Features & Highlights
Happy Retirement to BHS Swim Coach, Judy Rusaw!
We want to wish Judy the very best in her next adventure! Coach Rusaw has been with the Beaverton High School swim team for the last 11 years – 3 as an assistant and 8 as the head coach. Prior to BHS, Judy lead the Hillsboro HS swim team for 24 years. In her tenure at BHS, Judy has coached her share of top-notch athletes, as well, she has stockpiled quite a collection of awards. In fact, Coach Rusaw and BHS were represented at the State Meet each year she coached.
Below is a message from Coach Rusaw about what she loved most about coaching.
Having BHS represented at the State Meet every year of my tenure was so rewarding. We had strong boy’s teams and always had several boys in individual events and at least 2 relays. We had a BHS district and state champion and an All American in Van Mathias which helped put Beaverton back on the swimming map. A very special highlight was qualifying the girls 200 free relay to state in 2017 and 2018. It was the first time in over 20 years BHS had a girls relay qualify for state. Having a strong rapport with club swimmers was always a positive thing for the entire BHS program. Having been a club coach, I knew the commitment it took to swim both high school and club. Among the awards the Judy, herself, earned include Coach of the Year for the Metro League 3 times, multiple State Coach of the Year awards, and Regional Coach of the Year.
Watching novice swimmers become competitive swimmers is always a goal for coaches. We had many swimmers advance every year to competition they thought they could never do. Our District Team dinner was always a highlight each year. We would all dress up and enjoy a night for team bonding before our last meet of the season. Pizza parties, team dinners early in my career at BHS, holiday parties and winter break practices. Grab Bag Fridays and Dairy Queen trips were the best!! Our season ending Awards/Recognition Banquet was a night for me to thank each swimmer for their contribution to the program. I made sure every swimmer knew how important they were to me and to the success of the team. Parents who supported the team by timing and putting on our banquet were recognized. Parents always did an amazing job with the decorations and desserts.
Purchasing new lane lines and flags was such a boost to moral and made hosting meets so much fun! I want to thank our AD, Mike Blok and BHS for your encouragement and support. Thank you to Denise Campbell and Donna Smoot for all your help with all the details of rosters, certificates and paperwork. Thank you to AD Jim Meuwissen for giving me the opportunity to coach at Beaverton in 2009.
All the lasting coach/athlete relationships that I have are priceless. There are so many swimmers who have a special place in my memory/heart that it is
impossible to name them all for fear of leaving someone out. The encouragement, friendship and kind words from parents made my job so enjoyable and helped make tough times easier. Of course, I am so grateful to Joe Schoen for all of his support and hard work. He was phenomenal and greatly appreciated. Thank you to all my assistants over the years. I couldn’t have done this job without you! Nick, Matt M, Nick H, Chris, Will and Lauren.
My time was so very special at BHS. It has been a privilege to wear orange and black and I am so glad I was able to finish my coaching career at Beaverton. Thank you for the support and encouragement over the years. I will always be cheering for the Beavers for continued success in athletics, academics and beyond. GO BEAVERS!
Sincerely,
Judy Rusaw
Swim Coach
Hilhi 1985-2009
Hillsboro Heat 1989-1996
BHS 2009-2020
CONGRATULATIONS JUDY! WE WILL MISS SEEING YOU AT BHS!