{"id":2443224,"date":"2019-04-20T19:20:00","date_gmt":"2019-04-21T01:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/olympian-tom-jager-wife-becky-take-over-as-aspen-swim-club-coaches\/"},"modified":"2019-04-20T19:20:00","modified_gmt":"2019-04-21T01:20:00","slug":"olympian-tom-jager-wife-becky-take-over-as-aspen-swim-club-coaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/local-news\/olympian-tom-jager-wife-becky-take-over-as-aspen-swim-club-coaches\/","title":{"rendered":"Olympian Tom Jager, wife Becky, take over as Aspen Swim Club coaches"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery\" readability=\"6.8531073446328\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-304485-825\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Aspen Swim Club coaches Tom Jager, left, and Becky Jager pose for a photo during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\" class=\"h-100\">\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\" readability=\"9\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1.jpg\" alt=\"Aspen Swim Club coaches Tom Jager, left, and Becky Jager pose for a photo during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"13\">\n<p><strong>Aspen Swim Club coaches Tom Jager, left, and Becky Jager pose for a photo during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Aspen Swim Club coach Tom Jager waves at a young swimmer during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\" class=\"h-100\">\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\" readability=\"8\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Aspen Swim Club coach Tom Jager waves at a young swimmer during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11\">\n<p><strong>Aspen Swim Club coach Tom Jager waves at a young swimmer during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-2.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Aspen Swim Club coach Tom Jager guides practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\" class=\"h-100\">\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\" readability=\"7.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-2.jpg\" alt=\"Aspen Swim Club coach Tom Jager guides practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>Aspen Swim Club coach Tom Jager guides practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-3.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Aspen Swim Club coach Becky Jager gives instructions during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\" class=\"h-100\">\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\" readability=\"7.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-3.jpg\" alt=\"Aspen Swim Club coach Becky Jager gives instructions during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>Aspen Swim Club coach Becky Jager gives instructions during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-4-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-4.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Aspen Swim Club coaches Tom Jager and Becky Jager talk to swimmers during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\" class=\"h-100\">\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\" readability=\"8\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-4.jpg\" alt=\"Aspen Swim Club coaches Tom Jager and Becky Jager talk to swimmers during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11\">\n<p><strong>Aspen Swim Club coaches Tom Jager and Becky Jager talk to swimmers during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-5.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times | Aspen Swim Club coach Becky Jager listens to a swimmer talk during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\" class=\"h-100\">\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\" readability=\"8\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/04\/Jager-atd-042119-1-5.jpg\" alt=\"Aspen Swim Club coach Becky Jager listens to a swimmer talk during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"11\">\n<p><strong>Aspen Swim Club coach Becky Jager listens to a swimmer talk during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).<\/strong><br \/>Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/olympian-tom-jager-wife-becky-take-over-as-aspen-swim-club-coaches\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/olympian-tom-jager-wife-becky-take-over-as-aspen-swim-club-coaches\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText DropCap\">After a lifetime in and around the pool, retirement wasn\u2019t quite as eventful as Tom and Becky Jager may have envisioned. So, after only nine months away, they decided to get back into it by taking over as the coaches of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teamunify.com\/Home.jsp?_tabid_=0&amp;team=coasc\">Aspen Swim Club<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe\u2019ve been married 30-something years and that was the first time we didn\u2019t have a team we were responsible for and lo and behold we missed being part of it,\u201d Becky said earlier this month from their home in Glenwood Springs. \u201cIt\u2019s a different ball game. This is the happy, beautiful side of swimming. That\u2019s refreshing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Jagers began coaching the team this spring, taking over for Gordon Gerson, who was pushing a decade as the club\u2019s coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/boggs-eighth-at-sectional-swim-meet-in-gersons-farewell\/\">before deciding to step away<\/a>. A cardiologist in the Roaring Fork Valley, Gerson wanted more time with the family and stumbled upon the perfect replacements in the Jagers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Over the course of a handful of months, Gerson and the swim club\u2019s board, which is predominantly made of parents of the swimmers, convinced the Jagers to take over. It was quite the find, considering their impressive background in the sport.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt was great to have a year off. For us, swimming has always been a part of our lives,\u201d Tom said. \u201cWhat a great opportunity to have. This is a lot more low key than a (Division I) job. For me, this is natural.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">THE RESUME<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Most recently, Tom had been the head coach for the women\u2019s swim team at Washington State University in Pullman, having taken over the program prior to the 2011-12 season. <a href=\"https:\/\/swimswam.com\/olympian-tom-jager-out-as-head-coach-at-washington-state\/\">He officially left in June<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Prior to coaching the Cougars, Tom had restarted the swim team at the University of Idaho, in nearby Moscow. The Jagers also had owned their own club team and know plenty about coaching at all levels, and certainly have an affinity for the mountain lifestyle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe just saw a lot of similarities with that type of community feel with the Aspen program, and that\u2019s a tribute to Gordon and those parents,\u201d Becky said. \u201cThey are connected through the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Becky, who was a college history professor, also moonlighted as a swim coach. Her background is impressive in its own right, including when she helped coach Tom when he was at his peak. One of the most decorated swimmers in U.S. history, Tom won seven Olympic medals, including five gold medals in relay events, dating back to his first in the 1984 games. He also competed in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWhat I felt I learned from the sport of swimming is the process is important,\u201d Tom said. \u201cIf you want to be good at something, that consistent, daily drive and the focus is really important. Swimming can be that foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">One of the greatest sprinters in American history, Tom broke the long course 50-meter freestyle world record on six occasions. