Q&A with
Coach Adam Epstein
Since their NAIA Championships debut three years ago, the Keiser men have finished third, first and first. The women have placed 13th, fifth and second. In 2019, his men garnered eight individual and five relay team national titles… and also had 20 individual All-America recognitions. The Seahawk women’s numbers also were impressive: one individual, two relay team national championships…and 14 individual All-America honors.
Let’s have a chat with the man who helped pioneer the team: Head Coach Adam Epstein
Q. SWIMMING WORLD: What got you started in swimming?
A. COACH ADAM EPSTEIN: My mom was a coach for my club and high school team. I tell people she got tired of chasing me around the pool deck and threw me in. I joined the club team when I was 5.
SW: What was your motivation to move from NJCAA powerhouse Indian River State College to Keiser?
AE: I owe everything to The River. My wife is from West Palm Beach, and the ability/challenge to start a team from scratch was a no-brainer for me!
SW: What were your major challenges in starting a program from scratch?
AE: I was hired in April to start a team in August, so there was not a lot of time to throw things together. That first year’s class was so much fun to coach, but there were ups and downs. The difficulty lies in trying to bring in student-athletes who fit the team culture you are trying to establish. Looking back, I feel we were successful in doing what we needed to do and making the necessary decisions to ensure the success of the program’s future.
To read our full interview with Coach Adam Epstein,
check out the April 2019 issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!
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FEATURES
016 2018 TOP 12 WORLD MASTERS SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
by Dan D’Addona, David Rieder and Taylor Brien
022 A CUT ABOVE THE REST
by Michael Randazzo
Despite Jovan Vavic’s stunning eviction from Troy, USC and Stanford remain the teams to beat at this year’s NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championships in May. The Trojans beat the Cardinal 5-4 last year at their home pool, but Stanford will play host to the NCAA’s top teams in 2019. In the past nine years, Stanford has captured five national titles, with USC winning four—including two of the last three.
026 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
by Michael Randazzo
Paola Dominguez-Castro, a high school junior living in Hialeah, Fla.—and considered one of the most impressive young water polo talents in the country—has the opportunity to break free of the environment that has both sustained and developed that talent, and become an example for others who might aspire to greater success.
030 THE GREATEST SWIM IN HISTORY
by Bruce Wigo
At the 1965 AAU Short Course Nationals, a capacity crowd of 3,000 thought they had just seen “the greatest swim in history.” They cheered wildly for FIVE MINUTES after Steve Clark had broken the 46-second barrier in the 100 yard freestyle with a 45.6. After watching Caeleb Dressel’s three barrier-breaking swims at last year’s NCAAs—and believing that Dressel can swim even faster—Clark, now 75, believes “the greatest swim in history has yet to happen.”
034 NUTRITION: AROUND THE TABLE WITH MICHIGAN LAKESHORE AQUATICS
by Dan D’Addona and Dawn Weatherwax
COACHING
010 LESSONS WITH THE LEGENDS: TAMAS SZECHY
by Michael J. Stott
014 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: CONDITIONING TO OPTIMIZE TECHNIQUE (Part 1)
by Rod Havriluk
038 WHAT COACHES CAN LEARN FROM SWIMMERS (Part 2)
by Michael J. Stott
This is the second of a two-part series in which Swimming World shares epiphanies from coaches whose athletes fundamentally altered their coaching philosophy. Last month’s article dealt with the individuality of swimmers. This month, coaches discuss the importance of feedback.
040 SPECIAL SETS: IM TRANSITION SETS
by Michael J. Stott
Ken Heis, head coach of the Mason (Ohio) Manta Rays, has a studied approach to IM training, honed by experimentation and experience. Here the four-time Ohio Swimming Coach of the Year shares some sample IM transition sets.
043 Q&A WITH COACH ADAM EPSTEIN
by Michael J. Stott
044 HOW THEY TRAIN :LUKAS MACEK
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
013 DRYSIDE TRAINING: EXERCISE EQUIPMENT SERIES—TRX SUSPENSION STRAPS
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
036 GOLDMINDS: LESSONS ABOUT LOSING
by Wayne Goldsmith
046 UP & COMERS: NATALIE MANNION
by Taylor Brien
COLUMNS
008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
009 BEYOND THE YARDS
025 MOMS AT MEETS
029 DID YOU KNOW? ISHOF/MASTERS HALL OF FAMERS
047 GUTTER TALK
048 PARTING SHOT