Head Coach Dan Lake

Dan has been involved in the sport of swimming for over 40 years as an athlete and coach. Before coming to the Riptide in 2024 he was responsible for the starting of a new program in Colorado. Withing the first two years the team placed second in the small team division at the 2023 Long Course Championships as well as having two individual state champions and qualifying swimmers for Zones and Sectionals. Additionally, he coached High School Swimming and Diving in Iowa for over 20 years guiding his teams to three top five finishes, a State Championship Medley Relay and two Individual State Champions. He has been the Head Coach for two Iowa USA Swim Clubs where he increased the number of swimmers on each team annually as well as the number of Championship meet qualifiers. Coach Lake was the Director of Aquatics at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines overseeing all aquatic operations for four seasons. He has had several athletes move on to successful collegiate careers and become swimming coaches themselves. Coach Lake is a certified USA and ASCA coach.

 

Senior Assistant Coach Justin Crouch

 

Coach Justin Crouch grew up in the Des Moines area and is son of former Dowling Catholic High School Swimming Coach Mark Crouch.  Justin grew up around swimming and participated in multiple sports in high school at Dowling Catholic.  Upon graduation from high school, Justin got involved with coaching at the club level as an assistant at the Des Moines Swim Federation and eventually assistant coaching high school swimming at Dowling Catholic.

 
In 2005, Justin became head coach of the Ottumwa High School Boys and Girls swim team.  He led the boys team to two top ten finishes at the High School State Meet in three season as head coach.  In 2008, Justin took over as head swimming coach of Ankeny High School.  As head coach at Ankeny, he led the team to consistent top five and ten finishes with a state championship in 2019. Justin was the Iowa High School state coach of the year in 2019.  He has coached multiple individual state champion athletes and relays as well as swimmers that have qualified for All-American status.  Justin resigned from high school coaching in Ankeny in 2023 to focus on family.
 
Coach Justin Crouch currently lives in Ankeny with supportive wife, Bethany.  They have three kids: Isabella, who will be a freshman on the Dowling Catholic High School swim team in the fall of 2023.  Ingrid, who will be in 5th grade in 2023 and will participate on the Riptide swim team.  Isaiah, who will also be in 5th grade, participates in football with the Greater Des Moines Catholic Football League.  We also love our Shih Tzu named Fluffy.

 

TEAM COACHES

The Dowling Catholic Riptide Swim Club coaching staff is comprised of former competitive swimmers who supervise, counsel and teach our team members. Our coaches have a wealth of experience and knowledge they are eager to share with the Riptide Swimmers!

 
 
 
Coach Stephanie Duis

Steph was a part of the Bett Swim Club from ages 5-18 and was a Varsity swimmer for Pleasant Valley High School as well as being a Captain her senior year. She was a swim teacher and lifeguard while attending the University of Iowa for Recreation Therapy.  After college she continued to teach swim lessons to adults and children and helped to coach the 8 and unders for Pleasant Valley Stingrays for a season. She loves swimming and her heart has always been a part of the swimming world.  You will find Coach Steph working with all age groups with most of her time coaching Level 1.

 

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Coach Leo Duffy

 

Leo swam for Riptide in both middle school and highschool.  He also swam for the Dowling High School team and was a team captain his senior year.  Leo joined the Riptide coaching staff in 2020. He’s happy to be back at Dowling to help swimmers give 100% effort and accomplish their goals.  Leo coaches all the practice groups and enjoys working with kids of all levels.  When Leo isn't coaching he is a high school English teacher in Bondurant.  

Leo’s Favorite Events: 100 Butterfly and 50 Freestyle.

 

Coach Maria Eure

 

 

Coach Mercedies Steinkamp