Coaches
Dave Kontz was hired in October 2023 as the head coach of the Wisconsin Rapids Swim Club, the Krakens. Here are some details about his work with the team:
- Coaching experience: Kontz has over 30 years of coaching experience with various age groups and was brought on to lead the new program. Over his long career, Kontz has coached swimmers of all age groups.
- Emphasis on fundamentals: He has been praised for his work with the club's youngest members, emphasizing their improvement and strong start.
- Recognized leadership: In 2024, Kontz was named Rookie of the Year by the Wisconsin Rapids Area Sports Commission for his coaching efforts.
- Focus on fundamental technique. As a veteran coach, Kontz emphasizes proper form and technique for swimmers of all ages. He believes that building a strong technical foundation is key to a swimmer's long-term success.
- Building for the future with a focus on youth: Coach K has specifically highlighted the strength of his youngest swimmers (ages 8 and under) at the Wisconsin Rapids Swim Club, viewing them as central to the program's future. He sees them as the next generation of competitive swimmers who will shape the club for years to come.
- Emphasizing dedication and serving as a role model: Kontz values dedication and a strong work ethic in his athletes. He has specifically praised the veteran swimmers for being "great role models." Coach Kontz philosophy extends beyond technical skills to developing strong character and leadership within his club.
- Milwaukee Public Schools: Prior to his role in Wisconsin Rapids, Kontz worked in the Milwaukee Public Schools system for 17 years.. In 2019, he was recognized as a semi-finalist for the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence for his work at the Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education.
I am a competitive swim coach who has been coaching on and off since 2009, when I first relocated to the Wisconsin Rapids area. After moving here, I was hired as the Head Coach for the SWC YMCA, and continued to coach whenever I could in between starting and raising my family.
My love for swimming began long before coaching. I grew up in the Northwoods on a lake, and my parents put us on the local swim team at a young age. I went on to swim for the Rhinelander Hodags for seven years, where I was fortunate to be mentored by incredible coaches who inspired me to follow in their footsteps.
Working with young athletes and watching them grow—both as swimmers and as confident individuals—is the most rewarding part of what I do. I am committed to helping each swimmer reach their fullest potential, in and out of the pool… and of course, sharing a good joke along the way!
My name is Marlene M. Holtz, and I have been dedicated to teaching swim lessons since the spring of 1997, with 28 years of experience helping swimmers grow in skill and confidence. My teaching style focuses on developing and critiquing the fundamental skills essential for competitive swimming. I also coached middle school boys' swim for three years, further enriching my coaching experience. I believe swimming is a lifelong sport that offers benefits at any age, promoting physical health and personal growth. What brings me the greatest joy is watching young swimmers achieve even the smallest skills—milestones that build the foundation for greater accomplishments in the water.
My name is David Michels, and I’ve been involved in the sport of swimming for most of my life. I began coaching high school swimming in 1993 and continued through 2001, while also coaching a summer swim program from 1995 to 2001. Since 1999, I’ve served as a WIAA official, staying closely connected to the sport I love. I started swimming competitively as an 8 & under with the Racine Aquatics Club (RAC), which later merged with the Racine Y team to become South Eastern Aquatics (SEA). I swam through high school at Case and continued at the collegiate level with the Marquette University Swim Club, since the university didn’t have a varsity team.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with many swimmers, and I believe every achievement—whether it’s learning a flip turn, setting a personal best, or winning a state title—deserves to be celebrated. My coaching philosophy is rooted in the idea that swimmers need a strong balance of technique, physical conditioning, and mental focus. Improvement in any one area helps, but true potential is only reached when all three are developed together. What I enjoy most about coaching is watching athletes grow not just in the water, but as individuals. Outside of coaching, I simply enjoy being around water—whether it's boating, jet-skiing, waterskiing, or fishing.
