Coaching with Character

It doesn’t matter whether a swimmer or diver is a four-time state qualifier, a school record holder or the slowest swimmer on the team.

To Sarah Patterson, they are all NCMP Aquagirls. And she treats them as equals.

“I felt like I was friends with everyone on the team — and I think Coach P had a large part in that,” said Ellen Colville, a four-time state qualifier who swam for NCMP from 2008-2011. “She made everyone feel like equals, no matter their abilities in the water or as an athlete.

“While I can’t speak for everyone, I believe we all felt seen, heard and important while being a part of the Aquagirls team.”

Patterson has never been about the win-loss record during her 30 years as NCMP head coach. She cares more about her swimmers getting along and being cohesive and making them feel like one big family.

That’s a big reason why Patterson was recently honored with the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Character Counts Coach of the Year award.

“I have always been one where if we’re not cohesive as a team, if we’re not getting along, if it’s not fun, if kids don’t feel like it’s family at the banquet, then I am not doing my job,” Patterson said. “That’s always been the most important thing to me so to get this award does mean a lot.”

Patterson received the Character Counts award at halftime of the Class 5A girls’ state basketball championship game at Wells Fargo Arena on Friday night.

According to the IGHSAU, the Character Counts award honors a worthy recipient who embodies the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

Rather than spotlight winning records and isolated acts of heroism or generosity, the award was conceived to recognize individuals whose coaching lives and achievements demonstrates an enduring commitment to any or all of the six above qualities associated with good character.

“To me, it’s time start reflecting on my career and this kind of forced me to do that,” Patterson said. “What it means to me is that I would hope I have touched kids beyond the pool. This makes you realize that maybe you have done something in your career that is going to be remembered or carried on for a long time. That’s a pretty cool feeling.”

Patterson’s accomplishments as head coach do go beyond her character. She has had a state qualifier in each of her 30 seasons. She also has been the coach for every school record that the NCMP swimming and diving program has set.

Hannah Scotton swam for the NCMP Aquagirls from 2011-2014. She was a four-time state qualifier and also left the program with school records.

But for Scotton, Patterson is not just her former swim coach.

“She’s not just a coach, she’s a mentor. She’s our biggest cheerleader,” Scotton said. “Coach P builds an incredible moral on the team. Our team becomes a family because of the way Coach Patterson leads us.

“Coach P expects a lot out of us, but it’s because she believes in us. She helps us become better people. Coach P has had a large impact on my life and has helped shape me into the person I am today.”

The Aquagirls are currently on a four-year title run in the North Central Iowa Conference and Patterson has been named NCIC coaching staff of the year twice.

She’s also been named CIML coach of the year twice and has been named regional coach of the year by the Iowa High School Swim Coaches Association.

Current NCMP assistant swim coach Jenny Jensen has a unique perspective when it comes to Patterson. Jensen was part of the first team Patterson ever coached at Newton and now gets to work with her every day to continue the Aquagirl legacy.

“I swam for Coach P before she was Coach P,” Jensen said. “Though her vast swimming knowledge is to be admired, it isn’t even close to what makes her an amazing coach. The culture she has built into Newton swimming is what she’s most known for. She created the “Aquagirl” brand that includes hard working, mentally tough swimmers who compete for themselves, their teammates and for Coach P. The drama-free environment she created allows the girls to thrive in and out of the pool. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this award more.”