On Friday I received an email stating there was a change in scoring of Thursday's Dover at South Western girls' swimming and diving meet.
It seems that two of the host Mustangs ended up swimming the 100 freestyle in the wrong lanes because of what South Western coach Bill Sterner said was an entry mistake that he made.
The rules state that when that happens both swimmers are disqualified, only in this case the lost points reversed the outcome of the meet and what was originally a 96-88 South Western victory now has Dover getting the win, 93-91.
But here is the incredible part of the story: This error was brought to the my attention by Sterner (pictured below) himself.
Of course, this doesn't surprise me in the least.
Being the primary swimming writer (or swimming geek as some of my coworkers call me), I have known Sterner since 1991. He is one of the classiest people I know.
Dover coach Rich Janosky said he was surprised when he got the email from Sterner regarding the change, but he wasn't surprised at all that Sterner did it.
"That is Bill Sterner," Janosky said. "When we were at the meet it is so nice to go over and shake hands with him and smile. It is great competition with a great guy. His kids are wonderful kids."
Janosky also said that Sterner sets a great example, especially in today's me-first sports world.
"These are things that others don't see in athletics," he said. "These are the things that kids can learn a valuable lesson from. What goes around comes around. It is a karma."
In fact, Janosky informed his Eagles team at the hotel they were staying at before competing in Western Pennsylvania. He did it in style by calling a meeting with both his girls and boys teams.
"I got the team together at the hotel and they were all concerned," Janosky said. "I read them word for word the email Bill sent and they were like, 'What a great guy.'"
This is not to say that the other swim coaches in the YAIAA would not have done the same thing. I am quite sure that as long as they noticed the mistake, they would have done the same thing.
And that is what makes this sport special.
Yes, high school swimming flies under the radar. It certainly doesn't get the attention that football, basketball and wrestling get.
And this is not to say that those sports don't have some great people in it. They do, particularly at the high school level.
But what people don't realize is the work that gets put in by the coaches and the swimmers -- both the stand-outs and average kids.
Yes, swimmers weight train and stretch like other athletes, but seriously, can you imagine swimming 10,000 yards over the course of one practice?
Back and forth. Up and down the same pool usually in the same lanes. It's repetitive, redundant and downright hard and these kids do that darn near everyday.
The hard work and sportsmanship from people like Bill Sterner are the reasons I am proud to be the office "swimming geek."
My children have been swimming for ( Age group and H.S.)Coach Sterner since 1995. Coach Sterner has been a great influence on them. He always puts honesty and fairness first. He inspires his swimmers and treats them with respect. He guides them to become leaders and to commit to the team effort. Currently I have a senior boy and freshmen girl on the team. When Coach told them that He had made a mistake and the score would change....of course they took it hard but they both realize that Coach did the right thing. In all the years they have known him...Coach has always done the right....He never has taken advantage of a situation and more often than not He corrects them and makes sure all teams are treated fairly. Thank you for your article Steve...its to bad our local paper in Hanover doesnt cover S.W. swimming as well as you appaerntly do.
Ken,
Thanks for the personal comments. I have had the pleasure to be around most of the swim coaches in the YAIAA and most are great people. Sterner is the eptiomy of an honest, caring coach. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and wish your children well. Happy holidays.
I swam for Coach Sterner for more than 10 years from the age group teams through the duration of my high school career. I cannot think of an individual outside of my parents that had as big of an influence on my life as he has. He truly is a class act and he not only provided fitness but true guidance through my adolescence and helped me gain the discipline required to get me through my early adult years. Not only did he make me a good swimmer, but, in my opinion, he helped make me a better person. I really should tell him, myself, of the impact that he's had on my life. I am sure that I am not alone, either. Bravo for Coach for doing the right thing, as always.
Rob,
Your words said it all. Coaches like Bill Sterner are the reason I enjoy covering high school swimming. Thanks for your input. Best wishes for safe and healthy holiday season.