Rio Swim Club Staff

Melissa Ripley Competitive Juniors Coach
Melissa Belote was born on October 16, 1956 in Washington D.C. and grew up in Springfield, Virginia. She has been called one of America's greatest swimmers. She first appeared on the national swimming scene at the age of 12 when she qualified for her first US Nationals. In 1972, Melissa won both the 100 and 200 meter Backstroke at Olympic Trials and set a world record in the 200 meter Backstroke.
 
Later that year at the Summer Games in Munich, Germany, Melissa led Team USA as she won three Gold Medals. She placed first in the 100 meter Backstroke, setting an Olympic and American record. She finished first in the 200 meter Backstroke setting a World, Olympic, and American record. She also swam the lead off leg on the World, Olympic, and American record setting 400 Medley Relay team. In 1973, Melissa continued her dominance when she won the 200 meter Backstroke at the World Championships. In 1976, Melissa made her second Olympic team, which competed in Montreal, Canada. Melissa finished fifth in the 200 meter Backstroke, setting a new American record.
 
From 1970 to 1979, Melissa won 8 AAU Individual National Championships and was a 16 time AAU All-American. She also won 6 individual National Collegiate Swimming Championships and led her college team, Arizona State University to two National Championships. Melissa was a four-year All-American at Arizona State University. In 1972 and 1973, Melissa was the runner-up for the Sullivan Award, the highest amateur award recognized in the United States. In 1977, she won the Broderick Award as the Outstanding Women's Collegiate Swimmer in America.
 
Melissa is in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, the Washington Hall of Stars, the Arizona State University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. In 1999 Melissa was selected to the United States Swimming “Team of the Century,” as well as, Sports Illustrated top 50 athletes from the state of Virginia, and the Arizona Republic Newspapers top 100 Athletes of Arizona.
 
Melissa has been involved with swimming, either as a swimmer or coach, since 1965 when she started competing as an 8 year old at her community swim club, Springfield Swim & Racquet Club. In addition to her coaching responsibilities at RIO, Melissa is the Head Swim Coach at McClintock High School.
 
Melissa is married to Richard A. Ripley and they have two children, Rachel Alexandra (27) and Erik Alexander (25). Rachel graduated from the University of Missouri where she competed all 4 years and is now working in the fashion industry in New York. Erik recently graduated after swimming 4 years at Towson Univeristy in Maryland and is currently RIO's Senior 2 assistant coach.
 
Melissa Belote Ripley
38 year’s coaching age group swimming
4x All-American for Arizona State University
6x National Collegiate Champion for Arizona State University
2x Olympian (1972 & 1976)
3x Olympic Gold Medalist (World, Olympic and American Record holder)
World Champion 1973 – 200m Backstroke
Sullivan Award Runner-up (1972 & 1973) - Top Amature Athlete in American
Broderick Award for Outstanding Women's Collegiate Swimmer (1977)
Fiesta Bowl All-American (1977)
Arizona Republic Newspaper - Women Athlete of the Year (1977 & 1978)
Inducted into the Arizona State University Athletic Hall of Fame (1981)
Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (1983)
Inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame (1989)
Arizona Republic 100 Greatest Arizona Athletes
Sports Illustrated Top 50 Virginia Athletes
USA Swimming - Female 200 Backstroker of the Century
2008 Arizona Swimming Age Group Coach of the Year
Glen Coy Head Coach - Competitive Team

Glen Coy grew up swimming in Utah, then for Truman State University in Missouri. He joins RIO having coached competitive swimming in the Valley since 1992. Glen has extensive experience coaching all levels and ages. He has seen the athletes he has coached excel at both the state and national levels.

Glen has also been the girls varsity coach at Mesa Mountain View since 1999. His team has placed in the Top 5 at Arizona HS State Championships ten times during his tenure and he has produced multiple state champions, state record holders and All-Americans. Asa coach, Glen believes that working hard and having fun go hand in hand and he encourages the athletes he works with to always pursue both. In addition to coaching swimming, Glen is also a PE teacher for Mesa Public Schools and has been at Franklin Junior High since 2009.

Stephani Miller Asst Coach - Competitive Team

Stephani, an Arizona native, began her swimming journey at the tender age of 3, joining her first developmental swim team. She spent the majority of her swimming career as a club swimmer in Yuma, Arizona, initially with the Southern Arizona Sand Sharks (SASS), now known as the Yuma HEAT. Stephani continued to excel in swimming throughout her high school years at Cibola High School in Yuma, specializing in Butterfly, Backstroke, and Individual Medley (IM) events.

After high school, Stephani's talent was recognized when she was selected to swim for an All-Star Swim Team representing the Rocky Mountain area. This prestigious team traveled and competed in numerous meets and venues, including an international competition in Australia, showcasing her skills on a global stage.

Stephani has gained extensive coaching experience in her hometown of Yuma, serving as an assistant coach for several swim clubs, including the HEAT, Aquaforce, and most recently, the Yuma Krakens. Her dedication to coaching and mentoring young swimmers has been evident throughout her career.

In 2017, Stephani joined the Rio family and took on the role of Head Coach at the Mesa Gilbert location. Over the years, she has coached and mentored numerous swimmers at Rio, helping them achieve their personal bests and fostering a love for the sport. Currently, Stephani serves as the Head Coach at Mesa while also being an Assistant Coach for the Competitive Team, working alongside Coach Glen Coy to develop and train competitive swimmers.

Ownership
David Tait Club Owner / Founder