MONROE - Green County Golden Gator YMCA swimming coach Emily Pisula was named the Wisconsin Age Group Coach of the Year by U.S. Swimming recently.
"It's kind of crazy," Pisula said. "That award usually goes to coaches from a lot bigger teams. I don't need to get an award. I get my reward through my swimmers."
The Green County YMCA will have a community celebration in honor of Pisula at 7 p.m. today at the YMCA. The award was announced recently, but Pisula will receive the award at the summer state U.S. meet at the end of July or early August.
"I'm extremely honored," Pisula said. "It's nice being a small team and getting noticed. The kids are the ones who bought into the program and put the work in."
Pisula has served as a swim coach for 10 years including three years for the Green County YMCA.
Pisula's father, Mike Pisula, served a 30-year stint as the Freeport High School swimming coach. Pisula was on the swim team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She started her swimming career at the age of 7 with the Freeport Aquatic Swim team. A Freeport High School graduate, Pisula is a three-time IHSA state champion in the 200-yard individual medley. She still owns the Illinois state record in the 200 IM (2 minutes, 1.53 seconds). She was a 15-time high school All-American in various events. After graduating she went on to compete on the swim team for the Badgers where she was an All-Big Ten selection, All-American, Big Ten champion in the 400 IM, school record holder and team captain.
In her first year coaching Green County Gator swimmers, she implemented Saturday morning practices and this year had swimmers focus on the technique of having a perfect swim instead of swimming more yardage.
Brenda Ritschard, Green County YMCA Aquatic Director, nominated Pisula for the award as a write-in.
"It's kind of crazy," Pisula said. "That award usually goes to coaches from a lot bigger teams. I don't need to get an award. I get my reward through my swimmers."
The Green County YMCA will have a community celebration in honor of Pisula at 7 p.m. today at the YMCA. The award was announced recently, but Pisula will receive the award at the summer state U.S. meet at the end of July or early August.
"I'm extremely honored," Pisula said. "It's nice being a small team and getting noticed. The kids are the ones who bought into the program and put the work in."
Pisula has served as a swim coach for 10 years including three years for the Green County YMCA.
Pisula's father, Mike Pisula, served a 30-year stint as the Freeport High School swimming coach. Pisula was on the swim team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She started her swimming career at the age of 7 with the Freeport Aquatic Swim team. A Freeport High School graduate, Pisula is a three-time IHSA state champion in the 200-yard individual medley. She still owns the Illinois state record in the 200 IM (2 minutes, 1.53 seconds). She was a 15-time high school All-American in various events. After graduating she went on to compete on the swim team for the Badgers where she was an All-Big Ten selection, All-American, Big Ten champion in the 400 IM, school record holder and team captain.
In her first year coaching Green County Gator swimmers, she implemented Saturday morning practices and this year had swimmers focus on the technique of having a perfect swim instead of swimming more yardage.
Brenda Ritschard, Green County YMCA Aquatic Director, nominated Pisula for the award as a write-in.
