The Farmington Hills Mercy High School girls swimmers have dominated their sport as few schools have in the Metro Detroit area and the state.

The common denominator has been Shannon Dunworth, heading into his ninth season as coach of the Marlins (an apt nickname).

While he coached only the last eight of Mercy’s CHSL titles, his philosophy — “push yourself to be the best you can be” — has paid off on the county and state levels, where, in the latter instance, Mercy had previously won state titles in 1998 and 1972.

Dunworth downplays any references to Mercy’s records. “We embrace the past, but we don’t live off it,” he said.

What the girls do live off is a rigorous routine, akin to a “military discipline,” said Shondell Patterson, whose daughter, Caroline, is a senior, swimming in the wake of her two older sisters, Maddie (’08) and Katie (’10).

“He instills a sense of family and pride, and a work ethic” which, she said, Maddie gave credit for getting her first job (in merchandising) after graduation from DePauw.

Twice-a-day practices are the norm from mid-August to mid-November. The 90-minute morning session begins promptly at 5:30, a considerable challenge for those girls who live a distance from the intersection of 11 Mile and Middlebelt roads.

“We have girls who come from Hartland or Brighton, and have to get up at 4 a.m.,” Dunworth said. “It’s one of the life lessons swimming teaches, showing up on time. I don’t tolerate being late. If a girl is late, she doesn’t practice that day. Trust me; no one’s ever late.”

During the school year, practices resume after the end of the class schedule, meaning some of the girls get home by seven or so, then have to fit in eating and homework before bedtime.

Ron Michalzuk of Dearborn said his daughters, Emma, a junior, and Geri, a sophomore, and their teammates appreciate their coach. “They love it. They buy into the system,” he said. “I find it fascinating how much respect the girls have for the coach.”

Dunworth, 55, has been in and around pools his whole life. He and his two brothers swam for Dearborn High School, where his father, Jack, was a longtime assistant and head coach (and state champion 1976). Each brother was an individual state champ — Shannon in the backstroke in 1974 — and each was on a state championship team.

Shannon went to the University of Tennessee, where he was captain of the Vols’ 1978 NCAA Division 1 championship. He returned to Dearborn to help his father on the sidelines, and then as head coach directed the Pioneers to state titles in 1986 and 1987.

He left coaching in the mid-90s to open a swim shop, Different Strokes, in Livonia, St. Clair Shores and Auburn Hills.

Three times he resisted a parent’s plea to take the Mercy coaching position in 2004 before reconsidering. “Why am I saying no?” he said. “Mercy has a rich tradition. I love it here.”
Two years later, he signed on as head coach for the Novi Detroit Catholic Central swimmers. Girls swimming is a fall sport in Michigan, while boys swim in the spring.

“Coaching to me is the world’s greatest hobby,” Dunworth said. “Back then (in Dearborn), I didn’t understand the rewards of coaching. But the kids show up, dedicated, working hard, so passionate. I love the high school years.”

The Shamrocks are Dunworth’s next challenge. “I think there were only nine kids on the swim team my first year. The dynamic is different there. At Mercy, girls come with great swimming backgrounds, while at CC kids learn how to become great swimmers.”

“I’m loving the challenge,” Dunworth said. “We’re working our way up. We were sixth in the state finals last year.” CC has finished runner-up the last four years to Brother Rice in the CHSL finals.