Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Hispanic Heritage Month Moment: Ana Cristina Pizarro (Coach P)
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, USA Swimming will celebrate members making an impact. Ana Cristina Pizarro, current head coach at Lake Wales Blue Marlins in Florida Swimming LSC, shares her swimming history, the importance of life skills and how to create inclusive environments.
Coach P’s Background in Swimming
Ana Cristina Pizarro, or Coach P as her swimmers call her, grew up in Puerto Rico.
“I started swimming when I was in middle school with a club in Bayamon, Puerto Rico,” Coach P said. “I also had the opportunity to swim for the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon until transferring to a different campus.”
After transferring to a larger campus to attend University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, Coach P decided to take time off swimming competitively and focus on her academics. However, her love for the sport was always there.
While earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Coach P taught swim lessons on the side. Once she started her doctoral program at Ponce Health Science University, she and her fiancé decided to get married.
“With my husband joining the Armed Forces, we had to move. Our first duty station was in Junction City, Kansas, and that’s when I saw the opportunity to give back to the sport I had loved for so many years.”
Coach P soon became the assistant coach at Junction City High School.
“While it was an amazing opportunity, it was a challenging one as it was my first year coaching a team that didn’t speak Spanish. Explaining my drills in English, especially when trying to correct a technique issue, was definitely an adventure.”
Coach P did not let that stop her from making lasting impacts and relationships with her swimmers.
“I left the fear behind and focused on building relationships where the swimmers could feel comfortable and willing to work with me and the language barrier. While my time with the Blue Jays was short, as you can imagine with military changes, it motivated me to continue coaching, no matter what barriers got in the way.”
In 2018, two years after her husband left active duty, they moved to Florida where Coach P started as the head coach for Lake Wales High School. She saw an appetite for a year-round program, and in 2019, started the Blue Marlins.
“Starting the club was a dream come true! It has opened many doors for me to continue growing as a coach. It has given me the opportunity to meet amazing coaches such as (Anthony) Nesty and (Ray) Looze.”
Although starting a club has been a mostly positive experience, it hasn’t come without its own set of obstacles.
“We have faced many challenges such as Covid, a non-heated pool, a broken pump, you name it. However, God has blessed me with a team/family that doesn’t give up to any adversity. We have continued to grow and one of current goals is to find a heated facility where we can expand our program to more families in Polk County, especially those who might need a bilingual coach.”
Coach P’s Focus on Life Skills
“Throughout my coaching career, I have learned the importance of staying on top of current research and learning from those who have more experience.”
Coach P has been a member of ASCA since 2019 and has completed her Level 3 certification. Additionally, she is currently finishing her doctoral program in Educational Leadership.
“Everyone that knows me can tell you I am eager to learn and look for every opportunity to expand my knowledge as a coach. Not only to make my athletes better in the water, but to help them be the best version of themselves.”
Coach P believes life skills are important, so at Blue Marlins, they develop skills athletes need beyond the pool. One example is through Educational Monday’s, where swimmers have to present on a predetermined topic.
“I assign a topic to a group of swimmers, and they have a few days to make a presentation based on some guideline questions. Once they have it, I review, and they present it to the rest of the team. Topics vary from stroke techniques to communication skills. During those presentations we practice eye contact, body language, tone of voice, engagement skills, etc. It is one of my favorite things to do with my athletes.”
Coach P and Inclusivity
“To me, being inclusive is being respectful and appreciating and learning from others differences and characteristics. It’s learning to grow and allow yourself to learn and focus on something positive about each one of the people around you. Is it easy? No. But it is one of the most amazing things we can do to be better as an individual and as a collective.”
Creating an inclusive environment has helped shape the culture of the Blue Marlins.
“All of my swimmers and even my swim parents can tell you that I don’t coach a team, I coach a family. As with every family, we won’t always have the same perspective or the same view regarding a topic or situation. However, we learn to love and respect each other no matter how different we can be. So far, that is how it has been every year I coach. I am blessed to call my club my family.”
