Having a new coach means initiation time, so Neil Virtue's arrival as Flathead's new swimming coach in early January predictably produced a big splash. The swim team members threw him in the pool the week of his arrival.
"I think they're an outstanding group of kids," said Virtue. "I think they need to work on their practical jokes, though."
Virtue arrived to the Flathead Valley from Tempe, Ariz. He will work together with longtime coach Paul Stelter until the state swim meet in February. Then, Stelter will start coaching the younger swim team and Virtue will coach the high school students.
Virtue was a swim coach in Tempe, Ariz., before coming to Flathead, and has also coached in Seattle, Wash. He's coached four junior national qualifiers, and has also coached five of the fastest teenage swimmers in the U.S. Virtue said he hopes to carry on the FHS tradition of producing state champions for swimmers.
"When I first saw Neil, I thought 'hey, he's young, male, not to be sexist or anything, and he just looks like a cool guy,'" said swim team member junior Chris Hetrick. "When he started practice, he turned out to be a good and fun coach. I think he'll be great."
"I think it will be hard to adjust for awhile because we are so used to Paul and how we joke with him," said swim team member junior Chelsea Edwards. "Overall, it will be a good thing."
Added junior Amanda Hartmann, "He's confident in his coaching and excited to be here. The kids are really excited, too."
According to swim team member junior Kristin Rygg, practices have been harder, but fun as well. Virtue seems to be pushing the swim team harder.
"I think he's going to bring new excitement because he's a new coach," said Rygg. "We love Paul, but it's different. It's a new attitude and everyone has it."
"There aren't many people doing what I've been trained to do, so I'm excited," said Virtue.
"The first practice we had with him he made us do it over because we stopped," said Rygg. "He's trying to combine working hard with fun."
Said Virtue: "It's going to be hard to fill Paul Stelter's shoes because he's kind of a legend around here from what I understand, but I'm going to try."