Coaching Staff Chad Onken – Head Coach/Director of Competitive Swimming chad.onken@ymcatriangle.org PHONE - 919.719.9606 Chad is in his fifth year with YOTA and third as our Head Coach/Director of Competitive Swimming. Primarily known for the discovery and development of world record holder, NCAA Champion, and 2008 US Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones, Chad has over twelve years of successful coaching experience throughout summer league, age group, high school, NCAA and masters swimming. In addition to being a Level 5 certified coach (top 2% - 5% in the profession) by the American Swimming Coaches Association, Chad is also a four-time recipient of the ASCA "Award for Coaching Excellence." Chad oversees the entire program and is responsible for the day to day coaching of the Platinum training group. During his time with the YOTA Swim Team, Chad's swimmers have been extremely successful in the pool; breaking several North Carolina state records, recording multiple USA Swimming Junior and Senior National time standards, breaking dozens of YOTA team records, winning a number of YMCA National individual and relay titles, breaking a number of YMCA National records, and garnering almost 50 National Age Group Top 16 times. YOTA has also seen success on the international level as well during this time as Dominick Glavich has been a part of the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 USA National Youth Team; competing throughout Europe. Additionally, the YOTA Swim Team has been crowned the 2010 and 2011 Men's YMCA National Champions under Coach Onken's leadership. Chad's success has been recognized by USA Swimming, as he was selected to be a part of the 2009 National Select Camp coaching staff as well as the Head Coach for the 2011 Zone Select Camp. Additionally, Chad has been nominated as the NC Swimming Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2011. Chad graduated from Florida State University in 1999 after helping the swimming team achieve several top fifteen finishes at the NCAA Championships. An Olympic Trials qualifier, Chad moved to Raleigh in 2000 as the Head Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at NC State University. In addition to his regular on-deck duties for the Wolfpack, Onken played an instrumental role in the strength and conditioning, team building, mental training, nutritional education and academic development of the swimmers at NCSU. While at NC State, Chad was the primary coach responsible for developing one USA Swimming National “B” Team Member, 6 US Olympic Trial qualifiers, 6 NCAA All-Americans, 6 ACC Champions, 10 school record holders, and 5 top 100 World Ranked athletes. Furthermore, Onken served as the Head Coach for the NC State Aquatics Team during the summertime, where two of his athletes represented the United States in international competition. Chad was also very involved with the Athletes In Action program while at NCSU. After five years at NCSU, Coach Onken became the Assistant Swimming Coach at national powerhouse Auburn University. During his stint with the Tigers, Onken helped the team capture both the men’s and women’s 2006 NCAA team championship titles. In addition to various administrative and recruiting duties, Chad helped coach 7 NCAA Champions, 34 NCAA All-Americans, 13 SEC Champions and 13 Auburn school record-holders. Having coached alongside some of the best in the business, Onken considers David Marsh and Dudley Duncan to be his coaching mentors. Chad holds a BS in Criminal Justice from Florida State University and is married to the former Lauren Romano, also of Midlothian, Virginia. They have an adorable schnoodle puppy named Bowden. Nick Walkotten - Assistant Director of Competitive Swimming nick.walkotten@ymcatriangle.org PHONE 919.719.9696 This is Nick’s third season with YOTA. He serves as the Assistant Director and assistant senior coach, with primary focus on Gold group. Nick moved to Raleigh in 2009 from Columbia, SC where he was the head age group coach for Carolina Aquatics. Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan where he was a 14 time High School All-American, he took his swimming career to the University of South Carolina and earned his degree in Sociology while continuing his success in the pool. Nick is the School record holder and a NCAA All-American in the 100, 200 fly and 100 backstroke. In 2008 Nick represented the United States at the 2008 FINA SC World Championships; where he finished 11th in 100fly, 10th in the 50fly and 5th in the 200 fly. Nick finished he collegiate career at 2009 NCAA's held at Texas A&M capturing 6th place in the 200fly. Nick uses much of his experiences as an athlete in his coaching philosophy. He believes that good stroke mechanics are essential to an athletes success. Having been a part of the 2008 Short Course World Championship team and qualifying for Olympic Trials in 2004, 2008 and 2012 Nick hopes to share his knowledge with the athletes helping them to achieve their goals! Tammy Minyard - Head Age Group Coach/Kerr YMCA Head Site Coach tammy.minyard@ymcatriangle.org PHONE 919.719.9603 Coach Tammy Minyard has been coaching in the Triangle Area for 11 years. This is Tammy’s fourth year with the YOTA Swim Team, and her second year as the Head Age Group Coach. Her mission as a coach is to help build self-confidence, self-respect, and self-discipline in young individuals, while teaching them the fundamental tools to succeed in swimming and, more importantly, in life. She teaches with enthusiasm and believes positive motivation goes a long way. She encourages kids to learn and understand stroke mechanics, set daily goals, and remember to have fun doing what they love to do…swim! Coach Tammy continues to focus on the development of the Kerr YMCA Site and the YOTA Age Group Program. For the 2011-2012 Season, the Kerr YMCA is at its highest enrollment. Coach Tammy will continue to motivate and inspire the YOTA Swimmers and the YOTA Age Group Staff to be the best they can be! In 2007-08 Tammy had the opportunity to coach the first year of “Try for Me” Triathlon Team at TAC. She taught novice to elite Tri-athletes the fundamentals of swimming. From June of 2007-July 2008 Coach Tammy was an Assistant Coach for Raleigh Swimming Association. She coached some of the top age group swimmers in NCS. From 2001-07, Coach Tammy served as the Marlins of Raleigh Swim Team’s Head Age Group Coach. She helped build the program from 6 swimmers to over 350 during that time. Tammy developed some of the top age group swimmers in NCS while on the Marlins’ staff. Additionally, she built MOR’s lesson program from the ground up In 2003-04, Coach Tammy served as a manager and coached on North Carolina Swimming Zone All Star Teams. She was the Head Coach at Cary Academy in 2001-02. She’s been the head coach for Prestonwood Country Club, Regency Riptides, and the Olive Chapel Otters. Tammy has coached numerous swimmers to reach multiple: Top 16, Top 5 in NC, Junior Olympic Qualifiers, Individual State Champions, Age Group Sectional Qualifiers, and Zone All-Star Team Selections. Coach Tammy was a high school All American in cross-country and swimming in her home town of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She went on to swim for the University of Alabama were she was a four time NCAA All-American. She is a member of the American Swimming Coaches Association with a Level 3 status. Coach Tammy is married to Scott Minyard and they have a daughter named Skye and a pooch named Layla! Brooks Ensor - Cary YMCA Head Site Coach brooks.ensor@ymcatriangle.org PHONE 919.719.9630 Brooks is in his fourth year with YOTA. Prior to coming to YOTA, Brooks spent 16 years with the Wilton Y Wahoos in Wilton, Connecticut as their Head Age Group Coach. During his time at Wilton, he was in charge of all aspects of their 12 and under program, in which he worked with all levels of swimmers from novice to National Age Group Record holders. During his tenure with the Wahoos, they were Connecticut YMCA State and Age Group Champions all 16 years. He was named Connecticut Age Group Coach of the Year in 2002. Brooks has also served on the Connecticut Age Group Swimming Committee, been on the staff of the Connecticut Zone Team 9 times as a head and assistant coach, and has served on the staff of numerous Connecticut swim camps. During his 16 years at Wilton, Brooks developed numerous USA and YMCA Swimming Top 16 swimmers, had four 12 year olds qualify for YMCA Nationals (one placing fourth in the 100 Back in 2006), coached 1 Senior National qualifier, and coached 2 National Age Group Record holders. During his time at Wilton, Brooks also helped develop a water polo program. Many of his water polo players were involved in both local and national