
