Longtime Newton Colfax-Mingo Pella swim coach Sarah Patterson is still impacting the boys swimming program, according to current coach Lucas Warner.

Warner was an assistant coach under Patterson for one year before becoming the boys head coach. He’s now in his second year leading the program, and credits Patterson with doing an incredible job of preparing him for the position. 

“At first I was a little stubborn about not wanting to be the head coach quite yet, because I did not have the swimming background she had. But she really built up the confidence in me, knowing that I can take on this program. She taught me so much about how to teach these kids to be the best they can be.”

Patterson came to Newton after graduating from Iowa State and spent 32 years in the district teaching high school English and coaching boys and girls swimming. She even coached high school track and field for one season, and was a member of the coaching staff for girls wrestling in 2021. She retired from the Newton School District in May 2023.  

Warner and the Newton boys swim team will get back to competing Thursday night when they host Grinnell and Marshalltown at the Newton YMCA.