Mark Onstott, the head coach of New Trier High School, will be retiring in February, according to the Chicago Sun Times (citing a press release by the school).
Onstott has been coaching since 1975 across Iowa, Texas, and Illinois, and at New Trier from 1994 (all of those years with the boys, and from 2002-2005 as the girls’ coach). Onstott is the two-time NFHS National Coach of the Year in boys’ swimming, in 2005 and 2010.
“Mark has set a coaching standard in swimming at New Trier that will be difficult to match here or anywhere in our state,” Athletic Director Randy Oberembt said. “We are indebted to Mark and wish him great success as he concludes his teaching and coaching career at New Trier”.
The boys’ team at New Trier last season surpassed 900 all-time dual meet wins in the program’s long, proud history. That history began before Onstott came to the program (they had 14 team state titles by the time he arrived) but he has certainly continued it. His boys were state champions in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013.
In February of 2012, Sam Skinner, Reed Malone, Jack Mangan, and Max Grodecki combined for a 2:59.76 in the 400 yard free relay – making them the first ever 400 yard free relay to break three minutes in high school competition.
He will have a huge challenge on his hands to end with a title; over 75% of his scoring from last year’s state title team has graduated, including Reed Malone, David Schriesheim, Brian Walsh, David Tao and Jack Mangan, and so they will have to rebuild around senior Jae Park: the defending state champion in the 200 IM (1:50.04) and 100 breast (55.86).
COACH O. KNOWS!
Coached my summer league team back when he was the swim coach for Cy Fair High School.