Bio

Judi Terhar began her swimming career in Seattle, Washington in 1966 on a swim team featuring two Olympians. Her coach's attention to detail and swimmers model of excellence had a profound impact on her. After moving to California she was again fortunate to have a coach who excelled, and he guided her to a top ten swimming time in the United States in the 200 fly. In High School, swimming for St. Genevieve, she was an All American in the 100 fly and 200 IM, finishing third for each race in the CIF Finals. She was offered a full scholarship to CSUN to swim under Hall of Fame Coach Peter Accardy. Judi set four school records as a freshman and was a four time All American in the 100 fly, 200 fly, 200 IM, and 400 IM. Some of her records lasted for over 20 years. She was awarded the Most Valuable Swimmer in 1977, and Most Inspirational in 1978, as surgery ended her swimming career that year.

Although it was difficult to be unable to compete, Judi decided in 1978 to go back to her high school and coach the team she had started in 1974. The team had more than doubled in size. Having been impacted by so many coaches who helped her to be successful, it became her desire to do the same. In 1979, Judi began lifeguarding at Pierce College and helping Steve Schofield with the Master's Swim Program. In 1984 she was asked to be a chaperone for the Pierce College Swim Team on a three week trip to Australia where she also competed. The following year she became the Women's Head Swim Coach at Pierce College. Many of the women she coached set records and qualified for the State Championships, but coaching was not paying the bills. Judi coached until 1990 and then left to begin working as a Recreational Therapist at Simi Valley Hospital in Acute Rehabilitation. In 2000, Judi returned to CSUN to get a Master's Degree in Counseling and going back to school afforded the opportunity to coach at the High School, Club, and Master's level once again. After graduating from CSUN in 2004 with her Master's Degree, Fred Shaw invited Judi to be his assistant where she would coach with him for the next 7 years until he retired. Fred Shaw and Judi were voted co-coaches of the year in 2012 by the Western State Conference. Our Pierce College Women's Swim Team won the Western State Conference Championships that year. Pierce then added Women's Water Polo to be compliant with Title 9.

Judi was awarded the Western State Conference Coach of the year in 2018 and in 2019 our men's team had their most successful year in recent history. The men broke seven school records including three relays and four individual races. Three records were almost 40 years old. Our Pierce College men's swimmer Mario Marshall was the State Champion in the 100 fly and second in the 100 free in 2019. Five men qualified for the State Championships. She has been an assistant coach for 7 years and head coach for 15 years.