level competitions. In 2002, he was named the Northeast Zone Water Polo Developmental Coach of the Year. Before moving to Wilton in the fall of 1990, Brooks worked for the North Baltimore Aquatic Club as their 10 and under coach from 1971-1977 under the direction of Head Coach Murray Stevens. In 1977 he started his own team called the Mariner Swim Club where he coached all levels. During this time, he also served as the Aquatics Director at the Gilman School in Baltimore. Brooks holds a B.S. degree in Elementary and Secondary Physical Education from Towson State University. Currently, Brooks is an ASCA Level 3 coach and a Level 2 coach with USA Water Polo. Jack Roney - Senior Assistant Coach/Co-Head Masters Coach jack.roney@ymcatriangle.org 919.582.9302 Jack is in his fourth season with YOTA. He currently serves as the Senior Assistant Coach out of the N.C. State University facility and over-sees the Silver Group. Jack comes to YOTA from Charlotte, NC where he was an All-American at Myers Park High School. Jack also swam competitively for 7 years under the ultra-successful New South Swimming program in downtown Charlotte. Jack finished his swimming career with the Wolfpack at North Carolina State University. Jack was recruited to swim for NC State by YOTA Director Chad Onken and was training partners his senior year with past YOTA coach and Olympian Dan Velez. Jack holds the school record in the 200 Breaststroke (1:59.59) as well as ranks 6th all-time in school history in the 100 Breaststroke (55.64). Jack holds a B.A. degree in History from N.C. State University and is an ASCA Level 3 certified swimming coach and recipient of the 2010 Doc Counsilman Creative Coaching Award along with fellow YOTA coach Tom Hazelett Jack is married to the former Maresa Like-Mathews of Hyattsville, Maryland. They have two dogs - Labradoodle (Yogi) and Goldendoodle (Boomer) and live in Fuquay-Varina. Tom Hazelett - Durham YMCA Head Site Coach tom.hazelett@ymcatriangle.org Coach Tom Hazelett is in his fifth year with the YOTA program. During his first year, Tom served as the lead coach for our Finley Varsity group as well as assisting with the Platinum group. Tom is now in his fourth year as Head Site Coach for our Downtown Durham location. That site has grown from 4 to 50 athletes during his tenure there. Tom comes to YOTA from Danville, Indiana where he was a successful swimming instructor and high school/summer coach for the town of Danville. Tom has a history of growing programs both in Indiana and now in Durham. In addition to heading up YOTA at the Downtown Durham YMCA, Tom is also the Aquatic Director, overseeing of all pool management and operations in the facility and leading WeBuildPeople campaigns at the Durham YMCA. Tom lives in Mebane with his wife Nicole and cat Zoey. When not coaching, Tom is an avid golfer who loves to play ultimate frisbee and basketball along with the occasional tennis or racquetball match. He is an enormous Purdue Boilermaker and Indianapolis Colts fan. Tom has a bachelor's degree in History from Purdue University where he played water-polo for 2 years. Tom is a 2-palm Eagle Scout, an ASCA Level 2 certified/ Level 3 educated coach and recipient of the ASCA 2010 Doc Counsilman Creative Coaching Award along with fellow YOTA coach Jack Roney Andrew Lichty - Durham Assistant Coach andrew.lichty@ymcatriangle.org Andrew has lived in Durham, NC most of his life. Andrew went to Charles E. Jordan High School. After high school Andrew attended Elon University where he received a degree in Leisure and Sport Management with a Minor in Business Administration. While at Elon Andrew got back into swimming participating in a program called U-Swim which encourages students nationwide to swim and use their collegiate facilities. Andrew studied abroad and lived in Perugia, Italy for four months and traveled to over 15 different locations throughout Europe. After graduating from Elon, Andrew worked with/ for Octagon where he covered golf tournament operations for the REX Hospital Open and SAS Championship. Andrew was discovered by Coach Tom while training for a triathlon and given the opportunity to assist with the Durham site. Andrew coached alongside Coach Tom for two years and is instrumental in the growth of the Durham site to its current capacity. His hard work and dedication, not only of his time to YOTA but his education of