The coaching staff for the Des Plaines River Racers Swim Team has been carefully selected to meet the needs of the club. Our coaches are dedicated to working with swimmers no matter what level they are at to make them the very best they can be. We welcome and encourage any and all comments to be shared with the coaching staff in an effort to establish the best direction for the team.
    | Mike Tuntland, Director of Aquatic Operations Swim Team Head Coach mike@dpswim.org Swim Team Head Coach Mike Tuntland is the founding Head Coach of Des Plaines Swimming which operates the River Racers Swim Team. Coach Tuntland has spent many years planning and developing swimming programs in the Des Plaines area. Growing up in Des Plaines and attending and swimming for Maine West High School, he recognized as a high school student the need for competitive swim programs in order to help feed the high schools. Prior to starting the River Racers, Coach Tuntland was the founding Head Coach of the Ducks Swim Team opearted by the Des Plaines Park District. He also was an assistant coach for Olympia Country Swimmers in Stanford, IL. Currently, Coach Tuntland teaches full time at Saint Mary School in Buffalo Grove and is the Head Coach for the Men's Diving Program. He graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Middle Level Education and is a certified teacher. Coach Tuntland says he never wants an athlete to regret not trying something, which is why he wants EVERY kid to have the opportunity to swim competitively. Rob Ramoska, Varsity, Senior Assistant Coach rob@dpswim.org Dr. Rob Ramoska has a decorated and extensive swimming career. Swimming since he was a little boy, he is very familiar with USA Swimming programs and has particiapted at every level of competition short of the Olympics Games. Coach Ramoska swam for Fenwick High School and went on to swim at the University of Alabama under Coach Donald Gambril. His love for the sport was only reinforced by meeting some of the countries most-respected coaches of the time. To date, several state records are still held by Coach Ramoska - even some area pool records! Coach Ramoska works professionally as a podiatric surgeon and has worked as an ER physician at the Edgewater Medical Center. Coach Ramoska has only one goal - that is to qualify as many swimmers as he can for the highest level of comeptition that he can. Terry Majewski, Junior Varsity/Varsity, Age Group/Senior Assistant Coach terry@dpswim.org Coach Terry Majewski has been associated with swimming his entire life. He swam in high school and has been associated with USA Swimming programs for over twenty-five years. He also has coached for various high schools including Stevenson, Saint Pat's, and the Head Coach for Resurrection High School. He was also the Head Coach for the Park Ridge Swim Club prior to their merge with the River Racers. Coach Terry has worked very hard to ensure that swimming is considered an imporatnt sport in the Des Plaines/Park Ridge areas. Coach Terry also works to maintain the highest standard as he coaches - he continually attends clinics and education program put out by USA Swimming. Mina Fitzsimons, Junior Racers, Age Group Assistant Coach mina@dpswim.org Coach Mina Fitzsimons also has a long career around the water. In college, she was named All-American and MVP and held many school records. Currently, Coach Mina works full-time at Lutheran General Hospital as an Occupational Therapist. She holds a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy and Physical Education along with a Bachelors in Psychology. Her coaching experiences have included some time with the Arlington Alligators, River Trails Park District, Morton Grove Park District, and Park Ridge Swim Club. Mr. Mike Pennett, Age Group Assistant Coach mikep@dpswim.org Coach Mike Pennett is a 2006 graduate of Maine West. He spent some time caoching at the Des Plaines Park District. He brings a wealth of knowledge of teaching younger swimmers through his experiences teaching swimming lessons for various organizations. Ms. Lisa Rauschert, Age Group Assistant Coach lisa@dpswim.org Coach Lisa Rauschert is making her coaching debut with the Des Plaines River Racers. But she is no stranger to swimming in the Des Plaines area. She graduated from Maine West High School and attended Carthage College where she swam all eight years. Currently Coach Rauschert attends Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science where she she attends Medical School. |