Edina's Downey still has youthful energy

Art Downey -- a man who refuses to disclose his real age -- likes to tell people he's in the fifth year of coaching the Edina boys' swimming team.

The fifth of the second 50, that is.

To the rest of the world, yes, that adds up to 55 years. But according to his swimmers, the dedication and eternal optimism with which he guides his athletes -- to the state meet again this weekend as the Hornets gun for their fourth consecutive 2A championship at the U of M Aquatic Center -- mimics that of a man taking the reins for the first time.

"I think that statement right there just gives you a feel for what kind of guy he is," senior Tim Satterthwaite said with a laugh. "He's always looking on the bright side. I don't think I've ever seen him frown.

"He's got a very relaxed, laid back way of coaching, but it's not detached. I know some coaches, it's really big to yell to get kids motivated. But he's really soft-spoken. And let me tell you, he can get me more motivated than any coach that's yelling at me."

Of course, despite the fact that Downey might have the energy of a fifth-year coach, he very much draws on his wealth of experiences as valuable tools in his belt.

He uses the same training concepts he's been using for 40 or 50 years. He uses examples of past teams and magical years to incite his pupils. Before state meets, he brings his team down to Cooke Hall -- which now houses a recreational pool in the underbelly of the Aquatic Center -- where the meets were originally held in the 1960s and '70s, and talks about the memories and tradition that began there.

But for the St. Paul native, his lasting tenure represents the simplest of decisions.

"I liked sports," he said. "I wasn't a good enough athlete to make a living playing sports, so I figured coaching was the way to go."

And he never looked back, and never once thought about leaving.

"That's a generational thing," he said. "My dad worked in the hardware department for his entire life. Now, people jump around. But I never thought about it. That's just the way people did things then: they got a job and if they liked it, they stayed with it."

And his loyalty has paid off. Edina has won 10 championship under his watch, and on the current team, many competitors don't know what it's like not to win the championship.

Last year Edina bested Minnetonka by 90.5 points despite winning just two individual events and two relays. But Downey is no less confident in his swimmers, a sentiment that bleeds through to his team. Edina still contains very strong swimmers behind No.1-ranked Minnetonka and looks to again be competitive in relays.