BY CAROLINE BUNNELL
Matthew Distler was named the second coach for the women’s swim team since it started three years ago.
“I’m excited for us to be able to build as a team. There is no pressure on us right now, we get to enjoy the sport, and we get to enjoy getting better at the sport, and take it one step at a time,” Distler said.
Distler said he began coaching when he was in high school, where he ran camps and clinics with his high school coach. From there, he coached at a variety of levels including at the club team level, and with adults training for competitions.
Team Captain Maddie Conley said that she has enjoyed Distler’s coaching style and approach to the team.
“Coach has a very positive outlook on practices and coaching. He is always so enthusiastic on the pool deck, he really brings a lot of energy considering the early hours we practice at,” Conley said.
Distler replaces Coach Caleb Potvin who took an assistant coaching job at University of New Hampshire.
Conley said she was initially worried about getting a new coach in time, after Potvin left the program.
“It was quite a shock to us all when our old coach left, and many of us were worried that we would not have a coach by the start of our season, so we just feel very fortunate to have found a coach and a great coach at that,” Conley said.
Before taking the head coach position at Stonehill, Distler was the head men and women’s swim coach at SUNY New Paltz.
Distler’s first day was Sept. 6, where he met with the team for morning practice. He said the entire process was quick since he was offered the job two weeks after he applied.
Distler decided to take the position at Stonehill because of the opportunities he saw within the team, and for himself as a Division I coach.
“One of the biggest things that drew me to coach at the division I level, was to coach more. You get to coach more days a year even in the off season. It’s only eight hours a week, but it’s still coaching, and I love coaching, and I love teaching. I wanted to be able to do that more,” Distler said.
He also noted that the proximity to his family in New York, and the beautiful campus were also deciding factors in taking the job.
Conley said that she was excited about the new mindset that was being brought to the team with a new coach.
“Having a new coach is bringing in a new perspective and allowing each of us to grow both as swimmers and people, I think it is something that has been a good challenge for us,” Conley said.
Distler said he is looking forward to what the team can accomplish this year, and years to come at the Division I level.
“The biggest thing I saw was a huge opportunity. It’s a really new program and it’s only going to be our third season, so it was an opportunity to start something from the ground up and it was also an opportunity to get a swim at the Division I level,” Distler said.