Can’t stop, won’t stop swimming in rain or shine
CHINO HILLS, Calif. — While most of us were still sleeping in our warm beds, Monique Tahauri was at the pool. Rain or shine, heat or freezing temperatures, she and her teammates swam laps. Repetitive, grueling, end to end touches for hours at a time. Swimming is not a sport for anyone who is not dedicated and determined to better oneself each and every day.
Monique, or Coach Mo, as she is now called, began her swimming career at the age of 7, having become interested in the sport while watching the 1976 Olympics in Montreal – specifically Germany’s Kornelia Ender. At the time, Mo was involved in a very different sport: figure skating. The next year, at age 8, she tried out for Mt. SAC Aquatics and after a period where she took lessons, transferred over to the swim team and the rest is history. Mo specialized in the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle events and made it to Nationals more than once. She was a CIF Champion while at South Hills High School in West Covina and was ranked in the Top 16 the country in multiple events!
Monique later joined Industry Hills Swim Club and swam for South Hills High School during the school season. She went on to swim for Mt. San Antonio College and held school records in multiple events for many years. During that time, she married and upon graduation, was offered a coaching position at South Hills High School. She swam with Olympian, Jill Sterkel, her sister Jody, as well as sisters Dara and Tara Torres who helped push for the CIF win in 1986 in the 4×100 Free relay. Monique also worked many years at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown L.A. Amongst other roles, she was proud to have worked on the planning team for the John R. Wooden Award, presented to the top collegiate basketball player in the country.
Currently, Coach Mo is adored by many. She and her sister-in-law, Becky Moon, opened Chino Hills Aquatics/ Chino Hills Sharks 10 years ago. They have operated with as many as 250 swimmers. Maintaining private and group lesson schedules, competitive team swim meets and daily practices is not easy. Monique works extremely hard every day to partner with local youth and their families on water safety as well.
Coach Mo and the Sharks were most recently proud to see their longtime, former teammate Teagan O’Dell qualify for the Olympic Trials Wave 1 in 100 and 200 backstroke. Teagan helped the Sharks win numerous championships, including spring boarding them to a National ranking as the 7th place team in the Nation last year!
When asked about her final thoughts she replied, “It’s not just about swimming yards anymore, it’s about what you do with the yards.”
Have an interest in the swimming world? Reach out to Monique and the staff at Chino Hills Aquatics… GO SHARKS!
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