Patti Rothwell
Head Coach
Patti Rothwell began her coaching career at age
17 with her age-group team, Lake Forest Swim Club, in
Illinois. Before that she swam for North York Aquatic Club,
in her native Canada.
Patti came to Almaden Swim & Racquet Club, San Jose, CA, in
1981, following her graduation from Northwestern University,
Evanston, Illinois, where she attended as the first
woman swimmer on scholarship, and where she earned her
Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She qualified for the NCAA
swimming championships in all of her 4 years at Northwestern.
As an age-group swimmer, Patti
established numerous National records in both butterfly
and
backstroke. As a Senior Swimmer, (and a Canadian) Patti
placed 3rd in the 200 meters freestyle at the 1966 British Empire
Games Trials and earned the bronze medal in the 100 meters
butterfly at the 1968 Olympic Games Trials.
In her 23+ years of coaching, Patti has overseen all age levels
and abilities. Her focus (not surprisingly) is educating the
swimmers in technique, strategy, training goals, competition and
independence. Creativity in practices is often a goal, as
well.
Patti is a coach member of United States Swimming.
