Girls swimming and diving: Shuldes steps aside as Willmar's coach

Nov. 18—MINNEAPOLIS — As Aubrey Schueler caps off her junior season in the 50-yard freestyle consolation finals on Friday, Carl Shuldes will also cap off his career as the Willmar head girls swimming and diving coach.

Shuldes tendered his resignation and it was brought to the Willmar School Board in Monday's meeting.

He has been the Cardinals' girls coach since 2003. Shuldes will remain the boys' head swim coach in the winter season.

It was a move the girls team knew about before the start of the season.

"I announced to the parents and the girls at the beginning of the season that this would be my last hurrah, as it were, with the girls team," Shuldes said. "I just feel like the time is right to hand the baton off."

The addition of Hannah Arnold to Shuldes' staff also helped make the decision easier.

"She's done a wonderful job," Shuldes said, "and I don't know if she'll get the head coach job, but I know she definitely has my support in that.

"She's got a lot more energy than I do anymore and she's excited to be coaching. She's got a great rapport with the girls."

During Shuldes' tenure, Willmar finished third in the Central Lakes Conference three times in 2004, '13 and '14. He had 20 swimmers win CLC championships

This season, the Cardinals finished seventh in the nine-team CLC.

Under Shuldes In 2005, Willmar finished sixth at the Class A state championship meet thanks to two runner-up finishes by Dana Guetter in the 50-yard freestyle and 100 freestyle. The Cardinals placed 10th in 2008.

"It just felt like the time was right to step away and turn it over and let somebody else do what they can with the program now," Shuldes said.