Swimming World Presents – Q&A with Somerset Hills YMCA Coach Lori Riegler

Coach Lori Riegler with swimmer (and daughter) Meredith Riegler

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Q&A with Somerset Hills YMCA Coach Lori Riegler

By Michael J. Stott

Since her arrival in 2015, Lori Riegler has propelled Somerset Hills YMCA swimmers to a national team championship; junior, senior and Olympic Trials qualification; and USA Swimming recognition as a Silver Medal club.

Lori Riegler’s current team members hold 12 individual and relay New Jersey state records. Her Somerset Hills YMCA boys’ team won the 2019 YMCA Short Course National Championships and placed third at the long course Y-Nats.

CREDENTIALS
• University of Toledo, B.S., exercise science, 1998; M.S., public health, 2000
• Graduate assistant, University of Toledo, 1997-98
• Head coach, Somerset Hills YMCA, 2015-present
• Head coach, director of competitive swimming, Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA, 2006-15
• Head coach, Princeton High School (Cincinnati, Ohio), 2005-08
• Head coach, St. Ursula Academy (Toledo, Ohio), 1998-2001
• 2019 ASCA Coach of the Year nominee
• ASCA Level 5

Q. SWIMMING WORLD: What was it about swimming that drew you to the sport?
A. COACH LORI RIEGLER: I started summer league at age 7 and began swimming year-round two years later with the Powel Crosley, Jr. YMCA in Cincinnati. We were a small, fun team that did a lot of social activities. My love for swimming came from Coach Mike Leonard. He created an environment where everyone was made to feel important no matter their ability.

SW: And then to coach?
LR: My first taste of coaching came as the graduate assistant at the University of Toledo. Then for three years I coached St. Ursula Academy in Toledo before moving out of state. Since finishing grad school, I have continued to coach. I can’t imagine doing anything else.

SW: Any major influences along the way?
LR: Mike Leonard was enthusiastic, caring and firm with each of us. I wanted to be like that. He wasn’t a dictator, but he engaged with us and got us to perform. A lot of how I interact with my athletes I learned from him. I have also learned from a lot of other great coaches.
Actually, most of my best memories are of my coaches and the support and encouragement they provided. They helped mold me into the person and coach I am today.

SW: You have coached high school, club, and YMCA swimming. Why still the Y?
LR: I started and developed my love for the sport at the Y. My passion for coaching began with high school swimming before I migrated to club swimming. Each stop helped me grow as a coach. The Y’s have allowed me to create a team of which I am proud. I have been fortunate to work with talented coaches who share my vision and passion to help athletes become the best they can be.

To read our full Q&A with coach Lori Riegler,
check out the November 2020 issue of Swimming World Magazine.
Click here to download now!

[PHOTO CREDIT: CONNOR TRIMBLE]

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Swimming World Magazine November 2020 Issue

FEATURES

010 OPEN WATER SWIMMERS OF THE DECADE (2010-19)
by Andy Ross
Since the COVID-19 pandemic prevented Swimming World from naming Open Water Swimmers of the Year for 2020, the magazine, instead, takes a look at the top marathon athletes over the last 10 years.

015 HIGHLIGHTING ISHOF’S 1980 OLYMPIC EXHIBIT
by Bruce Wigo
As we mark the 40th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Games, much has been written and discussed about the impact on the athletes who were denied the opportunity to compete in Moscow. Lost in most of these discussions is the significance of the boycott to the Olympic movement, which is why, in 2014, the International Swimming Hall of Fame made it the subject of one of the largest permanent exhibits in its museum.

018 OLYMPIC HISTORY WITHIN REACH
by David Rieder
Despite the global pandemic, the Olympic postponement and a coaching change, Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri put together some of the best swimming of his career last summer in the 800 and 1500 meter freestyle as well as the 10K marathon. Come Tokyo 2021, he’ll be trying to become the first swimmer ever to capture Olympic gold in both the pool and open water events.

021 STILL SWIMMING STRONG
by Dan D’Addona
Throughout Allison Schmitt’s illustrious swimming career, the three-time Olympian and eight-time Olympic medalist has experienced success and has dealt with her share of struggles. Now 30, she remains goal-oriented and continues to be one of the world’s elite athletes.

026 THE TRUE OLYMPIC SPIRIT
by John Lohn
Pierre de Coubertin developed the Olympic motto that stressed athletic prowess, but he also said, “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part.” That description fit Eric the Eel Moussambani perfectly when he swam all by himself in Heat 1 of the men’s 100 meter freestyle at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and finished in slightly less than two minutes!

COACHING

012 TOUGHEST WORKOUTS (Part 1)
by Michael J. Stott
Here’s a painful—but productive—sampling from yesteryear of some coaches’ toughest workouts ever.

036 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: DEVELOPMENT OF AN OPTIMAL MODEL FOR TECHNIQUE: PART IX—BODY BASE OF SUPPORT FOR BACKSTROKE
by Rod Havriluk
An optimal backstroke body base of support (BOS) depends on first mastering a level torso and then mastering torso rotation. An optimal BOS facilitates the arm motion to maximize propulsion.

038 SPECIAL SETS: A REALLY SPECIAL SET
by Michael J. Stott
Nov. 21, 1975: Mike Bruner’s 100 x 100 on 1:00!

042 Q&A WITH COACH LORI RIEGLER
by Michael J. Stott

043 HOW THEY TRAIN JACK ALEXY AND MEREDITH RIEGLER
by Michael J. Stott

TRAINING

035 DRYSIDE TRAINING: LET’S RACE
by J.R. Rosania
With COVID-19 being managed somewhat and new protocols being put in place, racing is slowly coming back. Here are some exercises that will help get your body ready to race.

JUNIOR SWIMMER

046 UP & COMERS: ALANA BERLIN
by Shoshanna Rutemiller

COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS

008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT

014 DID YOU KNOW: ABOUT HYDROMANIA?

029 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

045 THE OFFICIAL WORD

047 GUTTERTALK

049 PARTING SHOT

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