|
|
|
|
Robert (Bob) Laughna
Head coach – 2009 Deaflympics Swim Team
Bob Laughna comes to US deaf swimming with extensive experience as the head coach for several Deaflympics. He will serve as the head coach for the 2009 Deaflympics team going to Taipei, Taiwan. Since 1990, he has been a head coach for the men's and women's United States deaf national teams. His international coaching experience includes the World Invitational Meet in Canada (1991) and Russia (1992), the World Games for the Deaf in Bulgaria (1993), Denmark (1997) and Italy (2001), in addition to two World Deaf Championships (Sweden 1992 & Belgium 1995). |
Laughna was also chosen as the assistant coach for the 2005 Deaflympics in Melbourne, Australia (2005) but did not attend due to lack of funding.
In addition to deaf swimming, Laughna was recently was named the head coach for Northern Michigan University in August 2007. He has over 20 years of experience working with the NMU team. In addition to coaching at NMU, Laughna has been a head coach for two USS/YMCA teams: Watercats Aquatic Club (1985-1990) and Marquette Gators (1990-2000). |
| |
 |
Seda Ozdemir
Assistant coach – 2009 Deaflympics Swim Team
Seda Ozdemir, a decorated swimmer at two Deaflympics, is the assistant coach. She represented US team in Italy and Australia in 2001 and 2005, where she won two gold, four silver, and two bronze medals. Ozdemir also served as the captain of the women’s team during the Melbourne Deaflympics. She was the assistant coach for Mount Vernon |
Country Swim Club and Golden High School in Golden, CO, before becoming the assistant coach for the 2007 World Deaf Championship Team (Taipei, Taiwan).
Ozdemir’s swimming career began in USA Swimming with the Foothills Swim Team then later the University of Denver Hilltoppers. She also swam for her high school, Golden High School (1997-2001), before competing for Colorado State University (2001-2005), where she was a two-time conference team member. An enthusiastic and outgoing individual, Ozdemir was honored for her excellence in swimming in 2001 as the Colorado Sportswoman of the Year and USADSF Female Athlete of the Year.
In addition, Ozdemir is board member of United States Deaf Swimming (USDS), and is the swimming coordinator. |
|
