By Raven Ramsey
Staff Writer
The Mira Costa swim and dive team will dive into a new season this spring, but this time it will be led by new head coach and Costa alumnus, David Halushka.
Halushka will be coaching alongside Christina Paganelli, Melissa Krauth, Andrea Meek, Mona Stone and Adonis Nahabed. Halushka has worked with the Costa swim team in the past, but never as the head coach.
“The swim team was sad that Coach Ali decided to step down after last season, “ former varsity captain senior Kate Kramer said. “[But] Coach Dave, the new swim coach, is also a waterpolo coach, and he seems nice and I am sure he will bring something valuable to the team.”
Haluska grew up swimming in Manhattan Beach in pools and the ocean. He discovered his love for water sports, and he joined both the swim and water- polo teams during his freshman year at Costa.
“I swam for Surfside Swim Team in the old Costa pool and was a junior lifeguard,” Halushka said. “While at Mira Costa, I was a 4-year member of the swim team and water polo pro- grams.”
In 2005, Halushka returned to Mira Costa to coach the boys and girls varsity waterpolo teams. He also served as the varsity assistant swim coach from 2006 to 2009. In the 2019 season, Ha- lushka was named interim head coach of the Costa boys and girls Waterpolo teams after the previ- ous head coach, Ali Isham, left.
“I love coaching the Mira Costa aquatics programs,” Halushka said. “I sincerely enjoy the process of teaching and helping ath- letes develop the mindset where they see all experiences and, especially losses, as opportunities to learn and grow.”
With the new team this year, Halushka hopes to provide them with a strong sense of communi- ty and an active learning enviro- ment. He also hopes to make the team feel a strong sense of sup- port from himself along with the coaching staff, Halushka said.
“I hope to give my athletes what the Mira Costa aquatics programs gave me: a supportive environment, self confidence, a strong work ethic, a sense of community and the ability to collaborate with and lead others,” Halushka said.
As swim season approaches, Halushka says he is looking for- ward to helping his team hone its skills. He wants to improve team bonding, and emphasize that working as a team is a victory, regardless of the scoreboard.
“I am very excited for this opportunity, and look forward to continuing the tradition and suc- cess that the team has become accustomed to,” Haluska said.
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