Began swimming?
I Began swimming at the age of 7 years old, with the Manteca Dolphins Recreation Program.
What teams have you participated with? I swam for Delta Valley Aquatics (DVA), Tiger Aquatics (Tiger) and swam in college for University of the Pacific (UOP).
What years? I swam DVA for 8 years. Tiger Aquatics for another 3 years. And finally at the Division 1 college level for 3 years.
Accomplishments? As an age group swimmer I won Far Westerns, Western Zones. As a national swimmer I finished in the top 16 at both Jr. Nationals and the US Open for swimming.
Highlights? I was 2 time High School All American and still the Valley Oak League (VOL) record holder in the 200 IM. Top swimmer in Breast stroke for Pacific swimming and a finalist in Big West Swimming in my college conference championships where my team and I won Big West Conference by upsetting UC Santa Barbara for their first conference loss in more than 24 years.
Awards? Pacific Swimming Swimmer of the year finalist, Section Finalist for High School swimming and High School All American.
Favorite/Best stroke(s)? 200 Breast and 400 IM
Coaching experience? 3 years as a High School Coach (1 year at Bear Creek High School and 2 years at Sierra High School. As the Co-Head coach in 2007 the girls won VOL championships for the first time in School History). 1 year as the Head Coach of Manteca Dolphins (2007- present). And 1 Year of USA Swimming, as the Manteca Aquatics Coach (2007- present).
Who did you gain the most from with regards to swimming? Coaching?
Swimming:
Irvin Zador developed me as a swimmer. He challenged me to win many awards throughout my swimming career with him. He consistently made me prove to myself that I was capable of being a great swimmer. After placing in the top 16 at the US Open as a 16 year old I left DVA swimming and began swimming for Tiger Aquatics under Coach Ray Looze. As a coach Ray refined me as a swimmer and not only told me how to win but showed me how to win.
Coaching:
Ray Looze and Mike Westphal inspired me most as a coach. Ray’s discipline and work ethic as a coach, as well as his personal attention to all of his swimmers helped define me as a coach. Mike’s motivational skills, his ability to make you believe in yourself as a swimmer helps me to instill these beliefs in the swimmers I coach, even today.