Top Pupils to Follow Stoddard

Barely a week after he lost his job as the head coach for Rose Bowl Aquatics, Terry Stoddard created a new position for himself, and he’s taking most of his best swimmers with him.

Stoddard said Thursday that he is starting the Pasadena Aquatic Club and will hold workouts at Blair High.

“We don’t have a lot of money, but we’re hoping for support from the community,” Stoddard said.

He already has support from his high school swimmers. Four of the region’s best--Jennifer Parmenter of Granada Hills, Heather Boylan of Saugus, Kenny Carpenter of Crescenta Valley and Joel Everman of Notre Dame--all said they will join Stoddard and his new club. All four had swam for Rose Bowl, competed in the U.S. Senior National meet and won at least one Southern Section title.

“It was a tough decision, but I’ve decided to stay with Terry,” said Boylan, who signed with USC. “He got me to the level where I am now.”

Boylan and Parmenter switched from Canyons Aquatics to Rose Bowl two years ago to work with Stoddard. Each has won four individual section titles the last two years and Parmenter has won several national titles. Everman won two Division II titles in 1997 and Carpenter was second in two events in the Division II finals last year.

On Jan. 13, Stoddard’s position at Rose Bowl Aquatics was eliminated in a cost-cutting move, two days before an important Q-meet in Long Beach. The meet serves as the major qualifier for the U.S National and Junior National meets this spring.

That night, nearly 30 swimmers and parents gathered at Stoddard’s house to vent their frustration.

“As an employee, I understand that these things happen and I can accept it,” Stoddard said.

“The tough part was it was right before the Q-meet and kids were upset.”

Stoddard attended the Q-meet as an unattached coach before deciding to start his own club.

Parmenter, who has missed several workouts because of illness and an injured wrist, did not swim in the Q-meet, but said she plans to get back to a regular practice schedule.

Carly Geehr of La Canada, who qualified for the Pan Pacific Games as a 12-year-old, is staying with Rose Bowl, said her mother, J.T.