WHS Swimming Pool Named in Honor of Swim Coach and Teacher James Elwyn

The Wenatchee School Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution during their October 27th board meeting to rename the Wenatchee High School swimming pool to the “James Elwyn Aquatic Center” in honor of WHS teacher and coach, James Elwyn. 

Elwyn tragically passed away from cancer on June 19, 2020 and was a social studies teacher at Wenatchee High School for 20 years. Elwyn was the Head Coach for the Wenatchee High School Swim Team for the last 16 seasons, transforming the program into a perennial contender in the state.   

Elwyn obtained statewide and local prominence related to his contributions to WHS’s swim program, academics, and its student body. Many members of the community, school district staff, and current and former members of the Wenatchee High School student body requested that the swimming pool facility be named posthumously to acknowledge and honor Elwyn’s substantial contributions in the pool and in the classroom.

“When you watched him, he had a unique ability to make every kid feel important,” said Wenatchee School District Athletic Director Jim Beeson. He was a loving husband to his three children and was dedicated to the many other kids that walked into his classroom or onto the pool deck, said Beeson. Elwyn believed in making students winners in life. 

During an emotional board presentation, Beeson pointed out that, while Elwyn was a humble man, his reputation and notoriety as a force in the world of swimming was well known around the state. 

Highlights From James Elwyn’s Coaching Career

1. Girls Dual Meet Record: 107-4-1 for a 95.5% winning percentage;

2. Boys Dual Meet Record: 91-19 for an 82.7% winning percentage;

3. Overall Coaching Record at WHS: 198-23-1 for an 89.2% winning percentage;

4. Six top ten finishes at state for the boys in 16 years;

5. Eleven top ten finishes at state for the girls in 15 years with a current streak of seven consecutive top four or higher finishes;

6. Seven League Championships for the boys in 16 years;

7. Eleven League Championships for the girls in 15 years;

8. Eight District Championships for the boys in 16 years;

9. Thirteen District Championships for the girls in 15 years;

10. Three Individual and One Relay State Championship for the boys in 16 years;

11. Two Individual State Champions for the girls in 15 years;

12. Three Individuals and One Relay All Americans for the boys in 16 years;

13. Three Individual All Americans for the girls in 15 years;

14. Confirmed Big 9 Swim Coach of the Year four times for the boys and seven times for

the girls;

15. WISCA State Coach of the Year one time for the girls and two times for the boys, and served as the President of WISCA until the time of his passing.

Former swimmer and ‘16 WHS grad, Kayli Brown, stated naming the pool after Coach Elwyn would be a constant reminder of his dedication and the values in which he lived his life.  Elwyn was more than just a coach for Brown, he was a mentor and important person in her life. 

Plans will be made in the future to coordinate a naming ceremony for the James Elwyn Aquatic Center. 

Photo Caption:

WHS swim and dive coaches (from left to right), Kara Melton, Brian Lee, Marc Norsen, James Elwyn and Mike Hartley with WHS ‘16 grad and former swimmer Kayli Brown at the 2015 District Championship.