Laurie Abplanalp
Laurie started swimming so long ago that she hardly remembers a time in her life when she was not involved in swimming. Like many kids, Laurie started swimming on her neighborhood swim team, the Homestead Farm Tarpons, as a little seven year old. Immediately, Laurie loved the sport, but never imagined all the places that swimming would take her. She joined Aces at ten and swam for the program for the next 13 years. During this time, Laurie went from being a Junior Olympic Qualifier to being a Senior National Qualifier.
While swimming for Aces, Laurie excelled at the Breaststroke and IM events. She won over 35 state championships individually and on relays while setting 30 state records along the way. Laurie qualified for Junior Nationals as a 12 year old and Senior Nationals as a 15 year old. Laurie had the chance to swim all over the country to compete including California, Washington, Tennessee, New York, and even Alaska to name a few. More than anything, Laurie enjoyed the numerous State Team Titles that ACES won while she was on the team. She also made some of the best friends that she still has today!
In addition to swimming for Aces, Laurie swam for the Arapahoe High School Warriors from 1996-2000. She earned MVP honors all four years and was a captain during her senior year. Laurie never placed lower than 5th place at the High School state meet and won the 100 Breaststroke her senior year. Also during her senior year, Laurie received two prestigious awards. She received the Hoyt-Brauner award given to student-athlete who exemplifies excellence in her sport and academics. At the end of the year, she was the co-recipient of the Colorado Swimmer of the Year award recognizing her successes in swimming.
Laurie's swimming career continued as she signed with the University of Notre Dame. She was a member of the four-time Big East Champions from 2001-2004. During her freshman year, Laurie received the Beehler-Hipp Award given to the athlete who shows the most spirit and love for Notre Dame. Laurie made the All-Big East team in 2002. Again, Laurie had the opportunity to travel all over the country to compete against other college teams and even went to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Acapulco. To finish her swimming career, Laurie was selected captain by her teammates, which is a great honor and privilege at Notre Dame.
While in college, Laurie came home two summers to coach her old neighborhood summer club team. She enjoyed the coaching experience thoroughly. After graduation, Laurie moved back to Colorado to start her business career. That fall, Laurie was asked to help coach ACES and she was so excited to work with the same coaches that helped her reach goals that she never thought were really possible. Laurie has enjoyed learning from some of the best coaches in the country.
In July 2008, Laurie was married to Jeremiah Abplanalp. They now live in Highlands Ranch. Laurie has decided to spend more time with her husband so will not be coaching a particular group this year. Instead, she will be working with the staff on projects and events. She looks forward to helping the team in a whole new way.