Team mission: To develop individuals to their highest potential as athletes and leaders in life.
Team mission: To develop individuals to their highest potential as athletes and leaders in life.
Office: 815-726-3939 x412
Cell: 815-603-1114
Fax: 815-726-3968
E-mail: dhedden@jolietymca.org
I have been with the JETS since the summer of 1993, when I started competitive swimming at 11 years old. I grew up in Manhattan and learned to swim at the Smith Family YMCA. In my last season before heading to college in 1999, I began coaching and have been doing it ever since. I attended Lewis University, where I also became the Undergraduate Assistant Coach for 2 seasons. I graduated in 2004 with a Major in Mathematics and Minor in Secondary Education. I decided not to become a teacher because my passion wasn't in it. Instead, I assumed the role of Interim Head Coach of the JETS through the 2005-2006 season and took on the permanent role of Head Coach in 2006. I primarily coach the Stunt Pilot 2, Mach 2 and Moon Landers. I am a Life-Plus member of the American Swimming Coaches Association, Level 2 certified and Level 5 educated. I also coach the Joliet Y Masters Swim Team. I have served as a Group Representative for the National YMCA Swimming and Diving Committee since 2007, where I provide information and other support to YMCA coaches in Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Kansas.
E-mail: JetsCoach2@aol.com
Coach Dan began coaching with the JETS in the fall of 1997. His two daughters, Laura and Sarah, were both successful swimmers on the JETS and in college. Dan's creative, fun-loving coaching style has made him a beloved coach with swimmers and parents alike, and his devotion to the team and the YMCA mission has made a big impact. Dan is an annual member of the American Swimming Coaches Association, Level 2 certified and Level 3 educated. He primarily coaches the Stunt Pilot 1 and Mach 1 groups.
E-mail: chzsml@hotmail.com
Coach Victoria has coached with the JETS since 2007. Victoria began swimming competitively in 6th grade at a summer park district team and she continued to swim through high school. Victoria says, "I love the energy children give off and believe greatly in their dreams." In addition to coaching, she has been a Special Education Teaching Assistant at Grand Prairie Elementary School since 2007 and has been pursuing a degree in education. Victoria is ASCA Level 2 certified. She primarily coaches the Zeppelin and Glider groups and helps with most of the other groups as well.
E-mail: swimmerfromaz2000@yahoo.com
Coach Sally is a former JETS swimmer who swam with the team for 6 years, from age 12 to 17. Sally was always a very caring, supportive and thoughtful teammate, and she continues to be a great asset to the team now as a coach, where she has been on staff since 2007. She is a graduate of Providence High School and holds a Social Work degree from the University of St. Francis, where she graduated in 2011. She is now pursuing graduate education in Social Work at USF. You can always find her around the YMCA, where she helps as a lifeguard, swim instructor and swim coach. Sally is currently the Interim Aquatics Manager at the Smith Family YMCA. She primarily works with our Flight School, Zeppelin and Glider groups.
E-mail: scempel@gmail.com
Coach Sarah is a former JETS swimmer, participating with the team for 10 years, from age 8-18. She is the current JETS record holder in the 17-18 girls 1,000 yard freestyle and was also a member of the JETS National Team for four years. In 2011, Sarah graduated Northern Michigan University with a degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education and is currently searching for a teaching job. At NMU, Sarah swam under Coach Bob Laughna, Head Coach of the 2009 US Deaf Olympic Team, where she was MVP her junior year and team captain her senior year. She also was a member of the GLIAC Conference All-Academic Team and female student athlete of the month. Sarah is ASCA Level 2 certified and coaches the Zeppelin, Glider and Stunt Pilot levels on the team.
E-mail: kerrysindewald@gmail.com
Coach Kerry is a former JETS swimmer who swam with the team for 8 years. Kerry loved the JETS so much that her brother and sister also became her teammates, and she also shared a lane with Coach Dave. She is still remembered today for her loud laugh and loudest cheering voice on the team. Kerry was a member of Sandburg High School's swim team where she was named MVP for team spirit. She went on to attend Illinois Wesleyan University where she majored in Elementary Education. As a 3 year member of the IWU Titan's Swim Team, she excelled at the 500 Free, 1650 Free, 100 Fly and anything else that nobody else would swim! After graduating IWU in 2008, Kerry spent time in South Korea teaching English and traveling. She has also spent the last 6 summers at an all-boys summer camp in Maine. She is working on her Master's degree in Reading and Literacy while working as a Teacher's Aide at Taft Elementary School, with her ultimate goal being to secure a full-time teaching job. Kerry works primarily with our Zeppelin and Glider groups.
