2 minute read
Immediate Impact
from The Patriot Issue 2
by SMS Patriot
Only three years in, and head coach Derek Berg has had a significant influence on The SM South swim program.
Written by Nathan Judd Sports Editor
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SMS Swim & Dive head coach Derek Berg recently won coach of the year for his teams performance this year after ending as 5th place in 6A. This isn’t his only award for swimming either, winning the 2011 Girls Kansas 6A Coach of the Year, 2011 National Federation of High Schools Midwest Sectional Girls Coach of the Year, 2016 Boys Kansas 6A Coach of the Year, and 2016 NFHS Midwest Sectional Boys Coach of the Year. After his latest accomplishment coach Berg should definitely be considered one of the best swim coaches in the state
“This year was hard, with so many things being different, many traditions being changed or canceled, dealing with covid protocols, etc, but they handled it all so well, kept themselves and each other safe and healthy, kept working hard through it all, and just kept improving, putting themselves into position as one of the top teams in the Sunflower League and State,”coach Berg said after being asked about how this season was different from others.
One of the most special moments of this swim season, and one of coach Bergs’ proudest moments as a coach was at the prelims session of the Sunflower League Championship, when every single swim was a personal best.
“I’ve had meets where we have had season best swims before, but I don’t think I have ever in my career had a meet where EVERY athlete got their lifetime best like we did in that session. It was amazing to watch.” Berg said.
The team got better throughout the course of the season and ended up taking fifth at state.
“Berg is a great coach, he really knows what he is talking about. He gave all of us a pep talk before state and you could really tell how much he cares about each of us and the team as a whole.” Senior and first year diver Tyler Welch said.
At the end of the day South swim & dive is one of the best programs in the sunflower league and up there with the best in the state. Each year coach Berg continues to show that he is one of the best coaches in the state, racking up award after award backing up that statement each year.
COACH BERG’S ACCOLADES
• 2021 Boys Kansas 6A Swim Coach of the Year • 2011 Girls Kansas 6A Swim Coach of the Year • 2011 NFHS Midwest Sectional Girls Coach of the
Year
Screaming encouragement, swim coach Derek Berg cheers on his South swimmers.
Photo By Landrea Van Mol
After an intense race, coach Berg pats senior Owen Krussow on the back.
