Quintin Ward said there are no other prep programs that he would rather coach more than the Watterson High School boys and girls swimming and diving teams.

All the same, he stepped down as coach on June 15 because his personal schedule has become too busy.

Ward is taking classes at Ohio State in an effort to earn a business degree, and sales in his family business, Top That Pretzels, have increased.

"This was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but something had to give, and I got to the point where I just felt like I can no longer dedicate the time to these teams that they deserve," Ward said. "I spent seven years coaching these teams, three as an assistant and four as the head coach, and I'm really going to miss it.

"But I'm sure there are going to be a lot of good candidates applying for the job because our girls team is looking very strong and our boys team is heading in the right direction."

Each season during Ward's four-year tenure as head coach, the girls team won the CCL championship and placed second in both the Division I sectional meet at Upper Arlington and the district meet behind UA.

UA has won eight consecutive state titles.

In the 2008-09 season, Watterson finished second (167) in the state meet behind UA (349), as Gracie Finnegan won state titles in the 50-yard freestyle (23.33 seconds) and 100 free (50.47).

The following season, the Eagles finished second (186) at state behind UA (295), as Finnegan won state titles in both the 50 free (23.2) and 100 free (50.06) for a third consecutive year. Also at state that year, Camey Rabold, Michele Rielly, Samantha Schuttinger and Finnegan combined to win the 200 free relay (1:35.08) ahead of UA (1:35.97) and the 400 free relay (3:27.09) ahead of UA (3:29.67).

The Eagles finished fourth (143) at state behind UA (286), Cincinnati Ursuline Academy (212) and Cincinnati Turpin (188) in the 2010-11 season and placed fifth (132) at state behind champion UA (300.5) last season. Also last season, Rabold won the 200 free in a program-record 1:49.52.

"I was fortunate to work with high-level athletes and the biggest highlight was seeing them accomplish their goals," Ward said. "Our boys team's numbers have dwindled, but all of our boys have improved each season. Our girls team finished in the top five at state each of the past four years and you can't ask for much more than that."

Watterson athletics director Mike Roark said he is in the process of interviewing candidates and hopes to fill Ward's position soon.

"Quintin did a great job of stepping in and leading this program," Roark said. "We've already received a number of applicants."