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/World_record_progression_50_metres_freestyle\">His best time of 21.81 seconds<\/a>, set in 1990, held for nearly a decade. He also won two world championships in the event (1986, 1991).<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">A native of Illinois, Tom was a star swimmer at UCLA, where he won six NCAA championships. He\u2019s in the <a href=\"https:\/\/ishof.org\/tom-jager-(usa).html\">International Swimming Hall of Fame.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">HOME SWEET HOME<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Jagers, who have two adult sons, have been coming to the valley most of their lives. They\u2019ve had their home in Glenwood for five years, although prior to retirement only used it sparingly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cMy favorite pool in the world is Glenwood Hot Springs, and I\u2019ve been all over the world and I\u2019ve seen a lot of them,\u201d Tom said with a laugh. \u201cIt seems like a good place for an old guy to retire.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">They learned of the club through their neighbors, whose niece had been a Speedo. It was hardly an instant yes, but over time the idea of returning to coaching grew on them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Then, after getting the chance to coach the swimmers one afternoon as a sort of trial run, the decision was made.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThey were really engaging and super polite,\u201d Becky said of the kids. \u201cThey worked so hard to try and do exactly what we said. They seemed very, very coachable. Clearly Gordon has got them to where they really respect and listen to the coach. So once we met the kids, we were like, \u2018We can do this.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">TAKING OVER<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The program Gerson built over his nine years in charge is undeniably stellar. Despite its small size, the Aspen Swim Club has been able to hold its own against larger clubs, at least in terms of individual talent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">He helped send numerous swimmers to college, including current Aspen High School senior <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/aspen-swimmer-davy-brown-announces-commitment-to-colorado-mesa\/\">Davy Brown<\/a>, who is headed to Colorado Mesa University. Prior to Brown, there was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/aspen-high-senior-to-swim-for-harvard\/\">Kennidy Quist<\/a>, now at Harvard; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/aspen-swimmer-emily-driscoll-headed-to-occidental-for-college\/\">Emily Driscoll<\/a>, now at Occidental College; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/aspen-speedos-swimmer-lj-fetzko-signs-with-hawaii\/\">L.J. Fetzko<\/a>, now at Hawaii; and Kelli Callahan, now at Puget Sound, among others.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Led by Quist, the AHS girls swim team, made with many of the club swimmers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/aspen-high-girls-swim-team-wins-3a-state-title\/\">won the 2017 state championship<\/a> under coach Kathleen Callahan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Not that the Jagers want this to influence what they plan to do.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI don\u2019t want to come in with any preexisting ideas or anything, because that\u2019s in my experience the best way to start a job. Be fresh. Everyone is fresh to us. Everyone has a clean slate, which is great,\u201d Tom said. \u201cWhat Gordon has done in a small town, to build this program up with the swimmers that he has, is really great. We are really appreciative that he would entrust it onto us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Jagers certainly inherit plenty of young talent, including eighth-grader Lillie Boggs, who is proving to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/lillie-boggs-continues-to-shine-for-aspen-swim-club-after-age-group-championships\/\">one of the best long-distance swimmers for her age<\/a> in the state\u2019s history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">However, getting swimmers to college would only be the icing on the cake to the sort of program they hope to run.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIn college, there is a lot of tension. This is my 51st year in swimming, so I get to choose whether I want the tension or not. With kids and swimming, they want to be there,\u201d Tom said. \u201cSome of them go on to be great musicians, great teachers, some of them go on to be great swimmers, but they all have this swimming in common. We enjoy that. It helps both of us. It\u2019s a great opportunity for us to give back and be a part of it and not just drift away into nowhere land. It keeps us connected with the community.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Aspen Swim Club\u2019s first meet with the Jagers will be May 3 to 5 in Thornton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">SO, CAN THEY SKI?<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">It\u2019s an important question when living in the Roaring Fork Valley. Considering they also have a ski condo near Schweitzer Mountain Resort in northern Idaho, the short answer is yes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">At least, Becky is pretty good. Tom\u2019s skills are questionable.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cTom says he is a beginner, but he has been skiing for a long time,\u201d Becky said. \u201cHe just doesn\u2019t enjoy it as much as the rest of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">To which Tom responded, \u201cEveryone needs a good equipment man.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Tagline\"><a href=\"mailto:acolbert@aspentimes.com\">acolbert@aspentimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/sports\/olympian-tom-jager-wife-becky-take-over-as-aspen-swim-club-coaches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: The Aspen Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aspen Swim Club coaches Tom Jager, left, and Becky Jager pose for a photo during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen Recreation Center pool. (Photo by Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times).Austin Colbert\/The Aspen Times Aspen Swim Club coach Tom Jager waves at a young swimmer during practice on April 5, 2019, at the Aspen [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2443224","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-17 01:13:11","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSPN The Valley&#039;s Quality Rock","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443224","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2443224"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443224\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2443224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2443224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2443224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}