swimming has earned him a full time spot on the coaching staff as of last April. When not coaching, Andrew spends his time with his family including his niece and nephew. In addition he has done several triathlons and is in constant training for more. He is an avid golfer and enjoys playing soccer whenever he gets the chance. Carrie Chandler - Senior Silver Assistant Coach This is Carrie's first season with YOTA, where she will serve as an assistant to our Silver Group. She is very excited to become a part of the YOTA family, and is looking forward to bringing her enthusiasm and knowledge about swimming to the pool deck! Carrie began swimming competitively more than 10 years ago for several teams including summer, year round, and high school teams. Additionally, she has coached a summer league swim team with swimmers of all ages for the past six years, including three years as head coach. Carrie also swam competitively for several years under the successful Virginia Gators program in Roanoke,VA. Carrie was born in New York and has lived in many different locations such as Luxembourg, Virginia, and now North Carolina. Currently, Carrie is a Junior at NC State University majoring Sociology where she also is President of the Club Swimming team. Taylor Machikas - Finley YMCA Assistant Coach Taylor.Machikas@ymcatriangle.org This is Taylor's first season with YOTA at the Finley YMCA, where she will serve as the Lead Coach for the White group, and assistant for both the Green and Purple groups. She is very excited to become a part of the YOTA community, and is looking forward to bringing her enthusiasm and knowledge about swimming to the pool deck! Originally from Philadelphia, Taylor moved with her family to Cary, NC the summer before her senior year in high school. Prior to becoming a coach in 2008, Taylor swam competitively for 13 years with several different teams in Philadelphia and Raleigh, capping her swimming career at the Easterns Swimming & Diving Championships(PA) in 2005. Taylor has also attended the Stanford University Swim Camp for eight summers, where she was coached by the former women's Olympic Coach Richard Quick, whose techniques she uses daily with her swimmers. As a coach, Taylor was an assistant coach for the Reserve Stingrays in 2009 and 2010, and served as the head coach for the Glenridge Gators in 2011. Taylor recently graduated from Elon University with her B.S. in Biology, and plans to attend nursing school in the near future. Taylor is currently training to become a DONA certified doula, and hopes to volunteer at UNC hospital this year. Jennifer Speerschneider - Finley YMCA Assistant Coach jtburnett@rocketmail.com Coach Jen is in her eithth season with YOTA after joining the program in May of 2004. She currently serves at the Finley YMCA as the Green Lead Coach and White assistant coach. Jen swam competitively for 12 years. As an age group and senior swimmer for USAS and YMCA programs both in Virginia and New Jersey. She finished her swimming career at N.C. State, where she was teammates with her future husband, Derek. After finishing her college swimming career, Jen coached age groupers at the Raleigh Swimming Association for several years before coming to YOTA. Jen has also worked for Nortel Networks and Price Waterhouse Coopers as an HR Consultant, and she holds a degree in Business Management from N.C. State. Away from practice, Jen spends her time with her husband and their four children. Josh Windham - Finley YMCA Assistant Coach In his second year with YOTA, Josh serves as the lead coach for the Bronze group at the Finley YMCA. He has been a competitive swimmer since age 10, and is excited to once again bring his experience in the pool to our coaching staff. Josh began his swimming career at a young age in summer league, eventually moving on to club swimming with NOMAD at age eleven. He competed for NOMAD and North Mecklenburg High School for the next seven years, providing a diverse background in many levels of competition. Josh is currently a Junior at North Carolina State University. Wendy Medlin - Cary YMCA Assistant Coach Wendy Medlin brings a diverse background to the YOTA Swim Team. A former YOTA coach from 2000-2004, Wendy returns to the coaching ranks after teaching swim lessons, coaching the Cary Y summer swim team, and teaching preschool at the YMCA. Wendy is married and has two girls that both