When Sedona Red Rock High School’s swim team splashes into the water for the first time next season, it will do so under a new coach. In fact, it will do so under new coaches.
Lauren Robinson and Kegn Moorcroft — who both swim with the Sedona Race Pace Swim Club — will take the reigns of the Scorpion program. In addition to the knowledge that swimming and coaching with the Race Pace team brings, both have some familiarity with the role. Robinson serves on the board for the Sedona-Oak Creek School District while Moorcroft previously coached the Scorpions with former head coach, A. Jay Bronson.
To get things going, there is one simple goal — get the numbers of the program up. The Scorpions had a highly effective swim team in 2020, producing a number of placers in individual state events, including two state champions. But while the SRRHS team was effective, it was not big in participation. With most of the 2020 swimmers set to graduate this spring, 2021’s team will be almost entirely different.
“It’s an opportunity to grow the program, try to recruit kids and try to get back to big numbers,” Robinson said. “We want to keep the program alive. Neither of us are going anywhere. There’s been such a transition that we thought maybe the two of us could provide some experience — significant experience — and some consistency and stability.”
One of the first steps Robinson and Moorcroft are taking in their recruiting efforts will be visiting the campus. On Monday, April 26 and Thursday, April 29, they plan on being at SRRHS during the lunch hours to talk to kids about potentially swimming for the Scorpions next fall.
One thing they hope they can instill in kids is that swimming is a sport that can be done for life. It’s also one that can lead to job opportunities such as coaching or becoming a lifeguard, something both Robinson and Moorcroft can personally attest to. There are additional selling points, as well. One is that, while swimming is a “fall” sport, much of the season takes place when temperatures are north of 100 degrees.
“The other thing is — it’s still summer and it’s hot,” Robinson said. “Why not pick a sport where you’re not going to be overly sweaty? You’ll be able to cool off, have a good time and learn some new skills that maybe you don’t have yet.”
“And you can meet some new friends, too,” added Moorcroft. “This opportunity is open to homeschool kids who are in the school district. If they live here and are homeschooled they can come be on this team, meet a lot of new friends, establish some social skills and just have fun. It’s a great opportunity, really. And it’s free.”
Moorcroft recalled working with the SRRHS team for six years about six years ago. She remembered a new swimmer joining the team. During the course of that season, Moorcroft estimated that the swimmer had dropped more than 30 pounds. But she also saw improvements in him that went beyond the weight loss.
“More than that, he came in so timid, he was brand new and had never gotten in the water,” Moorcroft said. “When he left, that sense of accomplishment, I feel will last him the rest of his life. It’s going to get him jobs. It’s going to build his character and gives him better leadership skills.”
One issue that Robinson and Moorcroft face is that the declining numbers are not unique to the swimming program. While Sedona has fielded some competitive teams throughout the 2020-21 school year, many of those programs have done so with little numbers. That’s left them with essentially no depth to cover a potential injury or a student having to go into quarantine.
The issue of low numbers — for the athletic programs and the school, in general — is one that Robinson credited SOCSD superintendent and SRRHS principal Dennis Dearden, for trying to remedy. As both a board member and now coach, she also intends on working with him to help further fix the problem.
“We’re going to work hand-in-hand with the school to try to build opportunities for kids who may not get them in other places,” Robinson said. “Small steps. Dennis has been working on that since he’s come here. We’ve seen a little bit of growth. Obviously we can’t fight the housing and job situations. But we can do the best that we can do to promote the school and our program.”
As far as how the dynamics of co-coaching goes, it will be even. Robinson and Moorcroft intend on working with the swimmers evenly. One day, Robinson will work with the more experienced swimmers and Moorcroft will be with the newcomers. The next day, they will switch. They’ll also communicate on decisions and lay out a plan at the beginning of the season, adjusting it as is necessary.
The opportunity is one that both coaches are eager to get underway.
“We’re both really excited,” Moorcroft said. “Lauren has been coaching forever. I took a step back to focus on my own swimming. Now I’m ready to be a coach again. I’ve done my competitive stint and I’m ready to meet some kids and have fun — teach them how to swim or perfect their swim — whatever level they’re at.”
Anyone looking for additional information should contact Moorcroft [kegnhall28@gmail.com] or SRRHS Athletic Director, Pedro Ortega Sr. [portega@sedonak12.org].
