Conversations With Coach

In this conversation, recorded on September 24th, 2020, Coach and I talk to past swimmer and 2-time Sectional Champion in the 100 Free, Aaron Weatherholt.  Coach referred to Aaron as the "Silent Killer," and many past swimmers commented during the live session about Aaron's many attempts to skip sets when Coach wasn't looking!  Enjoy the Conversation

In this conversation, Coach and I talk to past swimmer's Michelle Heitkemper, Sally Mills, and Laurie Dreyling.  These three joined Coach in 1981, his first year at Tell City, and by the time they were Seniors, joined with Karen Ludwig, were on Coach's first state relay, the 400 Free Relay.  These three formed the base of Coach's swim program at Tell City, from lifeguarding to teaching swim lessons and future swimmers how to swim, their impact lasted for years after they left.  

In this conversation, Coach and talk to brothers Neal, Andy, Tyler, and Grant Dickman.  All four brothers swam for Coach, which practically spanned his entire career at Tell City.  Enjoy the conversation.

In this Conversation, Coach and I talk to his nieces, Teri, Jayma, and Tracy, and his daughter Tami.  Coach's nieces all swam for Jasper and he had the opportunity to watch them all compete against his team.  Enjoy the Conversation

In this conversation, Coach and I talk to another member of the 1995 and '96 Sectional Championship Teams, and 1996 Tell City Graduate, Eric Wilcher.  Eric swam the 200 and 500 freestyles all four years of high school, but during Sectional his Senior year, Coach made a surprise move and pulled him from the 500 and put him in the 100 free where he placed 3rd. We discuss this, and many other things.  Enjoy the Conversation.  

In this conversation, Coach and I talk to Kristen Mansfield, Lydia Butler, and Beth Godthaab.  These three were members of the three consecutive 1997, '98 and '99 Sectional Championship Teams, and all three got the opportunity to swim in the State Meet their Senior Year.  

Coach and I talk to three members of Tell City's record 200 and 400 Freestyle Relays and 1997 graduates, Scott Godthaab, Bryce Stath, and Jeff Simpson.

In this conversation, Coach an I talk to Steven George and Phil Simpson on the 2003 Boy's PAC Championship.  

Ryan Oberhausen and Calvin Cash, 1996 graduates, discuss being on the back to back sectional title teams and team antics they played on Coach during their four years on the team.  Enjoy the conversations.  

Coach and I talk to his past UofE teammate and past University of Hawaii swim coach Bruce Kennard on strategies to get athlete buy-in.  

In this conversation, Coach and I talk to past swim parent Cindia Ress, who had two children swim age group and high school for Coach.  Enjoy the conversation.  

In this conversation, Coach and I talk to sisters Cara and Kate Ziegelgruber.  Cara was a 2000 graduate and Kate was a 2004 from Tell City.  Enjoy the conversation. 

Coach and I talk to 1985 graduate Eric Bradley.  In 2017 he attempted to swim the English Channel solo.  Listen to his story here.  Enjoy the Conversation. 

In this conversation, Coach and I talk to 2004 Tell City graduate, Casey Rapsky.  Casey was a 3-month a year swimmer for Coach, but recently picked up the sport of triathlon.  Last year she placed 6th at Ironman Chattanooga and was only 30min from nabbing a qualifying spot for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.  In a race that's 140mi long, 30min is a fairly slim margin.  Enjoy the Conversation

In this conversation Coach and I talk to Mr. John Hayes, who has been either a boys or girls basketball coach for over 30 years.  We discuss what excellent coaching looks like in his opinion and we get into some of the major differences between approaching boys and girls when it comes to coaching.  Enjoy the conversation. 

In this episode Coach and I talk to his long time friend, co-worker, and fellow Coach, Mo Harpenau.  We discuss the qualities of a good coach, and what makes excellent Coaching.  

This episode is the audio recording from the Facebook Live event Coach and I conducted on April 30th.  I asked Coach questions from podcast listeners.  Head over to the Facebook Group, Conversations with Coach to see the video.  

This week Coach and I talked to Ryan Oberhausen. Ryan is the kid in the below picture shaving Coach’s infamous mustache after the Boy’s 1995 Sectional win. Ryan said that every time he saw Chris, Coach’s wife, after this, she thanked him! Although he only swam three months out of the year, he was on a record breaking relay, and continued to be one of Coach’s biggest supporters, attending his surprise retirement party and induction into the Tell City Hall of Fame. In this episode, we talk about Ryan’s leadership, his locker room antics, and we even try to stump Coach on “name that band.” It didn’t work.

In this Conversation, Coach and I talked to Sheena Kahle Seger. Sheena swam for Tell City’s age group program, but went to Southridge High School. If you listened to the podcast with Beth Godthaab, Sheena was the Freshman who beat Beth in 200IM her Senior year. During the summer, Sheena essentially lived at the Page’s house so her parents wouldn’t have to make the 50+min commute to/from Huntingburg.

