Our coach, Neil Romney, was fired this week from coaching after 10 years with North Whidbey Aquatic Club.

To me, Neil wasn’t just a coach.

He knew every single swimmer’s names, times, strengths and weaknesses. He knew when everyone was working hard or not. But most importantly, he gave us the skills not just for swimming but skills we can use in life.

He taught us determination, proper training and pushed us hard to be better than we ever thought we could be. I have been swimming with NWAC for nearly three years and I am devastated to hear that Neil won’t be there.

I can only imagine how hard it is for the swimmers who are above me and have been there much longer.

It is especially hard because we don’t know why he’s been fired. And nobody will give us the reasons.

The truth is, we will never find another coach who will even compare to Neil. We will never find a coach who cares about us as much as Neil. All we can do is just hope for the best. And try to make him proud.

Sydney Dickinson, age 13
Oak Harbor