Experience key as Traub named new Cheshire coach

Torrington High graduate takes over for Modzelewski

When Dave Modzelewski stepped down as Cheshire girls swim coach on Monday, Cheshire athletic director Steve Trifone said he hoped to have a new coach in place within a week with season approaching.

Trifone wasn’t kidding when it came to a quick hire, announcing on Wednesday that Matt Traub has been hired.

“Matt will be a nice addition to our high school coaching staff, since he has experience coaching and working with high school age group athletes,” Trifone said. “He knows many of our athletes through the (Cheshire) YMCA Sea Dogs where he coaches the younger athletes.

“Speaking to Matt, he is excited to pick up where Dave ( Modzelewski) left off.”

This is Traub’s first high school head coaching position. He swam for Torrington High for four years and graduated in 2015. He was captain of the Boston University men’s swim team and swam there from 20152019.

He swam as part of Texas A&M’s post-grad/pro team until the pandemic hit. Traub also swam for the Cheshire Sea Dogs during his high school days and when he would come home from college until he stopped swimming in 2020.

The past year he has been working for the Cheshire YMCA assisting with the Sea Dogs swim program.

“As a coach, I put a lot of emphasis on communication with the athletes during practice,” Traub said in an email response. “I like to make sure they understand why we do certain things so they know what to focus on and how to get the most out of each set. As with anything new, there are challenges. But I am fortunate enough to have great support, especially from people like Steve Trifone, Susan Murphy (works in Cheshire athletic department), Dave Modzelewski and Sean Farrell (Sea Dogs head coach), as well as my high school coach Andrew Marchand, to help me through the transition.

“Working with Dave on Sea Dogs this last year was

a pleasure. I was really able to learn a lot from him. It doesn’t surprise me that he was offered such a great new job (in Boston area).

He is an awesome coach and co-worker.”

Traub will meet with the girls swim team on Thursday for the first time since being named the new coach.

“I am super excited,” Traub said. “I’m looking forward to a fun season and to continue the Cheshire swimming tradition.”

Next up on Trifone’s coaching plate is finding a new Cheshire boys swim coach, a position Modzlewski also held when he stepped down.

Traub