By Jamie Fuse, Swimming World Contributor
Northern State University head coach Elyce Kastigar is known for her hard work, a giving attitude, and her team of well-respected athletes. Kastigar is positive and pushes her athletes to be a better person in the pool and out.
Striving for Greatness
Kastigar was a four-time NCAA championship qualifier and continues to put forth her best to attain her goals in the coaching realm. She has been coaching the swim team at Northern State University for eight years. Kastigar is always trying to teach her athletes is to make a positive impact with all things they do in life.
“Leave a positive lasting footprint that can help others today and into the future,” Kastigar says. “I’d like them to learn life skills that I believe can come directly from the sport. Also I would like them recognize that life is not all about them — that each of them can make a difference in the lives of others.”
Kastigar wants her athletes to know they are all making an impact. It takes a team and not just one swimmer. According to Northern athlete, Eliza Jacobs, Elyce is more than just a coach to her athletes; she cares about you like a second mother.
“I want them to see that I am here to guide them in more than just swimming,” Kastigar said. “This sport affects so much of life beyond the pool. I want to be supportive, encouraging, provide a positive environment, and also set a standard for high expectations.”
Positive Mind and Everything’s Fine
Photo Courtesy: Northern.edu
Every swimmer has those moments when they struggle to stay positive. It’s one thing that every coach counsels at least one athlete through during their season. I have seen how coach Kastigar fully supports her swimmers, especially when she can tell they are having a bad day of racing.
It’s important for an athlete to keep a positive mindset, but equally so for the coaches.
“I try to stay positive myself and rally the team captains to help with keeping a positive and motivating environment,” Kastigar says. “I try to be in tune with how the team looks and acts overall, and maybe give a practice off or allow the athletes to leave for home a day early on the holidays. Small things like this seem to make a big difference, yet have small impact on performance.”
A Growing Passion
Northern State Universities swim team is growing more and more both athletically and in numbers. NSU had a total of eleven competing athletes at their conference this year. Many of the girls qualified for finals, five school records were broken, and every athlete had best times. Kastigar’s team performed well in the pool, and in the classroom.
“I am proud of the hard work that our athletes put into all they do — not just what happens in the pool,” Kastigar said. “They care about the outcome and are passionate about what they do.”
Dear, sweet Elyce beat most of the boys during her age-group years and I am proud to say, at one time, I was one of them!