How can others create inclusive environments? Coach P has some words of advice:
“Give yourself the opportunity to get to know others from different cultures, races, etc. Understanding our differences is what makes us stronger and adds value to what we can offer to everyone around us. Respecting and focusing on the positive each person can bring to the table will help us create more inclusive environments.”
Coach P’s Background in Swimming
Ana Cristina Pizarro, or Coach P as her swimmers call her, grew up in Puerto Rico.
“I started swimming when I was in middle school with a club in Bayamon, Puerto Rico,” Coach P said. “I also had the opportunity to swim for the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon until transferring to a different campus.”
After transferring to a larger campus to attend University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, Coach P decided to take time off swimming competitively and focus on her academics. However, her love for the sport was always there.
While earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Coach P taught swim lessons on the side. Once she started her doctoral program at Ponce Health Science University, she and her fiancé decided to get married.
“With my husband joining the Armed Forces, we had to move. Our first duty station was in Junction City, Kansas, and that’s when I saw the opportunity to give back to the sport I had loved for so many years.”
Coach P soon became the assistant coach at Junction City High School.
“While it was an amazing opportunity, it was a challenging one as it was my first year coaching a team that didn’t speak Spanish. Explaining my drills in English, especially when trying to correct a technique issue, was definitely an adventure.”
Coach P did not let that stop her from making lasting impacts and relationships with her swimmers.
“I left the fear behind and focused on building relationships where the swimmers could feel comfortable and willing to work with me and the language barrier. While my time with the Blue Jays was short, as you can imagine with military changes, it motivated me to continue coaching, no matter what barriers got in the way.”
In 2018, two years after her husband left active duty, they moved to Florida where Coach P started as the head coach for Lake Wales High School. She saw an appetite for a year-round program, and in 2019, started the Blue Marlins.
“Starting the club was a dream come true! It has opened many doors for me to continue growing as a coach. It has given me the opportunity to meet amazing coaches such as (Anthony) Nesty and (Ray) Looze.”
Although starting a club has been a mostly positive experience, it hasn’t come without its own set of obstacles.
“We have faced many challenges such as Covid, a non-heated pool, a broken pump, you name it. However, God has blessed me with a team/family that doesn’t give up to any adversity. We have continued to grow and one of current goals is to find a heated facility where we can expand our program to more families in Polk County, especially those who might need a bilingual coach.”
Coach P’s Focus on Life Skills
“Throughout my coaching career, I have learned the importance of staying on top of current research and learning from those who have more experience.”
Coach P has been a member of ASCA since 2019 and has completed her Level 3 certification. Additionally, she is currently finishing her doctoral program in Educational Leadership.
“Everyone that knows me can tell you I am eager to learn and look for every opportunity to expand my knowledge as a coach. Not only to make my athletes better in the water, but to help them be the best version of themselves.”
Coach P believes life skills are important, so at Blue Marlins, they develop skills athletes need beyond the pool. One example is through Educational Monday’s, where swimmers have to present on a predetermined topic.
“I assign a topic to a group of swimmers, and they have a few days to make a presentation based on some guideline questions. Once they have it, I review, and they present it to the rest of the team. Topics vary from stroke techniques to communication skills. During those presentations we practice eye contact, body language, tone of voice, engagement skills, etc. It is one of my favorite things to do with my athletes.”
Coach P and Inclusivity
“To me, being inclusive is being respectful and appreciating and learning from others differences and characteristics. It’s learning to grow and allow yourself to learn and focus on something positive about each one of the people around you. Is it easy? No. But it is one of the most amazing things we can do to be better as an individual and as a collective.”
Creating an inclusive environment has helped shape the culture of the Blue Marlins.
“All of my swimmers and even my swim parents can tell you that I don’t coach a team, I coach a family. As with every family, we won’t always have the same perspective or the same view regarding a topic or situation. However, we learn to love and respect each other no matter how different we can be. So far, that is how it has been every year I coach. I am blessed to call my club my family.”
How can others create inclusive environments? Coach P has some words of advice:
“Give yourself the opportunity to get to know others from different cultures, races, etc. Understanding our differences is what makes us stronger and adds value to what we can offer to everyone around us. Respecting and focusing on the positive each person can bring to the table will help us create more inclusive environments.”