THE COACH:
High School: Larry Baratte began his coaching career at Thousand
Oaks High School in 1981, coaching the Boys Water Polo Team
and the Boys and Girls Swimming Teams. He coached swimming
from 1982 through 1987. During his six seasons his teams won
nine Marmonte League titles (Boys 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985,
1986, 1987 and Girls 1985, 1986, 1987.) Along with numerous
Marmonte League, and CIF-Southern Section individual champions,
Coach Baratte developed seven National High School All-Americans
in swimming. His combined dual meet record was 91-5. While
coaching Water Polo from 1981-1984, his teams advanced to
the CIF playoffs each year. Along with numerous All-Marmonte
league and All County players he coached on National High
School All-American in water polo.
Ventura College: In 1988 he became Assistant Water Polo Coach
at Ventura College, and Assistant mens’ and womens’
swim team coach. In 1990 he was named the Head Women’s
Swim Coach which he held until 1992. In 1992 he was hired
to a full-time faculty position at Ventura College, heading
the Men’s Water Polo and Men’s Swimming Teams.
In 1993 he once again took over the Women’s team, and
continues coaching both teams to this day. In 1999, he stepped
down as the Men’s Water Polo coach and assumed the position
of Aquatics Director at the Ventura college Aquatic Center.
During his water polo career his teams were selected for
the post season playoffs, in six of his eight seasons. In
1997 his team advanced to the State Championships. In addition,
his 1997 team was named the states’ top scholar team.
Coach Baratte has produced eleven National Community College
All Americans, and was named the Western State Conference
Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1999. His overall record was
151-87-6. In 1995 he founded the Women’s Water Polo
program and developed it as a club team until it was adopted
as a varsity sport by the athletic department in 1998.
Throughout his swim coaching career at Ventura College, Coach
Baratte’s teams have won twelve Western State Conference
titles (Men 1994, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and Women 1990,
1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.) His 2005 Mens’
Team won the California State Swimming and Diving Championship.
His teams have finished in the top five at the California
State Championship meet fifteen times. He has been named Western
State Conference Coach of the Year ten times, and was named
the California State Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2005. Coach
Baratte has developed eighteen California State Champions
in forty individual or relay events. In addition, he has coached
eighteen Western State Conference Athletes of the year, three
California State Athletes of the Year, two National Community
College All-American. His men’s swim team has been honored
as the state’s tope scholar team seven consecutive years
(2000-2006). His Men and Women swim teams overall dual meet
record stands at 203-27.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Coach Baratte is an active member of the American Swim Coaches
Association, Governing member of the California Community
College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association and works
to develop age group swimming and water polo.
PERSONAL:
Larry and his wife Beth have three sons, Chase, Collin, and
Cole. He is the Son of Larry and Elaine Baratte.
Copyright
Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame
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