Mid-Del names Clark, Mitchell to lead swim program

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Mid-Del swimmers are putting in work again this summer with outdoor practices, but they’re doing so with new leadership.

The school district recently hired Clayton “CJ” Clark and Rachel Mitchell as its new swim coaches following the departure of Josh Norman, who resigned to accept a position at Edmond North.

Norman and his father, former head coach Kirk Norman, helped build Carl Albert into one of Oklahoma’s premier swimming programs, leading the Titans to multiple state championships and establishing a culture of success that has become the standard in Mid-Del.

Athletic Director Andy Collier said replacing the Normans was no easy task, but the district was pleased with the caliber of applicants and confident it found the right pair to move the program forward.

“It was a tough spot to fill, but we were lucky to get two really good ones,” Collier said.

Clark will oversee the boys program, while Mitchell takes over the girls team. Collier said the coaches bring different perspectives that complement one another and should benefit the entire program.

“They are opposite in their philosophy, and that’s a good deal,” Collier said. “They work together well, and they’ve already done a great job together.”

For Clark, the opportunity represents a homecoming.

A Carl Albert graduate, Clark comes from a family long associated with Mid-Del athletics. His grandfather, Leland Clark, and several family members were instrumental in the district’s wrestling tradition, while his uncle, Mike Clark, previously served as Mid-Del’s athletic director.

Clark enjoyed a successful swimming career of his own, finishing as a state runner-up and setting school records before continuing at Rose State College, where he qualified for junior college nationals and established several program records. He has spent the past seven years coaching with King Marlin Swim Club and the last five seasons as head coach at Putnam City North.

“My family has a pretty staunch history in Mid-Del,” Clark said.

Returning to the district where he grew up and competed makes the opportunity especially meaningful.

“It feels so great. It feels great to be back here,” Clark said. “It’s actually a 10-year anniversary of me graduating high school. I’ve just been coaching full time the past decade, and so it feels kind of full circle to end up back here.”

Collier said Clark’s connection to the district and understanding of its culture stood out during the hiring process.

“He has the pedigree and understands what Mid-Del is about,” Collier said.

Mitchell also brings strong local ties.

A Midwest City High School graduate, Mitchell swam competitively throughout her youth and high school years before playing tennis in college. Later, while her husband served in the Air Force, she moved to Colorado Springs and immersed herself in the highest levels of the sport.

Mitchell worked with the U.S. Olympic Committee and had opportunities to observe and learn from elite coaches, including Bob Bowman, who coached Olympic legend Michael Phelps.

“I was able to shadow some of the best coaches in the world, Bob Bowman, Michael Phelps’ head coach,” Mitchell said. “I was able to work with and observe lots of Olympians.”

She later held leadership positions at one of Colorado Springs’ largest swim schools before returning to Oklahoma in 2022. Mitchell now teaches at Carl Albert Middle School.

While she recognizes the success of the coaches who came before her, Mitchell said her goal is to continue building on that foundation and create even more opportunities for young swimmers in the community.

“These guys are sitting on the throne in Oklahoma swimming right now,” Mitchell said. “The previous coaching program, they trained up some really incredible swimmers and really built this program up, and I just want to continue to see this program excel.”

Both coaches acknowledged that following a championship staff comes with expectations. Rather than viewing that pressure as a burden, they see it as motivation.

“It is intimidating, but it’s even more so motivating,” Clark said. “We have a lot of leaders on this team. We have a lot of parents, and me and Coach Rachel (Mitchell) are very confident coaches, and we’re very confident in each other and our ability to work together.”

Mitchell shared a similar outlook.

“I wouldn’t say that I’m intimidated,” she said. “I would say I’m excited about the opportunity.”

The Titans are currently conducting summer workouts at Reno Swim & Slide while district officials continue planning for a future aquatic facility. Despite the challenges that come with not having a permanent home pool, both coaches said their focus remains on maintaining the culture of excellence that has defined Mid-Del swimming.

“I always tell swimmers, you know, fear is just an opportunity to be brave,” Clark said. “If you’re not in a situation that’s challenging you, or that you’re afraid of, then you don’t have an opportunity for bravery at all.”