Linn-Mar turns to experienced co-head coaches in girls’ swimming

MARION — Simply put, Tom Belin just could not say no.

After a successful run coaching the Linn-Mar boys’ swimming team, Belin stepped away after the 2023 season, but continued on in his role as volunteer assistant for the girls’ team.

“I love the sport of swimming, and it’s been part of my life for almost 60 years,” Belin said. “The virtues, discipline, and perseverance I gained from swimming gave me the base for an enviable life.

“Being a swim coach is a way I can give back to the community. It allows me to share the benefits of swimming to those preparing for their own lives.”

The girls’ head coaching job at Linn-Mar opened up when Charlie Hugo resigned after last season. When asked if he would be interested in the position, Belin agreed to take on the job, more specifically, half the job.

“I retired from the head coaching position last year but never intended to leave the sport,” he said. “I wanted to do other things that I couldn't do given the time commitment of a head coach.”

So Belin asked, and Linn-Mar officials agreed, to have Kathy Vorheis, a longtime member of the Lions coaching staff, serve as co-head coach.

“When Linn-Mar approached me about stepping in to help with the girls’ program, I asked Kathy if she would share the head coach position,” Belin said. “Kathy has coached with me from my first year of being the boys’ head coach. I needed help given my other commitments, and I’m thrilled she agreed to join me coaching the girls.”

Belin added that working in tandem with Vorheis will result in a consistent message for the Lion swimmers.

“Kathy is a great fit for what I want to do with the program,” he said. “We can finish the other’s swim sentences, and we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“She has helped take administrative load off me, allowing me to do what I enjoy doing — coaching. Kathy is also a great role model for these girls. She swam in high school and at the University of Iowa. She's good with stroke technique, and my style of training, race pace, is a good fit for her skill set.”

After several years of being a top-10 finisher at state, the Lions fell off last year, finishing 17th with just 27 points. Belin said this year's team shows plenty of promise.

Senior Maura Carstensen is the lone returning state point scorer. Senior Mehal Raghwani and sophomore Layla Breitbach are the other returning state qualifiers.

A pair of talented freshmen, Greta Huberg and Mackenzie Tristan, are strong distance freestylers. Their current best times would have placed them at state last season.

“Our current team has a lot of developing talent,” Belin said. “We could surprise the swim community from what I’ve seen in the first week of practice. We have some motivated swimmers ready to put in the work for what could be an eventful season.”

As for the future, Belin said there is plenty of reason for hope.

“We have a club program that supports our high school team,” he said. “There are many young girls on the club team that show potential. Those young swimmers will contribute to Linn-Mar being a state contender in a few years.”

Linn-Mar opens its season on Sept. 3, hosting Dubuque Senior in a dual meet at the Linn-Mar Aquatic Center.