They both have returned to their roots in Mission Viejo, Calif. Schubert returns for his second stint as head swim coach after serving on eight Olympic staffs for USA Swimming. Mitchell, a former Mission Viejo diver, two-time Olympian and the current president of USA Diving, returns to Mission Viejo as head diving coach.<\/p>\n
One of the most famous quotes from Wolfe\u2019s classic novel was \u201cMake your mistakes, take your chances…but keep on going…\u201d<\/p>\n
Even if Schubert and Mitchell never read that quote, they certainly embody it. Both have shown a willingness to take chances, make mistakes, learn from them and keep on going. If anybody can \u201cGo Home Again,\u201d these two aquatic giants can certainly walk back through that door.<\/p>\n
On April 7, the city of Mission Viejo celebrated the grand reopening of its Mission Viejo Marguerite Aquatics Center. These are hallowed grounds where numerous Olympic divers and swimmers\u2014dating back to the early \u201970s\u2014once trained. The city spent more than $11 million renovating the aquatic center, and with it, opened a new era and the next chapter, with Schubert and Mitchell leading the way.<\/p>\n
The renovated facility is a jewel in the fast-paced life of Southern California. The diving platforms are the only ones on the west coast of the United States that allow for synchronized diving. No expense was spared for the diving program. The renovated diving area now sports a new office, two in-ground trampolines, three dry boards, TiVo and water belts that are all under canopies.<\/p>\n
The eight-lane competition pool remains at 50 meters, with new tile lines and deep gutters. A two-sided video board separates the diving well from the competition pool. The teaching pool kept its footprint, but is now more parent- and kid-friendly. What is most striking is that the seating capacity has been extended to hold 2,000 under an impressive shade structure.<\/p>\n
On opening day, three-time Olympian Greg Louganis<\/strong>, 58, climbed to the top of the 10-meter platform and thrilled everyone with an inward dive inpike position that scored perfect 10s. Not to be outdone, 1976 Olympian and Mission Viejo City Councilman Brian Goodell<\/strong> took the first lap in the 50-meter competition pool to the delight of everyone.<\/p>\n Rowdy Gaines<\/strong> was the master of ceremonies and spoke to the packed crowd while young athletes paraded around the pool carrying flags from every country. After ceremonies, demonstrations and speeches, young children played in the water while past Olympians signed autographs.<\/p>\n What struck me most was the amount of detail that went into every aspect of the renovation, which was managed by city manager Dennis Wilberg and assistant city manager Keith Rattay<\/strong>. How they kept the project on time is a true testimonial to the relationship between city, community and athletics. It was very evident that the entire Mission Viejo community takes pride in its aquatic history.<\/p>\n When everything was said\u2014and the crowd had cleared\u2014the brightest smiles on deck were those of Mark Schubert and Michele Mitchell, who were both \u201cHome Again.\u201d<\/p>\n To learn more about the reopening of the Mission Viejo Marguerite Aquatics Center, check out the June 2018 issue of\u00a0Swimming World Magazine<\/em>, available now!<\/a><\/p>\n Take a look inside Swimming World’s June 2018 issue:<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n![\"june-2018-katie-ledecky-cover\"](\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/june-2018-katie-ledecky-cover.png\")
<\/h3>\n[PHOTO COURTESY: THE LEDECKY FAMILY]<\/h3>\n
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