Coach and I talked to past swimmer Davin Harpe who held the 100 Fly and 50 Free records at one time. However, Davin’s High School accomplishments are nothing compared to his career accomplishments as a Principal, where in 2016, he was recognized as the Indiana State Principal of the year, and in 2017 as a National Distinguished Principal. Davin’s 100 Fly record was broken by Drew Ettensohn, who we also have on with Davin. We talk about a number of things, including track, and male pattern baldness. We also give Drew some life insights as he’s missing the last half of his Senior year.

Coach and I talk to Abby Lawerence McKinney. Abby was on three sectional championship teams as well as State qualifying relays. Abby owns her own retail business and we talk about the obstacles she’s facing today, as well as a past crush she and other girl swimmers had on a particular boy swimmer....hint, he’s going to be on Conversations with Coach next week!

In this conversation, Coach and I talk to Ed Walsh. Ed still holds the 500yd free record. Amazingly, Coach found Ed in Freshman PE. His first time swimming the 500, he went a 6:47, four years later, he’s swimming under 5min and winning Sectional Titles.

Coach andI talk with Dave Goffinet, who was a student, a teacher, a Coach, and administrator while Coach was at Tell City.

Coach describes one of the best sectional performances he’s ever seen.

Coach and I talked to Beth Godthaab, current 200IM record holder, member of the 200 Free Relay record, past 100 Breast record holder, which she finished 8th in the State in 1999.

In this short story, Beth Godthaab discussed meeting Beth Carlson as a young swimmer. I think this shows the impact a person has, even when he or she doesn't realize it.

Coach and I talk to my teammate and friend, Nick Tharp, who at one time held the 50free record, but is still on the record board in the 200medley and 400free relays.

Coach and Bruce tell a story about how they got separated from the Team during a tour of the Queen Mary.

This is a short story of the first time Coach met Mrs. Jennifer Hall as a student.

Coach and I, we’ll mainly Coach, talks to his UofE Teammate and long time friend Bruce Kennard. There are tons of funny stories in here that left me rolling.

Coach’s friend tells a story about the team returning from a meet in Denver

In this conversation, Coach and I talk to Jennifer (Weatherholt) Hall.  Jennifer was Coach's Assistant Coach from 2001 to 2010.  During her time with the swim program, the Boys won one Conference Title and the Girls won two.  Jennifer's brother Aaron was a sprint freestyler for Tell City.  Coach tells some stories about him and about Jennifer.  Enjoy the conversation!

Coach and I talk to Tell City Swim Coach Stacy Marion on the Girl's Sectional Performance, where Coach was in attendance. She discusses some great performances, and areas where she would like to work on next year. Tell City will return to the State Championship Meet for the first time in 8 years. Enjoy the Conversation.

This is another light hearted conversation with lots of laughs between Coach, Beth (Carlson) Hibbard, and Molly (Kleaving) Pies. Beth is a Tell City Hall if Fame Member, still holding 3 TC swimming records. Today she’s a stroke analysis Coach for triathletes. Molly still holds the 500 free record and manages a household of kids. We packed a lot into this conversation, enjoy!

Coach and I talked to his UofE Coach this week, 76yr old Dr. Paul Jensen. In this light hearted conversation Coach Jensen discusses the type of swimmer and student Coach Page was, and about his visit to Tell City during the Schweitzer Fest.....it entails a lot dancing in the beer garden.

As Coach would say, “Michelle was special.” Michelle (Evrard) held so many firsts for Coach’s swimming career, she was the first state age group champion, the first to get a Junior National Cut, and the first to get a full swimming scholarship to swim at Ball State University.

This conversation is between Coach and his younger brother Rusty. The two discuss growing up in a military family, where they learned to swim, and what life was like swimming on the same teams together.

In this episode, Coach and I talk to Eric Kleaving, a member of the 1988 Boy's Sectional Championship team, and 3 time Sectional Champion in the 200 and 500 Freestyle.  Eric discusses how swimming still impacts his every day life, with endurance taking center focus.  Coach and Eric discuss some of the crazy practice sets, the Boy's 1988 upset of Castle High School, the Girl's 1988 Sectional Championship, and Tell City athletics at that time in history.  Oh, and Coach briefly talks about a job offer he received after that spectacular season.  Keep a cool head, and don't lose your form.  Enjoy the conversation!

Today we talk to Jasper Coach, Kristy Vaughn.  She shares with us some Tell City Swimming history from her unique perspective, as well as some of Jasper's traditions over the Christmas break.  I even get some advice on how to be a swimming parent, and lastly, Coach and Kristy give some advice to those Age Group Coaches just starting out.  Enjoy!

Christmas is coming, everyone get ready for the 1000 Butterfly!! This week Mr. Tim Reed, current holder to the 6 and 11 dive 1 meter records at Tell City, and long time dive coach joins me and Coach. We discuss the early stages in Coach's career at Tell City, and the traditions he instilled along the way.

This is my first conversation with Coach in over a year. After petitioning to get the Tell City Junior/Senior High School pool named in his honor, we discuss what Coaching, Family, and Tel City means to him.