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Introducing: Coach Rich Flores Here is his background. Just watch out for his dry humor...

Directly involved with competitive swimming, as competitor, coach and father, for 50+ years
As a swimmer, competed for 14 years, ages 8-22, beginning in Cuba, my native country and finishing in the US when I graduated from college.
Accomplishments as swimmer:

Cuban Age Group National Champion at 9 ('59) and 10 ('60) years of age;
Selected as a member of the Cuban National Team to participate in first ever age group 1960 Pan-American games held in Jamaica. Unfortunately the new government, which only the year before had gained power via a revolution, was just learning how to run a country, had no money and was afraid that many athletes would defect, so they called the trip off.
In the US, as age grouper 12-14) was among top 5-6 breastrokers in state; While in HS (14-17) swam for the West Hartford Swim Club (my HS did not have a team) in the old Cornerstone pool under the legendary David Tyler. During HS was among top 3 breaststrokers in state. During my Sr. year won the very prestigious, HTFD Times Tournament of Champions Winter and Summer meets, where the best swimmers in the state competed.
Attended Central Ct. State College ('67-'71), where I swam all four years, attaining All-America status my sophomore year. Achieved a personal won/loss record of 21 first and 2 second placesin my event, 200 breast, during three years of varsity competition. Finished among top 6 at New England Championships each of my 3 varsity years held schools, held School's 100 and 200 breaststroke RECORDS for several years, since broken. Was team Captain and Most Outstanding Swimmer my senior years.

Coaching experience ('67-'78): Head Coach of several age group teams (AAU/USA/REC) in the Hartford area, ranging in size from 60 to 120 swimmers. With an overall philosophy of working as hard as possible to achieve best times while having some fun and enjoying great team camaraderie, ultimately led various teams to respective league championship. All dedicated swimmers (and some not) improved their times, some significantly. Coached E. Hartford's Penney High School ('75-78). Within one year my swimmers had broken 90% of all existing school records Won conference championship my second year. Helped several swimmers achieve All-State status. Helped all swimmers including some from novice level to beome very competitive within one year. Helped several elite swimmers to improve and be recruited by Div. I schools, U of Miami (FLA), UCONN. UCONN swimmer developed from mediocre to varsity record holder at Penney and UCONN.
Experience as Swimming Parent; Taught my 2 kids to swim at 6 mos. old. Informally, taught and coached them on latest techniques. Both were ranked among top 3 in state at various times during age group careers. Daughter was USA state breast champ at 12 years. Both won State Class HS meets, both HS All-State for several years, both missed HS ALL-America designation by less than a second, both holders of numerous varsity records, some of which will be very difficult to break. Both swam in college, son Div. I (big mistake), daughter is still swimming Div. III (learned from our mistakes). Daughter holder of one college varsity record, currently ranked 3rd in NESCAC conference in her specialty, 200 breast, while working very hard academically and enjoying the college social life to the fullest.
Founding member of current Cornerstones competitive swimming programs/teams. (WAVES), Rec and USA. Helped teams grow from 10 members to approximately 200 in 14 year tenure (1990-2004). Helped all swimmers improve optimally within their physical ability, ambition, dedication, maturity etc. Numerous swimmers became, CT. Age group champs, public HS State Champs., Prep Schools State champs. Many swam successfully at college level, including Stanford, Princeton, Emory, Middlebury, Amherst, etc. One team member recorded fastest 100 breast yd time ever by a 10 year old.