New England Coach Carl Cederquist To Retire After 40 Years of Coaching

Carl Cederquist, who has been coaching at Crimson Aquatics, has recently announced that he will be retiring from coaching.

Coach Cederquist has had a tremendous coaching career spanning just around 40 years. He’s been a stapled coach of the New England area across a multitude of levels – including coaching high school and YMCA teams – though he spent the majority of his career coaching at the age group level at a variety of USA Swimming club teams.

He is primarily known for his coaching stint at the Magnus Aquatic Group, where he coached alongside head coach Paul Mangili. At the time, Cederquist was responsible for coaching three-time Olympian Elizabeth Beisel, who was one among a talented cohort of age group swimmers. Under Cederquist’s direction, Beisel broke seven 10 & under National Age Group records: three short course records in the 100 back, 200 IM, and the 500 free; as well as earning marks in the long course 200 and 400 freestyles, 100 back, and the 200 IM.

Beisel would go on to win two medals at the 2012 London Olympics – a silver in the 400 IM and a bronze in the 200 back. As part of the 2012 USA Swimming Coaching Incentive Program, Coach Cederquist was credited as Beisel’s developmental coach, meaning he coached her for at least 24 months at some point between the ages of 11 and 18. For her medal-winning performances, Cederquist was awarded $11,000 by the USA Swimming Foundation.

When Beisel turned 12, she transferred to Bluefish Swim Club, where she would go on to be coached by Chuck Batchelor. Later on, in 2010, the Magnus Aquatic Group merged with the Bay and Ocean States Squids (BOSS) to form. Crimson Aquatics Club. Coach Cederquist spent the majority of the rest of his career with Crimson, coaching at several of their locations.

Cederquist is a three-time recipient of the ASCA Age Group Coach of the Year award for the New England LSC. He most recently earned this reward for the 2008-2009 season.

Below reads a note shared by Coach Cederquist to express the gratitude he has for the coaches, swimmers, parents and friends he worked with throughout his career:

To my swimming community,

I am writing to let all my swimming families, past and present, know
that I am officially retiring from coaching after 40 years, this
April. During this time, I have been involved with and coached  many
different swim organizations, from Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA’s, High
Schools, College but mostly USA Swimming clubs and Crimson Aquatics
and Magnus. Swimming has been a big part of my life that has brought
me many good memories, and I will miss it and all the wonderful people
I have met.

I want to thank all the fantastic and talented coaches that I have
worked with, learned from and became good friends with, as well as
sharing  many good times, and especially the coaches socials at Mike’s
house. I would also like to thank the generous and loving parents
that gave of their time, and always supported me in creating
successful teams and  giving me a great career. Without your help
none of this would have been possible.

Lastly, to the swimmers I have coached, I want to let you know that
you have contributed greatly to the happiness and joy in my life,
because coaching for me was part of my life. I will miss you all, and
hope we can cross paths often. Swimming was not only a privilege to
watch, and be part of your successes, but it was also amazing to see
you grow into fine young adults. I have many fond memories of all the
good and bad times and like a good friend once said to me, “you could
write a book with some of your stories!!”

Finally, I would like to say that you all impacted my life in some
manner and hope that in return I have impacted yours in a positive
way.

Thank you for everything,

Carl