As spring sports come to a start, a new swim season, as well as a new swim coach are beginning at Redwood. Fred Ferroggiaro, father of former Redwood swimmer Alexandra Ferroggiaro

and current Swimmer and Redwood Junior Samantha Ferroggiaro, steps up from his position as assistant coach and claims the role of the swim teams new head coach.

Though Ferroggiaro only started coaching last year, he has been swimming nearly his entire life.

“I started swimming when I was very young,” Ferroggiaro said. “I grew up in the Central Valley near a river, and we used to vacation at rivers so swimming was important for my safety.”

Ferroggiaro began swimming competitively when he was eight, and then went on to swim in high school, college, and masters.

With his interest in swimming and previous involvement with the Redwood team, this job was ideal for Ferroggiaro.

“I don’t know if I was ready for the commitment, but it was kind of an ideal job,” Ferroggiaro said. “The proximity was great, I love the sport, and I wanted to kind of give it a try. It was a challenge.”

Along with the new position, Ferroggiaro also has been given a strong team.

“The women’s side is very deep and very strong and the men’s side will be comparably strong as well. I expect them to do really really well,” Ferroggiaro said.

With a strong team comes large goals, according to Ferroggiaro.

“I think we need to get better at sprints and if we do I think were going to be really competing for the top spots,” Ferroggiaro said. “As well as molding good citizens, and teaching them to be good people and respect themselves and the school and their opponents, all those civic duties, and beyond that I expect them to do well in swimming.”

Freshman Charlotte Trotter is new to the team, and said she has thoroughly enjoyed her time on it so far.

“We’re doing fun sets,” Trotter said. “They’re not too challenging, but just enough where I’m not pushing it, but I’m getting back in shape.”

Trotter believes that Ferroggiaro is leading the team in the right direction in order to be successful.

“He’s definitely doing the right sets to prepare us,” Trotter said. “He’s also not leaving people behind. It’s basically like ‘Here’s a set, do what you want with it.’ And then if you put in the effort he’ll help you a lot.”