Hi, my name is Wendy Lawrence, and I became the Aquatics Director and Head Coach for the AJCC swim team in April of 2018. I am a native to Asheville, and was born and raised in the Candler area. I have watched Asheville evolve over the past few decades, and XXXXX. I can't remember a time when I didn't know how to swim. According to my mother, I have been swimming since I was 18 months old. My education and background work is in Early Childhood Education, and it wasn't until I assumed the position of Asheville JCC's Aquatics Director in 2018 that swimming transformed from a hobby to a passion. Swimming has taken on a whole new meaning to me as I work every day to fulfill the Jewish Commandment to "teach children to swim," and grow our aquatic programs. I grew the Learn to Swim Program and created the AJCC's first USA Swim Club--the AJCC Gefilte Fish/Smokin' Salmon. I reside in Candler with my partner Kristin and our three fur babies: Millie, Shanit, and Matilda.
Riley Edmundson - Assistant Coach
Hi, I am Riley Edmundson. I grew up in Dallas, TX, and I am now a rising junior attending the University of North Carolina at Asheville. My major is Economics and I am also minoring in Psychology. I enjoy doing research and in my free time I love a good book. Some of my favorite research so far has been within the realms of education, broadband access , and redlining. In the future my research focus will shift into Behavioral Economics. I enjoy reading anytype of literature, but my favorite would have to be historical fiction (1984, Kite Runner)!
Swimming has always been a huge aspect of my life. The sport has allowed me to not only grow as a person but as a teammate. One thing Division 1 swimming has taught me is how to be part of a team. Being committed to a sport up to this point has allowed me to have amazing time management skills and discipline. I have been coaching since about 2019 and have loved it ever since. Prioritizing kids and their love for the sport is something I will always look forward to because of what the sport has taught me.
“Hi! My name is Caroline and I am a junior on the UNCA swim and dive team from Raleigh, NC. I have been swimming for about 15 years, and have been working with kids for half of that time. I have been a lifeguard, swim coach, camp counselor, and babysitter/nanny. I am majoring in psychology and sociology, and hope to pursue my PhD in psychology post-grad. My best strokes are butterfly and freestyle, and a fun fact about me is that I went to Olympic Trials in 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska. Also, I have a little bunny named Bijou (Biji)!”
Olivia Ciancimino - Assistant Coach
Hi, my name is Olivia Ciancimino! I grew up in central Florida my whole life and am now a junior attending the University of North Carolina at Asheville. I have been a swim instructor for 5 years now teaching children and adults of all ages. I have swam competitively for a large majority of my life and am now a division 1 college-athlete that loves sharing my passion of swimming to others!
