Posted: Monday, April 21, 2003 12:00 am
In 1985 John Winkler won a state title to put Corvallis High on the swimming map
By Aaron Yost
Mid-Valley Sports
It isn't a matter of losing track of time.
It's more an issue of time slipping by as John Winkler enjoys his life.
Nevertheless, it's been 18 years since Winkler lit up the pool for Corvallis High, becoming the first Spartan to win a state championship in the 100-meter breaststroke.
"It's hard to believe it's been that long, really," Winkler said during a phone interview. "Ever since college ended I haven't really been swimming."
Instead Winkler has been busy teaching eighth-grade Earth science for the last nine years at Granite Falls Middle School. Coming out of the University of Puget Sound, Winkler had four All-American awards and a desire to teach biology. Reality, though, dictated the job he holds today.
While the son of former Oregon State men's swim coach Bill Winkler is no longer involved in competitive swimming, he is still involved in athletics. He recently stepped down as the junior varsity softball coach at Granite Falls High and he is coaching seventh-grade volleyball at the middle school.
"Our school is too small to have a pool," Winkler said.
Granite Falls is a community outside of Everett, Wash. The high school and middle school are approximately of the same enrollment: 500 students.
Despite living in the thick of Husky country, Winkler doesn't regret the decision to remain in Washington. Given the current situation of school funding in Oregon, he is in a more secure position.
"I did think about coming back to Oregon, but now with the situation down there - well ours isn't much better," he said. "And my wife is from up here. I enjoy living up here."
Stacy Winkler was also a four-time All-American in swimming at Puget Sound, but the couple's oldest child, Connor, is venturing into the realm of soccer and baseball.
Winkler wasn't pushed into swimming by his parents and he has no intentions of pushing his children into any particular athletic endeavors.
"Even though he coached swimming, he never pushed me into it," he said. "A friend of mine told me I should try swimming. I think I've continued the same philosophy."
Winkler began his competitive swimming career as a 12-year-old, though he had learned the strokes much younger because of his father.
He does encourage Connor, 6, to fish and he hopes Chase, 2, is up to going camping this year.
The family, which makes its home in Everett, spends much of its free time in the outdoors.
Winkler brought the family to visit his folks in their west Corvallis home recently, giving him a view of the changes to his hometown.
"That West Hills development, it seems like there are a lot of new developments on that end," he said. "Downtown seems the same, but it seems to be growing out towards the Philomath area.
"It's always nice coming back home. You grow up in Corvallis - everyone resents their hometown until you come back and visit and you realize what a neat place it is."
It's also the best place for the family to stock up on Oregon State apparel, something it does with each visit.
JOHN WINKLER
AGE: 36
Family: Wife, Stacy; sons Connor, 6, and Chase, 2
Job: Eighth-grade Earth science teacher at Granite Falls Middle School, Granite Falls, Wash.
Live: Everett, Wash.
Claim to fame: 1985 100-yard breaststroke champion from Corvallis High; four-time All-American at University of Puget Sound