HRV fills remaining coaching vacancies

“We’re very excited to have three quality individuals like this join our athletic programs,” Sanders said. “Now that the search is complete, we can focus more on the future.”

DeBorde is no stranger to the HRV golf program, having coached for years before taking last season off. And, while he has a few months to spare before getting back into the golf swing, Nichols and Gunesch will begin learning their jobs very soon as the winter sports season begins in mid-November.

“I’m really excited to start working with high-school age kids again,” said Nichols, who coached at El Camino High School in Carmichael, Calif., for two years, and at San Jose State University for four.

“I enjoy the vitality of kids this age, and I hope I can help them get where they want to go, both with life and in the pool,” she said.

Nichols has also been a Master’s swimmer since 1991, and competes in various national and international meets every year. She learned about the job from Hood River Valley Swim Team coach Shelly Rawding, and after a few weeks of consideration, accepted the position.

Gunesch found out about the position because of her local involvement with the Mt. Hood Mighty Mite Race Team. She has coached youth skiing for four years — two at Mt. Hood, and two at Mammoth Mountain in California.

She takes over a program with a huge tradition of winning at the state level. HRV’s latest triumph was the girls winning the combined state championship in 2002. The goal for 2003 will be the boys and girls combined state title.