Coaching Staff Summer Session 2019

Natalie Longoria - Head Coach

A former Sea Lion and Redwings swimmer, Natalie’s passion for St. Johns swimming is easy to see. As an assistant coach for the last two seasons, Natalie now steps into the role of managing our coaches and lesson plans as well as overseeing the progress of all our kids. We know she will do a great job! Natalie and her husband Mike are proud parents to Sea Lion, Preston Longoria.

 

Peter Sperry - Assistant Coach

Peter has been with the Sea Lions for over five years and continues to be one of our swimmers favorite coaches to learn from.  A former Sea Lion and Redwing swimmer, Peter has recently taken a job as Kindergarten Teacher in Dewitt.  Peter still holds a few Sea Lions records that he hopes are broken in the near future.

 

Andy Murray - Assistant Coach

Andy has been the Head Coach for the Owosso Varsity Girls team for the past 3 years and the Owosso Middle School Team for the past 5. A former Sea Lion and Redwing swimmer, Andy went on to spend 15 years teaching swim lessons, life guarding and managing the St. Johns City Pool and Grand Rapid Aquatics Center. Andy’s experience will be invaluable to our club as he assists with the weekly training plans and workouts. When he’s not busy coaching, Andy enjoys completing Marathons (3), Half Ironman Triathlons (6) and Ironman Triathlons (3). Andy and his wife Ashley are proud parents to Sea Lion, Lizzy Murray.

 

Nick Bishop - Assistant Coach

Nick returns as another former Sea Lion and is a proud parent to Sea Lion Madelyn Sweckard. His favorite part of coaching is watching kids set new personal records

 

Dr. Tyler Dickinson - Strength and Conditioning

Dr. Dickenson is a St. Johns native and earned a degree in Human Biology while wrestling for Michigan State University. His Healthy Living Nutrition Course, Family Fitness Night, Couch to 5K, Strong Core - Healthy Spine classes have improved health & fitness in our community and we are excited for him to share his talents with the St. Johns Sea Lions.

 

David Pumfrey - Junior Coach

David is a former Sea Lion and current Ovid Elsie Varsity swimmer.  He is a current lifeguard and is our very first coach to enter the Junior Coaching Program.  He is currently working towards his USA Swimming Level 1 credentials.  Update 3/20/19 David is now a USA Swimming Member Coach!

 

Coach Natalie gives some final instructions.
Coach Natalie gives some final instructions.
Dr. Dickenson oversees the nights circuit training.
Coach Andy working on technique.
Coach Peter coaches a first time diver.
Coach Peter explains the next drill.
Coach David congratulates Jack on a successful meet.
Coach David congratulates Jack on a successful meet.

Junior Coaching Program

We are excited to introduce the launch of our Junior Coaching Program.  The purpose of this program will be to find and develop strong coaches for the future of our Swim Club.  Working with our current coaching staff, our new coaches will have a chance to observe our practices as well as develop their own coaching style.

We envision the candidates for this program coming from current Redwing (and other local High School) swimmers as well as from our own Elite swimmers.  In addition to a one season “apprenticeship” type of start, new coaches will also be asked to complete lifeguard training and Level 1 and 2 of the USA Swimming and American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Certification Program.  We believe this will give them the opportunity to succeed as coaches and ensure our swimmers continue to get quality coaching.

Program Key Points:

  • 1 year minimum apprenticeship 
  • Pay rate increase after 1 year apprenticeship
  • Promoted to Assistant Coach after 1 year apprenticeship
  • Level 1 USA Swimming Certification
  • Michigan Swimming Non-Athlete Membership
  • Red Cross Lifeguard Certification
  • Safety Training for Swim Coaches
  • Concussion Training
  • Athlete Protection Training
  • Foundations of Coaching 101
  • Pay rate increase after Level 1 USA Certification
  • Foundations of Coaching 201
  • Rules and Regulations for Coaches
  • American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Level 2 Certification
  • The Stroke School course
  • Pay rate increase after Level 2 ASCA Certification

Current Junior Coaches

David Pumfrey

Concussion Training

Safety Training for Swim Coaches

Foundations of Coaching 101

Member Coach!