After the boys swim team won the state championship and the girls placed second, Coach Jon Leong has earned national recognition for his successful two-decade stint as the Swim Team coach, winning the NFHS Coach of the Year award. This award highlights his 19 state titles won for Poolesville, along with his induction into the Poolesville High School athletics Hall of Fame. 

The Coach of the Year award is given by the National Federation of State High School Associations, the federation leader in high school sports. It is meant to honor coaches who develop their athletes competitively and personally. This award is simply another accolade for the decorated career Coach Leong has had with the swim and dive team, recognizing his character as a coach, not only his numerous wins and championships. The recognition aims to highlight coaches with excellent sportsmanship and leadership, and Leong is one of just two coaches in the county to win.

Leong has built his program on discipline and consistency since his introduction to the team in 2006. He has helped Poolesville to be one of the most dominant teams year after year. After being inducted into the PHS Hall of Fame in 2017, he remains one of the school’s longest-serving and most experienced coaches. He’s gathered a large amount of accolades from his success, including being named 2015 Washington Post All-Met Coach of the Year, and being a two-time recipient of the Allen Murray Coaching Award.

Senior captain James Lawrence, who has swam under Coach Leong for the past 4 years, describes how demanding, yet supportive his coach is everyday at practice.

“He pushes us to be the best we can, and he’s a role model for me and how I live my life even outside the pool,” said Lawrence, who placed second in his individual event last year at the state championship. He says he owes his success to Leong and his disciplined culture.

Lawrence noted how the award is a reflection of his leadership throughout the years and is nothing the team didn’t already know.

“Its amazing he won that award and he’s so deserving of it,” he said. “But I know he cares more about our team’s culture and success; the recognition is just an added bonus.”