Q&A with Ellensburg girls head swim coach, Yakima HS grad Chezla Madson
ELLENSBURG, Wash. — A Q&A with Chezla Madson who is the head coach for the Ellensburg girls swim team and a Yakima High School graduate.
How long have you been coaching swimming?
Chezla Madson: I’ve been coaching swim for eight years, seven years as an assistant coach, and one year as head coach.
What is your background in this sport?
Madson: Swim has been a significant part of my life. I grew up in the water and taking lessons until my instructor told my parents I had gotten as far as I could go and suggested they look into competitive swimming. I started competing at age nine and was a year-round swimmer until I turned 17. I swam for West Valley High School in Yakima all four years of high school.
What are one or two things the team does in training that are keys to their success?
Madson: I would say consistency with technique. Knowing what and how your body moves in the water are super important, so we try to focus on technique and efficiency.
What do you look forward to the most for this year’s season?聽
Madson: I look forward to picking up where we left off last season. It’s been a tough couple of years, and I think seeing our growth and ability the previous year has motivated our girls to come into this season with a different mindset. We are a competitive team in our league, and I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running this season.
Describe your proudest coaching moment.
Madson: There are so many coaching moments that I think of proudly. From swimmers succeeding in a stroke or event, they doubted themselves into teeth-clenching finishes at District Finals. Still, my proudest was when a parent approached me from another team to compliment our girls and their sportsmanship. I am so proud of the girls and what they do in the water, but what they do and how they carry themselves on the deck always impresses me.
What is your biggest life lesson from being a coach?聽
Madson: The biggest life lesson I’ve learned from coaching is to be brave and step outside your comfort zone. You never truly know what you are capable of until you do it.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a coach?聽
Madson: I hope to instill a legacy of positivity and not allow inner thoughts to limit what you think you can do. We talk a lot about the mental aspect of competing, not letting doubt or fear stop you from achieving what you want. I hope that is something the athletes I coach take with them beyond the pool.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Madson: You do not need a background in competitive swimming to join our team! If you have an interest in participating in a high school sport but maybe don’t have competitive experience, consider swimming.
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