Larson retires as Fremd girls swim coach

Andy Larson, synonymous with Fremd High School and Mid-Suburban League swimming for the past 25 years, has announced his retirement from his position as the girls' head swim coach at the school, effective immediately.

Under Larson's direction, the Vikings' swim program won 7 team sectional championships, producing a total of 56 state swim qualifiers along the way.

That included 40 individual event conference champions (18 different swimmers) and 41 individual event sectional champions (21 different swimmers), and of those state qualifiers, 12 were individual state place winners.

Larson coached four All-Americans and was named sectional coach of the year five times during his career.

"Andy is an intelligent and hardworking gentleman who always put the needs of his student-athletes first," said Palatine swim coach and District 211 colleague Ed Richardson. "His knowledge of stroke mechanics and how to get athletes to understand them is second to none.

"District 211 and Fremd High School are losing a hardworking and knowledgeable professional who was good for our athletes. He will be missed in the swimming community."

Larson's will continue to teach in Fremd's social studies department.