— photos courtesy of Ann Beckett || Christopher Telle (above) prepares for the start of the backstroke race at the Orange Waves home meet Thursday. This was Telle's last meet before he leaves for West Point next week.

Orange Waves start season with new coach

Calvert City’s
swim club hands
over coaching
duties to Marshall
County native
Katherine Gordon


By Rick Burres
Tribune-Courier Sports Reporter
Rburres@tribunecourier.com

Calvert City Country Club’s Orange Waves Swim Club won its first home meet of the season with new head coach Katherine Gordon at the helm Thursday.

The Waves defeated Caldwell County 861-485.

Gordon, 20, is a Marshall County native who swam at MCHS and is currently a junior at Translyvania University in Lexington.

She has been swimming for the Orange Waves since she was 5 years old and has served as the club’s assistant coach for the past three years.

Kristen Jones handled head coaching duties last year but is focusing on finishing her college education this summer.

“I’ve been on this team since I was five and I’ve loved every minute of it,” Gordon said.

“When coach Hafer decided it was time to move on he handed the job over to Kristen and I.”

Gordon said the team accepts athletes from age 5 to 18.

“If you are 5 years old and can swim the length of the pool you’re on the team.”

Gordon said she will be making very few changes to the team’s training regime.

“We are going to be doing a lot of dry-land this year,” Gordon said.

“Its something we haven’t focused on much in the past.”
Gordon said physical conditioning is paramount for any competitive swimmer.

Said Gordon, “You have got to be in shape to swim.”