Sikeston swim instructor named Coach of the Year

Sikeston swim coach Heather Dockins instructs team members during a practice this year (photo by David Jenkins, Staff)

SIKESTON -- Sikeston swim coach Heather Dockins was recently named Coach of the Year for the Midwest Swim Conference.

In her first year coaching the Sharks, she got the most votes of the 11 coaches in the league.

"I was shocked," said Dockins. "I never thought I would get it. It is encouraging to know that they thought of me as a good coach."

The award was given out on Saturday in the conference championships. Teams in the conference include Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville, Kennett, Paducah, Charleston, Poplar Bluff, Farmington, Ste. Genevieve and Sikeston. Dockins was a member of the Sikeston swim team for eight years, qualifying for the Junior Olympics four times in her career.

As coach, she is currently helping Sikeston's Junior Olympic qualifiers prepare for the Aug. 5 event in Knoxville, Tenn.