The end of the 2022 boys swim season was the last year for the husband and wife coaching duo of Jamie and Kyle Ruiz, so they thought. The Ruizes were planning to retire after coaching swimming for 27 years combined to spend more time with their families.

J. Ruiz started coaching high school swimming in 2006 and then began coaching both girls and boys in 2013. J. Ruiz committed to coaching just boys swimming after the 2019 girls swim season. K. Ruiz began coaching high school swimming in 2011 and switched to just boys swimming in 2019 as well.

  While they initially planned to retire, both Ruiz coaches did not want the boys swim team to be without a coach this season. When a coach wasn’t found,  J. Ruiz made the decision to come back as “the kids work too hard to not have a season because there was no coach available.” K. Ruiz felt excited about returning saying, “It is a huge time commitment but I am excited to be involved in another season.”

  Many of the swimmers felt a multitude of feelings about the coaching changes that were to take place.

  Swimmer Jack Graves explains, “When I first heard they were leaving, it was just a combination of disappointment and understanding.” The athletes were understanding when they originally heard their two coaches planned to step down but many, including Graves, were relieved when he learned his coaches decided to return for another year. 

  Graves claimed, “The worry that I had going into the new swim season seemed to diminish completely.” 

  Graves admires his coaches as they “always bring a level of energy to practice and meets that I have never seen replicated by any coach I’ve had besides them.” 

  Junior swimmer Peter Garland said, “The coaches bring a great sense of leadership and determination to get our team to be the best it can be.” Garland is thrilled for the coaches coming back to lead the team to a great season.  

  The boys swim team is grateful to have their experienced and caring coaches for a another year.