Lynn Keeling 

Head Coach

Riptide has been a part of the Keeling family for 19 years. My oldest son Nathan joined at the age of 7 and will be 26 years old in November. Marlie and Max joined the next year (as they tell the story I “forced the” to do it…in reality I “forced them” to try it for a day and they never looked back!) Shannon was about 4 years old, hanging on my back as I started what we called the “Ripples” at that time. It was geared toward the little 5-6 year olds, not quite ready for real competition, but water-ready. After that I coached the 8 & Unders and then became the head coach – this is my 17th year (I think). Great memories!

My favorite part about coaching is staying in touch with the kids of all ages. It is especially rewarding to coach an 8 &Under and still be around to watch them step up on the blocks for their last reace as an 18-year old. Seeing a swimmer go from average to elite is an inspiration.

In those moments when I’m not planning a workout, lining up a swim meet,changing the line-up or coaching, I like to be active. Walking, hiking the bluffs, swimming, cross country skiing in the winter with my husband, playing cards and piano (although I have been neglecting that lately). Gardening is also a favorite pastime. My family has always been close and we have taken many trips together over the years. My kids are busy starting their careers so it is getting harder and harder to get us all together at the same time. Fortunately, Shannon is coaching this summer so we spend a lot of time together.

In 1981 I graduated from University of Iowa in Iowa City with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. At present, I work per diem at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital on the med/surg floor. In the fall, I coach the Baraboo High School girls swim team. If I had my wish, I would be a better piano player and be involved in music. At one time I played at church and taught elementary school music, which is something I really miss. At least I get to follow Shannon’s Wisconsin Singers group and watch them perform around the state and beyond. I am on the Executive Board for their group so I do hope to make some kind of contribution to that organization since it is an awesome bunch of kids.

My advice to swimmers…. Do the workout! When the going gets tough don’t go to the bathroom, fix your goggles or sit out. Hang tough and someday you will reach a whole new level of swimming. Also, DO THE MEETS (all of them) if you really care about your performance as a swimmer. Life is short and you will be finished swimming competitively before you know it, but those memories of success will fuel you forever.

My name is Shannon Keeling and this is my first year coaching Riptide, although I swam with Riptide for 14 years and continue to swim for exercise. It is hard to pick one thing I like best about coaching. It is exciting watching each swimmer get stronger as the season progresses. Their times drop, they make faster intervals at practice, and the coaches always have to be ready to make things harder for them. I love when swimmers go beyond what they thought they were capable of. I also really enjoy doing private lesions outside of practice because it gives me a chance to find little things that will make a difference in a swimmer’s stroke for the long term. And of course, I just love getting to know the kids and seeing their personalities come out as they bond with their team and lane mates. Happy swimmers make happy coaches.

When I am not coaching, I love hanging out with my family and friends, doing the Baraboo Summer thing, and trying to enjoy time off from school. I also stay busy in the school year (and a few weekends in the summer) performing as a singer/dancer with the UW Madison’s “Wisconsin Singers”. I am starting my third season with the Singers in the fall as the troupe’s Dance Captain.

I am a junior at UW-Madison, studying Communication Arts-Rhetorical Studies. Before getting a “real” job I plan to spend a few years auditioning for musicals in Chicago and New York, or performing on cruise lines. After that, I may actually put my degree to use and work in TV news as a report or anchor.

My advice to swimmers is to work through pain. If you never push yourself through pain at practice, you’ll never be able to push yourself through pain in a race. I always tell my swimmers that for every person sitting out of practice, there are 20 more in Cross Plains, Sun Prairie, etc, who are putting in the work to deserve success. Also, find the joy in swimming, as you should do with everything in life. You create your own happiness!

My name is Katie Baird and this is my first year coaching Riptide. I swam with Riptide for 11 years, and swam all four years in High School. The best thing about coaching is being a part of the team in a different way. I love helping kids enjoy swimming as much as I do.

When I am not swimming or coaching, I also work as a lifeguard at the Baraboo Indoor Pool, and enjoy playing guitar, drawing and designing. I will be a freshman this fall at UW-Stout and plan to major in either graphics or fashion design.

My words of advice to swimmers are to work hard and try your best. Always have a goal in mind, and try your hardest to achieve it.

My name is Brynna Mering and I have been swimming with Riptide for 12 years. This is my first year coaching, and I really enjoy encouraging swimmers to work hard. I love watching as their hard work turns into improvements in both practices and meets.

I will be a senior at Baraboo High School this fall and plan on going to college to study something science-related.

My name is Michael Prochaska and I have been with the Riptide for 9 years. I have been swimming for 9 years and also swim on the High School Boys Swim Team. I will be a senior at Baraboo High School this year and plan to attend college, possibly the Milwaukee School of Engineering, for a career in Engineering. This summer, in addition to coaching Riptide, I also work as a lifeguard at the Baraboo Indoor Pool. In my free time I like to run, shoot hoops, go hiking, and be with my family. I love to be active. The best thing I like about coaching is being with the kids and watching them improve each day. My advice to swimmers is to practice hard. You can never expect to become better if you don’t put your time and effort into the practices.

My name is Emily O’Rourke and I have been swimming with Riptide for 12 years. It is my first year coaching and what I love best about coaching is working with all the kids and seeing how much fun they have. I love to help them improve and it is very rewarding watching them succeed.

My favorite stroke is the Backstroke and I love the energy and excitement of being on relay teams. I swam for four years in High School and went to State all four years, placing 5th and 6th in the Backstroke, and placing 4th my sophomore year in the Medley Relay, along with teammates and fellow coaches Emily Thompson and Shannon Keeling.

In addition to coaching this summer, I work as a lifeguard at the Baraboo Indoor Pool, and am working out to get ready to play basketball on a scholarship to University of South Carolina – Aiken where I will be a freshman this fall, majoring in psychology/sports medicine. In my free time, I like to play basketball, sleep, paint my nails, and cook. My advice to swimmers is to work hard every day and give it your all, because it is worth it in the end.

Sarah Livingston

My name is Sarah Livingston and I have been swimming with the Riptide for 13 years. This is my second year coaching the 8 & Unders and my favorite part of coaching is watching them improve and achieve personal goals. It is amazing to watch the swimmers who can barely cross the pool transition to be fantastic swimmers.

I am currently a sophomore at Viterbo University in LaCrosse, and I plan on becoming a registered nurse, and maybe a nurse practitioner. One of my all-time favorite hobbies is to bake – it is definitely a stress-reliever, especially at school. I also enjoy lifeguarding and teaching lessons at the Baraboo Indoor Pool. I love to waterski, tube, swim and spend lots of time at our family cabin.

My advice to swimmers is to work hard, take into consideration your coaches’ advice, push yourself to your limit, don’t give up and most of all – have fun! It’s hard to improve if your heart isn’t into it,so try to enjoy yourself, and don’t take things too seriously.