New Head Coach for the Ankeny Aquahawks

Ethan Johnston will be the new head coach for the Aquahawks! Ethan has been an assistant coach for Central Iowa Aquatics (CIA) swim team since 1999. He was also a lead coach of the introductory and pre-competitive team. He also has been a masters swim coach for CIA and is a member of the Des Moines Water Polo Club. He has played water polo since his freshmen year of high school in 1985 and swimming since the age of 5.  He enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children is looking forward to taking on the Head Coach position .

As a coach, Ethan enjoys the most watching kids succeed and do things they have never thought possible. He believes that coaching is much more than simply writing a workout and standing on deck. He believes a good coach is walking the pool deck and talking to the kids at every opportunity to give the swimmers the best chance of improving. He also enjoys the process, as a coach, of taking kids with very little swimming experience and helping them become great swimmers. Ethan also thinks that technique is one of the most important things a coach can teach kids as well as doing the strokes, turns, and starts correctly. Hard work is also important, but not at the expense of good technique. He wants the kids to work hard, but more importantly, work smart.

Ethan’s experience, successful leadership, and future goals for our swimmers and the team will be a GREAT addition to the Aquahawks! Along with Ethan, we have our strong assistant coaching staff returning for the winter season. Our assistant coaches will be:

Greg Moyle
Linda Waite
Cathy Westercamp
Dan Harty
Holly Nixt
Meghan Murfee
Roni Harty
Kari Wiklund