Coaching Staff
Todd Spohn - Head Coach
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Todd comes to Mission Viejo from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) where he coached both the collegiate and club programs for the past 20 years (1986-2006). Spohn has been honored as the MAC conference's diving coach of the year eleven times.
Spohn earned his bachelor's degree in 1986 and his master's degree in sport studies in 1993, both from Miami. During his diving career at Miami, Spohn was a six-time MAC finalist and three-time NCAA Zone Championship qualifier. Since his graduation, Spohn has competed and medaled internationally at the Pan Pacific Masters Diving Championship. He also has performed as a professional high diver.
Spohn and his wife, Monica, live in Mission Viejo. They have three children: Hannah (21), Andy (20) and Molly (18).
Janet Ely - Assistant Coach
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Janet brings 20 years of competitive diving experience, and 25 years coaching experience. As a former two-time Olympian (1972 Munich, Germany & 1976 Montreal, Canada) and World Champion (1975 Cali, Columbia), Janet has instructed divers as beginners and developed their talents to Nationals and International standings, winning numerous individual, as well as team titles at the US National Championships and medalists at the JO and Senior World Championships. As a result of her coaching accomplishments, Janet has served on US Diving's Technical Advisory Counsel, Skills Development Counsel, International Rules Committee and served on the US Diving Board of Directors.
Derek Starks – Assistant Coach
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Derek has been a Nadadore since 1998 when he moved from Poway, CA to join the National Team under coach Hongping Li. During his career with the Nadadores, Derek acquired: 4 West Junior Olympic National titles, 4 Junior Olympic National titles, several international medals and titles and other national medals in the Junior Olympic and Senior levels. Derek attended and dove for University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) under Olympic coach, and former Nadadore, Randy Ableman with a full athletic scholarship. Derek is is a three-time NCAA All American, the 2004 BIG EAST Most Outstanding Diver, and the 2006 ACC Diver of the Year, He graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Derek currently serves on the USA Diving Board of Directors as an Athlete Representative and as the Chair to the Athlete Representative Committee.
Cindy Adams - Assistant Coach
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Cindy joined the Nadadores coaching staff in September 2001 as a lessons instructor and in September 2002 she began coaching the Novice Team. In February 2003 she created the Bitty Bouncer competitive team for divers 7 years and under. Cindy, a former gymnast, began diving at age 15. She competed for UCLA from 1981-1985 where she earned her degree in Economics. Cindy is particularly skilled at working with young athletes who are just entering the exciting world of diving. You will find no one more friendly than Cindy and she is the key to the future for our dive team.
Sammy Lee, MD - Coach Emeritus
Dr. Lee, a prominent ear, nose and throat specialist and USC Alumnus, assists the Mission Viejo Nadadores as a consultant. Dr. Lee is world famous for being the first man to win back-to-back Olympic Gold Medals in platform diving at the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games. He is also the first man to coach a diver to back-to-back Olympic victories (Bob Webster, 1960 and 1964). He was an Olympic Diving Team Coach during the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games and coached Greg Louganis, at the age of 16, to a silver medal on the 10 meter platform. Dr. Lee won the Sullivan Award as the nation's outstanding athlete following his victory in the 1952 Olympic Games. Dr. Lee has also served four U.S. Presidents on the President's Council for Physical Fitness.
