Adam Nelsen has been dedicated to swimming since he was just 4 years old. He began competing under the guidance of Coach Paul Blair with the LRRC Dolphins. Early on, Adam showed a remarkable understanding of the mechanics of swimming and a natural affinity for the water, which grew into a deep love for the sport. Throughout his career as an Arkansas swimmer, Adam set numerous state and association records in various individual events and relays across different age groups.

In 2014, Adam was honored with an induction into the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame, marking a significant highlight of his swimming career. He acknowledged the invaluable support from coaches, officials, and parents throughout his journey. Feeling a sense of responsibility to give back, Coach Adam decided to dedicate himself to coaching, aiming to instill a lifelong love of swimming in the next generation.

Currently, Adam serves as the Aquatics Director for the City of Benton in Arkansas. He is responsible for developing, organizing, and implementing innovative aquatic programs that enhance the swimming skills, physical fitness, and mental well-being of all residents in Saline County. Adam leverages his extensive experience with Arkansas Swimming, his education in community health, and his dynamic communication and motivational skills.

Coach Adam is happily married to his wife, Monica, and they have six children: Morgan, Dylan, Aubrey, Zach, Eli, and Gabe. In his free time, he enjoys performing music and traveling with his family.

Highlights of his career:

• 2014 AR Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2017 Arkansas Swimming Age Group Coach of the Year
• 2018 Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association Professional of the Year
• 2018 ARPA Sports Program of the Year – Benton Sharks
• 2019 World Aquatics Health Conference Speaker
• 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021  Arkansas Zones Team Coach
• Head Coach for the Central Arkansas Swim Club Racers (9 locations)
• Catholic High School Coach
• Age Group Chair for Arkansas Swimming
• AR Swimming Hall of Fame Banquet coordinator
• 2019 1^st Place Girls for ARSI 14 and Under Age Group Championships
• 2020 1^st Place Girls, Boys, Combined for ARSI 14 and Under Age Group Championships

Coach Dylan Nelsen brings high-level experience across high school, collegiate, and age-group swimming. She is the Assistant Coach for the Varsity and Junior Varsity swim teams at Berkeley High School, works with the University of California’s collegiate program on athlete development and recruitment, and coaches with UC Berkeley's age-group program, training swimmers ages six to fourteen.

Each summer, Dylan returns to Arkansas to coach with the Arkansas Racers Swim Club, leading dryland workouts and age-group and senior-level practices. She’s known for creating athlete-centered environments that build technical excellence, confidence, and growth.

Her coaching excellence has earned national recognition: she is a 2023 ASCA 30 Under 30 Grant Recipient, a two-time Arkansas Age Group Coach of the Year nominee, and recipient of both the USA Swimming LSC Trailblazer Award and the Heil Mile Award. She has also served as a Zones Team coach for Arkansas in 2023 and 2024.

Outside the pool, Dylan serves on USA Swimming’s National Officials Committee and represents Arkansas athletes on several statewide and national committees focused on DEI, athlete protection, and leadership development.

Dmitrii Bokanhel (Dima) was born in Volzhskii, Russia, and began swimming at the age of 7. He started his swimming career with the club team "Volga" in Volgograd. Over the past 25 years, Dima has gained extensive experience in the sport, including his time on the Russian national team, where he competed in major international meets and became the Russian national champion in the 400 m freestyle. He also swam for Henderson State University while studying sports management.

Dima has a wealth of experience as a swim coach. In Russia, he coached professionally, teaching children in the government swim program and working as a private coach for elite swimmers. He later served as the Head Coach at iSwim Academy in Lebanon. Dima's coaching philosophy is built on his technical knowledge and international training experience, emphasizing practice, flexibility, visualization, realization, self-motivation, and knowledge sharing.

Dima excels in working with swimmers of all ages and skill levels, particularly in helping them refine their technique and achieve their personal best. He believes that swimming is the best sport on the planet and aims to inspire others to love it as much as he does. He encourages swimmers to practice regularly to enhance their performance and technique.

Coach Lucy brings a lifelong passion for competitive swimming to her role,

drawing on years of experience in the pool as a multi All-Conference and

All-State athlete. A confident, skilled swimmer and an encouraging voice

on deck, she creates a safe, supportive space where athletes can grow

and thrive. Outside the pool, she volunteers with Special Olympics and

shines as an All-Region choir member, demonstrating her heart for

community and her dedication to excellence in everything she does.   

A former NCAA Division I swimmer at the University of Texas, Coach Kayde Cross brings elite-level experience and a strong commitment to athlete development. He has coached both summer league and age group club swimmers, helping athletes progress from foundational skills to competitive performance. Known for his detail-oriented approach, Kayde designs workouts that blend technical precision with variety, keeping swimmers engaged while challenging both body and mind.

His coaching philosophy focuses on building resilience, confidence, and discipline. These qualities support athletes both in the pool and beyond. Kayde is passionate about creating a positive team culture where swimmers are inspired to pursue their potential through hard work and a genuine love for the sport.

Justin joins our team as Assistant Coach, bringing a strong foundation in swim instruction and pool leadership. He has served as head lifeguard and has over a year of experience teaching swim lessons, where his calm, encouraging style helps swimmers build confidence and skill.

Outside the pool, Justin is a nursing student at Arkansas Tech University and works as a behavioral technician aid, which deepens his ability to support young athletes with patience and care. He’s passionate about helping swimmers grow and is excited to be part of a team that values both progress and community.