swim for YOTA. She is an avid runner and biker and also loves spending time with her family. She graduated from Temple University with a B.S. in Exercise Science. While at Temple, Wendy swam (on scholarship) for two years and rowed crew for three years. Coach Wendy started swimming year round at eleven years old for the Passiac Clifton YWCA in New Jersey. Michael "Sonny" Menzo - Cary YMCA Assistant Coach Sonny grew up in Charlotte, NC where he swam at South Mecklenburg High School and Ardrey Kell High School. He continues his education at NC State University where he is a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering. Sonny has been coaching summer league teams for the past 5 years including the Morrison YMCA in Charlotte, NC and local neighborhood summer league teams. Sonny is looking forward to working with Coach Brooks and helping at the Cary site. Kathleen McEwen - Durham YMCA Assistant Coach Coach Kathleen Learned to swim at a very early age at the Columbus Hilltop Y, and have loved being in the water ever since, whether that's the beach or the pool. She swam year round in high school for both the Varsity team and the Columbus Hilltop Y along with a summer league team. She attended Miami of Ohio and swam club for a 2 years. She recently moved here a little over a year ago from Columbus Ohio and works for Duke as a Clinical Trials Assistant in cancer research. Kathleen graduated from Miami University of Ohio, not to be confused with University of Miami (we were a school before Florida was even a state!). Kathleen volunteered with YOTA last summer before becoming one of the assistant coaches at Durham for this year and she will be working mainly with the white and green groups. She has absolutely loves getting to know the swimmers in these groups since the beginning and is excited to be a part of the YOTA staff. Michael Searle - Kerr YMCA Assistant Coach Coach Michael is in his first season with the YOTA Swim Team. He grew up in Virginia Beach while his dad was in the Navy. He moved to Wake Forest in 1973 where he worked as a prosthetic technician for 18 years and he has been a stain glass artist for 12 years. Since 2005, he’s been working locally as a massage therapist with his main focus being therapeutic massage. Many of you might have seen Michael on deck coaching the Stingrays summer team, teaching adults swimming lessons and working with the Jr Competitor groups at Kerr. Welcome Michael to our staff! Patrick Legger - Kerr YMCA Assistant Coach Becoming part of the YOTA coaching staff in the summer of 2011, this is Patrick's first full season with YOTA at the Kerr YMCA, where he will serve as the Assisstant Coach for the White, Green, and also for the Bronze Group. Having been an athlete on YOTA through most of his high school years, Patrick is very excited to officially be a part of the coaching staff of this great team. Originally from Canada, Patrick moved to Raleigh, NC the summer before he began first grade. He started his swimming career at the age of 12 on the junior competitor group. After an intense year of training, he made the cuts to be on the YOTA Purple group a little after his 13th birthday. Patrick then swam competitively for 5 years with YOTA and also the Wakefield High School. Patrick has just graduated from Wakefield High School in May 2011 and is now attending full-time classes at Wake Technical Community College. Patrick's coaching career started with the Kerr Stingrays Summer Swim Team in the summer 2009 as an assistant coach and he continued coaching the stingrays the summer of 2010. He started coaching on YOTA in May of 2011 and coached through the summer and is very excited to start this new season! Rebecca Reed - Kerr YMCA Assistant Coach Starting her swimming career early at age 7 in Virginia, Coach Rebecca went on to swim at Rutgers University eventually transferring to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. While competing her Junior and Senior year at JMU Rebecca's best events were the 400IM and the 500free. After graduation Rebecca became an assistant coach for James Madison from 2006-2007 and has coached summer league teams in both Harrisonburg and Newport, VA. Coach Rebecca is excited to be a part of the YOTA coaching staff! In her free time she enjoys running, cooking and spending time with her family. Coach Rebecca is married to Jason and they have a son Carter.