Dickemann Named SCST Head Coach

We want to share with you the exciting news that Lead Coach Michelle Dickemann will be transitioning to be the Head Coach of the Sun Coast Swim Team.

Mr. Gatton has been offered a teaching position in Inverness that will bring him closer to home.  In addition, this will allow him more time to devote to his lovely wife, Mrs. Gayle. Mr. Gatton will continue to be on deck throughout the summer and also plans to be cheering at future swim meets. SCST has grown tremendously both in size and success under Mr. Gatton and while he will not be far, we will miss seeing him on deck daily. Thank you, Mr. Gatton, for all you have done for our SCST family.  You will forever be a Pine Owl!

Coach Dickemann is no stranger to SCST. In addition to SCST, Coach “D” has over 40 years of swimming and coaching experience that includes USA Swimming and high school and collegiate swim teams. In 2021, Coach Dickemann was named by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association’s list of the 100 greatest women’s swimmers and divers of the past century.  She became the first female from Springfield, MO to win a high school state championship. She went on to a collegiate career at the College of the Ozarks and then Drury University. She earned 21 NAIA All-American honors, capturing 14 national championships and setting records in each of her winning events. Dickemann earned NAIA Most Valuable Swimmer in 1984 and 1985 when she scored enough points at the national meets for Drury to finish 8th and 10th, respectively, as a team of one. Dickemann was inducted into the NAIA Swimming Hall of Fame as well as the Drury and Springfield Area Sports Halls of Fame. In 2018 Dickemann was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Sun Coast Swim Team swimmers will continue to have highly qualified Coaches Penn and Dyer on deck to assist Coach D.  Our SCST Board of Directors will continue to support our coaches and swim families  wherever needed.

In addition to becoming the Head coach for Sun Coast Swim Team, Coach D has also accepted a coaching position for the Crystal River High School Swim Team.  Congratulations Coach D, we know that both SCST and CRHS swim teams will thrive with you as their Coach.