Lebherz brings ‘new attitude’ to Makos
MORGAN HILL
Morgan Hill Swim Club is celebrating its 50th season by not living in the past.
Once a powerhouse in Pacific Swimming, the Makos had only two swimmers — Tanner Fry, Omar Insignares — in their home pool last week for the Far Western Championships held at the Aquatics Center on Condit Road. The Makos have had a decent year, with record-highs for entries in the 10 & Under Short Course Championships and Junior Olympics, according to Morgan Hill Swim Club president Eric J. Sidebotham. But their paltry showing at Far Westerns was an apt metaphor for the drop in Makos talent and a correlating rift between the club and the city.
By hiring Tom Lebherz as the Makos’ new head coach, Sidebotham, 44, and his staff have sought to remedy both. Lebherz is a community-orientated 64-year-old with a knack for connecting with kids — despite his 6-foot-3, 260-pound frame and stage presence that would rival George C. Scott — and bringing out the best in them as swimmers. The oldest of seven brothers and sisters, Lebherz has coached youth swimming for almost 50 years, including 38 at the high school level. He is an American Swimming Coaches Association-certified Level 5 coach who has helped several students compete for spots in the Olympics.
Four of his South Valley Swim Team members have sectional cuts in three or more events; several have qualified for Junior and Senior Nationals, the final step before Olympic trials. In the swimming community, they refer to those accomplishments as “the next level” — exactly where Sidebotham thinks Lebherz can take the Makos.
“He knows what he’s doing,” Sidebotham said. “He knows what they need to do in order to get where they need to be. He’s not an overbearing guy; he’s a direct guy, and the kids have fun with him.
“I’ve met a lot of his current swimmers, who are going to coming here with him … and they’re just good kids. They’re having fun, and they’re successful.”
Sidebotham was impressed within minutes of Lebherz’s trial coaching run with the Makos three weeks ago. Almost instantaneously, every swimmer was smiling.
“I’ve never seen that happen before,” Sidebotham said.
That is not to knock any of Morgan Hill Swim Club’s previous head coaches. Their philosophies were good, Sidebotham said. The problem was connecting with the community.
“That relationship was underdeveloped,” Sidebotham said. “And so relationships with the local high schools were underdeveloped. (Those) are critical for everyone in the community and the local businesses that support us. You have to let people know about your program and get more kids into the pool and having a good time.”
“Selling” the Makos comes off as an easy task to Lebherz. Reaching out is one of his favorite hobbies. On top of coaching (Lebherz also coaches football at West Valley and San Jose City College), he spends most of his free time catering for large events — he’s a master at barbecue — and striking up conversations with people around him.
“I can go into any coffee shop, and the next time I go there, everyone will know who I am. They’ll know what I want,” said Lebherz, who has developed countless ties to San Jose businesses in the last four decades. “I have that kind of pull. It’s an X factor I have. I can relate to anyone.”
That is one of the reasons why he has been so successful as a coach. With his students, Lebherz develops close ties built on trust. He is like a parent — or grandparent — to many of them.
“I think it’s very important to have that bond,” Lebherz said. “Swimmers are with their coaches four to six hours a day. You get this relationship. The more you trust you have with me, the more you’re going to get from them. I keep it straight. I’m very fair, very positive, but I’ll also give you the negative.
“For me, the best part is watching them progress, getting them into college, willing them along and watching them challenge themselves.”
Lynn Gautschi, who coaches Morgan Hill’s second-year Splash Swim Team and goes head to head with Lebherz when Gautschi’s Live Oak Acorns swim against Lebherz’s Santa Teresa Saints in the high school season, can attest to the Makos being in good hands.
“I see him as a good fit for any team,” Gautschi said. “He’s very dedicated. He spends a lot of time with his kids. He’s a very good conditioning coach, and he makes the kids accountable.”
Lebherz sees a lot of potential in his 80-plus member team at Morgan Hill Swim Club. Among them, Jarod Hatch recently received an Outstanding Student Achievement Award, and 8-year-old twins Chris and Nicole Chritzer were selected to the Zone One South All-Star Team.
At Far Westerns, 12-year-old Fry placed sixth in his heat of the men’s open 1,650-yard freestyle in 19 minutes, 58.81 seconds, and Insignares was 32nd (1:16.91) in the men’s 10-and-under 100-yard butterfly preliminaries.
“The kids are very enthusiastic, and they’re in pretty good shape,” Lebherz said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun for me and the other coaches.”
Sidebotham and his staff want former Makos to get in on it. The club has invited everyone who has been involved with the club to come back for its 50-year celebration in October.
The Makos plan to take part in the Fourth of July parade presented by Independence Day Incorporated and “anything to help spread the word,” Sidebotham said.
“We want the community to know we’re a new team, and we have a new attitude,” he added. “For all the Morgan Hill swimmers that are with other clubs, we want to bring them home.”
RESULTS: The Far Western Short Course Championships featured several other local swimmers from teams outside Morgan Hill Swim Club.
Among them, Daniel Pawlak of Splash placed fifth (22.81) in the men’s 13-14 50 freestyle final, and Santa Clara Swim Club’s Christiana Bridges took second in the women’s 15-16 1,650 free (17:31), seventh in the 1,000 free (10:26.48) and 20th in the 200 free (2:02.18).
