Sports
Dekker Named MAC Diving Coach Of The Year
By: Abbey Carnivale
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After completing his tenth year at Ohio University, diving coach Russ Dekker has been honored with the 2013-14 Mid-American Conference Diving Coach of the Year.
“It’s a privilege, it’s an honor,” said Dekker, according to ohiobobcats.com. “I have four great kids, four talented divers, four hard-workers that really care about being a Bobcat.”
His squad of Kristin Capcik, MaryRose Hillstrom, Morgan Srail, and Haleigh Bartlett was dismantled after a small hiccup in practice when one of his divers was involved in an accident, but he managed to keep everything on track and still produce a successful season.
“He’s really kind of like a friend to us, but also he’s a really hard coach,” said Morgan Srail, according to ohiobobcats.com.
Srail is Dekker’s most recent success story, after she placed first in the 3-meter dive competition at this year’s MAC Tournament.
Dekker isn’t one to get in his athletes’ faces. He uses a relaxed practice environment to promote productivity and has found it the best method to get positive results from his athletes.
Although this award honors Dekker and his hard work, he can’t help but credit his athletes for the success.