Chase Creek Swimming Prepares for the Season

Chase Creek Swim Team opens its season Saturday and if any kids are nervous, they can take heart that the new coach knows how they feel.

“It’s always scary going to a brand new work environment, but the people here have completely eliminated any nervousness, worries or concerns I may have had,” said Jill Springer, new head coach of the Chase Creek Swim Team. “It is better than expected.”

The 95 swimmers come mostly from Winchester-on-the-Severn and Pines-on-the-Severn communities in Annapolis. Springer said the team has welcomed her whole-heartedly and she is excited to get this season going.

“We have had two fantastic weeks of practice so far,” she said. “It’s probably one of the best season beginnings I have ever had.”

Team members are equally enthusiastic about Springer.

"I knew of Jill’s capabilities and knew that she was a terrific swimmer,” said Paige Bauman, Chase Creek's league representative and a team parent. “When we heard that she may be available to coach this summer, our team jumped at the chance to get her on board. So far, she has exceeded our expectations. We look forward to a successful season with her as our leader."

The funny thing is, Springer planned to take the summer off from coaching. Her family moved to Davidsonville last year and she was hoping to get to know Annapolis better this summer.

Then her stellar reputation preceded her.

“It just sort of happened when talking with a friend one day,” Springer added. “Then I spent some time talking with Emily Decker (from Chase Creek) and I decided this was the thing to do.”

Springer has been around pools since she was four years old. She swam for North Baltimore Aquatic Club, Catonsville YMCA and Towson University. She is an accomplished Masters swimmer and holds five national top ten rankings and a YMCA Masters national record. She is a veteran Great Chesapeake Bay Swim participant and next year hopes to swim the 4.4-mile race with her mother and son. She has coached swimming for 21 years including the last 13 summers with the West Howard Swim Team in the Central Maryland Swim League.

“There are 52 teams competing in several divisions," Springer said of that league. “Our team was 180 to 225 kids. Here it is a completely different feel with a smaller pool and team and league. I like the small community feel.”

Chase Creek competes in the eight-team East Severna Park League. It is the lone team in Annapolis while four others are on the east side of Ritchie Highway in Severna Park and three are just north of Mountain Road. Chase Creek first swims at home against North Cape Arthur which last year beat Chase Creek by a mere 10 points.

“I am very excited about starting our season,” Springer said. “My major emphasis is good stroke mechanics and not just running swimmers up and down the pool as much as possible. “

Helping Springer is assistant coach and long-time team member Kaleigh Whitesel. “She has been really great and a huge help to me with memorizing everyone’s name,” Springer said. “She is also still swimming on the team this year.”