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. I cannot 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 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 reside in Candler with my partner Kristin and our three fur babies: Millie, Shanti, and Jolene.
Email: [email protected]
Will Scoggins - Head Coach
Coach Will Scoggins steps into the role of Head Coach for the Asheville JCC in 2025. He has been coaching swimming since 2015, including stints in North Carolina and Virginia.
He has had the opportunity to work with swimmers across all levels of the sport from helping 8 & Unders develop their first strokes to supporting athletes who have qualified for national-level competitions. He takes pride in meeting each swimmer where they are, fostering growth through patient instruction, consistent technical focus, and a genuine love for the sport.
Coach Will brings a philosophy centered on developing strong fundamentals while helping athletes discover the joy of racing. He combines a competitive edge with a calm, focused approach. When not on the deck, Will enjoys being outdoors, fishing, and hunting! It is with great excitement that he looks to build on the success of the Smokin Salmon!
Email: [email protected]
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.
