Rutherford County's Only USA Swimming Affliated Team
About Our Team
Building confident swimmers and strong families through year-round competitive training and USA Swimming opportunities.
Rutherford County Swim Team (RCST) is a small, nonprofit, parent-run program that has proudly served our community since 1986. We are a USA Swimming–affiliated, year-round competitive swim team dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for athletes and their families. Each year, our membership ranges from 30 to 70 swimmers, with seasonal fluctuations as athletes join for short-course or long-course competitions.
Our Mission
While RCST has produced numerous State Champion swimmers at both the high school and North Carolina Swimming levels, our mission has never been solely about creating champions. Our true purpose is to develop physically fit, emotionally confident, and healthy young adults by engaging them in a challenging yet rewarding sport.
Serving Our Community
Located in Rutherford County, North Carolina, we welcome swimmers from across the region, including surrounding communities. For nearly four decades, RCST has combined local roots with national-level resources through our USA Swimming affiliation, giving young athletes the opportunity to thrive close to home while preparing for success at every level.
Year-Round Swimming Opportunities
RCST competes in two major competitive seasons:
Short Course Season (September–April) – Races are held in 25-yard or 25-meter pools, focusing on technique, starts, and turns while building speed.
Long Course Season (May–August) – Competitions are in 50-meter Olympic-style pools, emphasizing stamina, race strategy, and preparation for higher-level meets.
This year-round structure allows swimmers to continually improve and develop a love for the sport in both formats.
A Whole-Family Approach
Our philosophy extends beyond the water. We aim to involve the entire family in the swim team experience, encouraging open dialogue about nutrition, exercise, academics, community involvement, and positive ways to support young swimmers. By working together, parents, coaches, and athletes create an environment where swimmers thrive.
Safe Sport Commitment
We are proud to be a Safe Sport Recognized Team, which means athlete protection, parent involvement, and coach accountability are at the center of everything we do. Families can trust that our athletes are training in a professional and secure environment.
Success Beyond the Pool
At RCST, winning or losing is not the measure of success. Instead, success is seen in the daily improvements our swimmers make—whether in technique, times, effort, or confidence. We celebrate swimmers who confront challenges, push beyond their comfort zones, and carry their confidence into every aspect of life.
Our Core Values
We emphasize three core values:
Character – building resilience and integrity through daily training and competition.
Confidence – helping swimmers believe in themselves both in and out of the pool.
Physical Health – fostering lifelong wellness through discipline, movement, and balance.
Our greatest victories are not just the medals earned but the healthy, vibrant, and resilient young adults our swimmers become.
The Coach "K" Legacy
Mike "Coach K" Kernoodle
For more than 40 years, Coach Mike “Coach K” Kernodle shaped the heart and soul of RCST. His leadership, mentorship, and unwavering dedication left a mark on every swimmer who trained under his guidance.
Coach K was known for his tireless commitment—arriving early, staying late, and making sure every practice and meet ran smoothly. With his legendary index cards full of workouts in hand, he adjusted lane lines himself, demonstrated push-ups on deck well into his 80s, and gave personal attention to every swimmer.
What made Coach K remarkable was the deep respect and love he inspired. He believed in the greatness of each athlete, pushing them to overcome excuses and rise to challenges with confidence and grit. He didn’t just train swimmers; he built character, instilled confidence, and fostered resilience that extended far beyond the pool.
Today, RCST carries forward his legacy. Every stroke, every practice, and every meet is a reflection of the lessons Coach K left us: give your best effort, support one another, and find joy in the pursuit of excellence. His spirit continues to guide our team, ensuring that his impact lives on in the swimmers and families of Rutherford County for generations to come.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, RCST can continue providing opportunities for young athletes to grow and thrive in and out of the pool.
Meet Our Sponsors
Explore the businesses and organizations that make our program possible:
Top Sponsors – Highlighted above for their outstanding support.
Community Partners – See more of our partners ›
Become a Sponsor
Interested in supporting RCST and making an impact on youth athletics in Rutherford County? Join our sponsorship family and help us build confident, healthy, and resilient young athletes.
The Rutherford County Swim Team is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.