Today we catch up with 2008 Olympian Mark Warkentin, the Head Coach at the Santa Barbara Swim Club. Mark was an All American at USC. Following his collegiate career Mark set his sites on qualifying for the US Olympic team for the debut of of open water at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Mark finished 8th at the 2008 Olympics finishing the 10K race in 1:52.13.
Mark turned his passion for the sport toward coaching and as the Head Coach of SBSC he now shares his unique approach to training as well as a clear understanding about what it takes to succeed in the sport with his athletes. Last summer Mark demonstrated his commitment to his swimmers by paddling with them as both an escort and coach at the annual 5K Seal Beach Rough Water Swim.
Coach Warkentin focuses much of this swimmers’ attention on the steps they need to take to realize their full potential. He currently has many in is older group thinking about their college careers and the events they hope to swim.
Mark will conduct a clinic this summer to help expose more kids to open water and share his expertise with hopes of helping the USA develop future Olympic champions.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17YQaTIwePo&w=640&h=360]
