Former Burnet coach named head of Nitro Swimming at YMCA
FROM STAFF REPORTS
BURNET — Steve Ham will be the head of Nitro Swimming’s program at the YMCA of the Highland Lakes at Galloway-Hammond.
“Steve is excited to make this program successful,” said Nitro owner Mike Koleber.
Ham started the Burnet Swim Club and the Burnet High School team about two decades ago. His mentor, Julian “Tex” Robertson, was the founder of Camp Longhorn and the first swim coach at the University of Texas.
Ham left coaching to become a principal, retiring last year after 26 years in education. He has lived in Burnet for four decades.
He built the Burnet Swim Club to 100 members and ran the Burnet High School program for 18 years.
As more students became competitive swimmers, Ham saw a need for a pool that allowed year-round training. So he talked to several community leaders, including council members, school board trustees and business leaders, he said. Eventually, those conversations led to the creation of Galloway-Hammond Recreation Center.
Nitro’s assistant coaches are Kate VanBenthuysen and Bryan Everett. Both coached the Burnet Y Summer League Team last summer.
Nitro Swimming, based out of Cedar Park, is ranked in the top five of swim programs by USA Swimming. In addition to its Cedar Park location, Koleber and his wife, Tracy, have a Bee Caves facility.
Swim evaluations and placements for the Burnet location will be conducted at 6 p.m. Aug. 20 and 10 a.m. Aug. 23 and 30 at the YMCA of the Highland Lakes at Galloway-Hammond, 1601 S. Water St.
Email Koleber at mike@nitroswim.com for more information.
jfierro@thepicayune.com