Sprang to step down

After leading the Shenandoah Marlins Aquatic Club to a complete turnaround, coach Ryan Sprang will be leaving the team after next weekend’s Virginia Swimming Age Group Championships in Newport News.

“This has been an unbelievable experience,” Sprang said. “It was more than I could hope for. When I started, I just wanted an opportunity to coach. I got so much out of that deal, more then Waynesboro did. It was such a blessing to be a part off that transformation. I was proud to be a part of that.”

In his three-year stay with the Waynesboro Family YMCA swim team, Sprang saw enrollment numbers triple. SMAC has also broken nearly 150 team records and this year saw more than 10 swimmers achieve state rankings.

Taking over the team in 2006, Sprang said that he never could have imagined the support SMAC received from the community.

“Just everything, not only our performance but the work ethic of the swimmers and the dedication in the community, I couldn’t have predicted this,” he said.

YMCA Executive Director Jeff Fife said that Sprang redefined Waynesboro swimming.

“He changed the culture and in just three years, that’s hard to do,” Fife said. “When Ryan came in here, he really needed to change the culture. He didn’t have to go from scratch, but we needed a little more. Ryan is one of those unique coaches that you are not going to replace. We are not going to ask the new coach to fill [Sprang’s] shoes, but bring his own.”

Sprang is leaving the team because his wife has been assigned an internship in Hershey, Pa., that can not be completed anywhere else in the country.

“We were hoping that maybe it would be closer,” he said.

During his tenure, Sprang said that his view of success in swimming changed.

“To see kids go from a casual swimmer, going to practice whenever they could, to the committed kids we have at Waynesboro that are dedicated to reach their full potential and stand with their SMAC t-shirts on with their heads held high, that’s success. That’s something I thank the people from Waynesboro for.”

Sprang said that he doesn’t have any coaching plans lined up yet, but hopes to continue his career and will use the lessons he learned in Waynesboro where ever he goes.

“I see Waynesboro as a integral part in my overall development,” he said.

Fife said that the YMCA has already begun its national search for Sprang’s replacement and hopes to have someone in place soon.

“We have narrowed the field down to a couple of very strong candidates,” Fife said.