News Summary
The Coronado Swim Team Elite has named Sam Hoekstra as the new Head Coach, starting August 24, 2025. Hoekstra, a former NCAA All-American, previously served as Associate Head Coach at The Race Club. With a strong emphasis on engaging practices and quality training, he aims to elevate CSTE into the top tier of USA Swimming clubs. The coaching team, backed by notable mentors, will leverage premier training facilities to enhance athlete development and foster community engagement in aquatic sports.
Coronado, California – The Coronado Swim Team Elite (CSTE) has appointed Sam Hoekstra as the new Head Coach, effective August 24, 2025. This decision concludes a comprehensive nationwide search led by acclaimed coach David Marsh, an inductee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and a four-time U.S. Olympic Coach.
Hoekstra comes to CSTE with notable credentials, including being an NCAA All-American from the University of Louisville and a former swimmer at the University of Michigan. His most recent position was Associate Head Coach at The Race Club, where he worked under renowned coach Gary Hall Sr., focusing on the technical development of elite swimmers.
With a strong background in high school and club swimming, Hoekstra previously held the position of Aquatics Director and Head Coach at both Byron Center High School and West Ottawa Swim Club in Michigan. Furthermore, he has established himself as an Elite Clinician with the Fitter & Faster Swim Tour, assisting athletes in achieving significant performance enhancements.
Hoekstra’s coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of engaging practices and quality training, fostering an environment built around curiosity and fun. This approach is well aligned with CSTE’s mission of creating a top-level swimming program.
Under Hoekstra’s leadership, CSTE aspires to position itself among the Top 10 USA Swimming clubs, focusing on developing a high-performance training environment. He will be supported by assistant coaches Jon Burkett and Anna Bai, along with administrative support from Mel Eisenhamer. Burkett, a former NC State and Michigan swimmer, aims to bring his experience to the team, while Bai has successfully integrated enjoyment with fundamentals in CSTE’s age-group program.
In addition to the core coaching staff, CSTE benefits from an extended network of distinguished coaches, including Peter Linn, Javi Sossa, Rachel Klinker, and Marko Djordjevic, all of whom are set to provide mentorship and athlete development support.
The organization’s access to premier training facilities is critical to its ambitions. CSTE utilizes the Coronado Community Aquatics Center and UC San Diego’s Canyonview Aquatic Center, both equipped with Olympic-sized pools, providing athletes with high-quality training environments.
Hoekstra’s strengths in coaching include expertise in strength and conditioning, video analytics, nutrition, and recovery, alongside a broad experience in water polo. David Marsh will remain as an advisor for CSTE, continuing his illustrious coaching legacy that encompasses numerous NCAA championships and Olympians.
CSTE offers an array of swimming opportunities, catering to various interests and skill levels. This includes pathways for collegiate, national, and international competition, recreational swimming, a Polo+ program, and open-water initiatives designed to engage a wider community in aquatic sports.
With the aim of fostering a supportive and challenging atmosphere, Coronado Swim Team Elite is committed to enhancing the aquatic sports landscape throughout Southern California, positioning itself for future success in the competitive swimming arena.
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Additional Resources
- SwimSwam: Coronado Swim Team Elite Names Sam Hoekstra Head Coach
- Wikipedia: Swimming
- Review Journal: Coronado Swimmer Eyes Another State Team Title
- Google Search: Coronado swim team
- SwimSwam: Do You Love Swimming? See 172 Swim Jobs You Might Love
- Google Scholar: Swimming Training
- Coronado Times: Coronado Swim Association Team Elite Para Swimmer Breaks American Record
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Swimming
- Air Force Falcons: Men’s Swimming Announces Freshman Class
- Google News: Swimming Coaching
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
