If Edward Toatley's approach to swimming instruction seems somewhat scientific, it may have something to do with his background.

Toatley, the new head coach of Cape Girardeau's Gator Swim Team, earned his college degree at the University of California in Physics.

After college, he worked in a physics-related field... briefly.

"I didn't like it much," Toatley recalls.

Fortunately, however, he had a skill in reserve: a minor in athletic coaching and experience as a national-level swimmer.

Toatley became a swimming instructor in 1972, and has been developing some of the country's top swimmers since.

In his 25 years of coaching, Toatley has coached 47 national qualifiers (junior and senior) and 119 United States Swimming age group national top 25 simmers.

In September, he took over the Gators after eight years at the head coach of the Peoria Water Wizards.

"My father died in February, and I felt like I needed a change," said Toatley, who also has a B.A. in both Political Science and History, and a graduate background in Child Psychology and Education. "It just seemed like the right opportunity."

By Toatley's estimation, the Gators' program has between 50-70 participants. One of his goals is to increase the number of Gator swimmers.

"All clubs need to be built," Toatley said. "We still have swimmers coming into the program, and we're still looking for new swimmers. We always want more."

The Gators have competed in six states in the last two years. The most successful recent graduate of the program is Jon Younghouse, who attends the University of Texas and recently finished third in the nation at the NCAA finals.

He is a 2000 Olympic hopeful.

Toatley has not seen enough in his month with the team to determine the competitiveness of the team.

"We'll find out in the meets coming up," he said. "We've had at least a couple of very competitive swimmers in each of the years past."

Competition is part of, but not all of Toatley's emphasis.

"I would say I'm competitive. I don't mind getting beat, but I don't like to lose. (But) the objective really is to get kids to be good kids."

In Toatley's programs, the participants have input into what they wish to accomplish.

"I like to sit down with the kids and let them set the objectives," Toatley said.

Then, Toatley helps them accomplish those goals the best way he knows: with structure and organization.

"I run a very structured program. The kids who come out of my programs have been able to do well in college and beyond," Toatley said.

"Most good swimmers are very good students, because they have learned to structure their lives."