Coaching Staff and Board of Directors
American
Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) – Level 5
SSDC Dryland Certification
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Coach Justin brings to Beach Cities Alpha a long history of competing and coaching at the highest levels of our sport. Justin joined his first swim team at the age of 4, and competed for his local High School, Club, and Summer League teams all the way through high school. He attended and graduated from the University of Kentucky where he was a 4-year varsity letter winner on the men’s Swimming&Diving team as well as an All-SEC Community Service Team member, an All-SEC Academic Award Winner, and an inductee into UK’s Frank G Hamm Society of Character.
Coach Justin began coaching professionally for his hometown Greater Columbus Swim Team of Ohio (GCSTO), serving first as an Age Group Coach, then a Head Age Group Coach, and finally the Head National Team Coach. While with GCSTO, Coach Justin’s athletes achieved numerous Junior National and National qualifying times as well as many team and LSC records, and one of his athletes went on to win a US National Title.
Coach Justin left GCSTO to pursue his passion for coaching with Summit City Aquatics in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After serving one season as Head Age Group Coach, he was promoted to Head Coach and served in that role for more than 5 years. During that time, SCA produced several Indiana LSC state records, numerous Junior National qualifiers, and US and Canadian Olympic Trials Qualifiers. The team also achieved its highest ever national ranking and earned Bronze Medal status in his last two years. During this time, Coach Justin also served as the Head Coach for Homestead High School’s Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving teams, where he led the Girls to 4 team Sectional Championships and the Boys to 3, as well as earning nearly 30 NISCA All-American awards.
Most recently, Coach Justin coached for the Mission Viejo Nadadores. With the Nadadores, Justin worked mainly with the Senior athletes but also spent almost a year serving as the 13/14 Division Director. Coach Justin led Mission Viejo’s Senior Gold and Senior Silver training groups and also served as the National Team Head Sprint Coach. While with Mission, Coach Justin helped athletes achieve many Junior National, National, and Olympic Trials qualifying times as well as several Junior National Championships and team, LSC, and National records.
Coach Justin believes in a high intensity and high quality approach to the sport with a heavy emphasis on individualized technique. He also strives to foster an upbeat and positive atmosphere where athletes can step on the pool deck each day ready to work hard AND have fun while chasing their goals.
"I am honored and excited to be joining Beach Cities Alpha, and I look forward to working together with our athletes, families, and staff to lead our team into its best chapter yet. Go BCA!"
Coach Scott was born in Edina, MN. His first aquatic experience began at the age of 6 months when his parents enrolled him and his sister in water baby classes. Coach Scott showed proficiency as he grew, and by age 8 had ascended to the top of the swim lessons program. He transitioned into competitive swimming and immediately took to the sport with many early successes. In 1984, at age 12, Coach Scott’s family moved to Sacramento, CA where he joined legendary Hall of Fame coach Sherm Chavoor of the Arden Hills Swim Club. Sherm had coached numerous Olympians including Debbie Meyer, Mark Spitz, Mike Burton, and most recently, Jeff Float, who was a member of the 1984 4 x 200 “Gross Buster” relay. Coach Scott’s swimming career accelerated under Sherm and by his Junior year in high school, he was among the top college prospects in mid-distance freestyle. As a 16-year-old he broke the Junior National record in the 200M free with a time of 1:51.64 and attended his first Olympic Trials for the 1988 team. A year later he broke another Junior National record in the 400M free with a time of 3:56.56. Coach Scott then moved to California Capital Aquatics for his final year of high school and trained under Coach Mike Hastings where he placed 2nd at winter nationals in 500 free (4:22:83) and eventually accepted a scholarship to UCLA. He swam for the Bruins for 3 years, until the men’s team was cut for Title 9. Coach Scott elected to retire from swimming rather than transfer from UCLA with one year of eligibility remaining. Upon retiring he became an assistant coach at Team Santa Monica, coaching distance freestyle to the Senior and Senior Development groups, as well as coaching masters for SCAQ, LMU, and UCLA. Coach Scott still enjoys swimming and will occasionally compete in open-water events. He currently lives in Westchester with his son, Lucas, and dog, Shelly.
American
Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) - Level 4
Now in his 20th season in SoCal Swimming's Pacific Committee
and 8th with Beach Cities Alpha, Coach Tim's goal is to
keep things fast and fun, with a healthy dose of inspiration.
He encourages each member of his athletic family to be
committed to each other (aka teamwork) and to the fulfillment
of their individual athletic and academic potential. His
extensive and diverse coaching history has led him work with every
level of athlete, from novice to pro. Beginning way back in
his high school days in the Cincinnati Country Club League, his
coaching career includes some time as an undergraduate assistant at
Kenyon College, three seasons at the CIF level with
Harvard-Westlake School and Palisades Charter High School, six
seasons with Team Santa Monica, three seasons with Swim Torrance
and six seasons with Westside Aquatics.
Coach Tim's athletes have produced U.S. Olympic Trials cuts, SCS
records, National Top 10 performances, USA Swimming All-Time Top
100 performances, Junior National qualifying times, numerous
team records and, thanks to some of these outstanding performances
by his athletes, he was named one of the Top 50 Age Group Coaches
of the Year by ASCA and Fitter & Faster in 2023. From
2008-2010, he was the developmental coach of a 2016 &
2021 U.S. Olympian and 2015 World Champion. Throughout
his career (thanks to several great mentor coaches), he has been
fortunate enough to work with some of the sport's best athletes,
which include an American record holder, NCAA champions, U.S. and
Australian Olympic Trials qualifiers, International Open Water
medalists, National Junior Team members and numerous Junior and
Senior National qualifiers.
As an athlete in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, Coach Tim was a
U.S. Open qualifier, Junior National qualifier, NAG Top-16 athlete
and YMCA National Champion, while representing the Cincinnati
Marlins and the M.E. Lyons YMCA. However, it was his
experience as a State Champion and All-American at Cincinnati St.
Xavier High School that cemented his passion for the sport.
(Swimming World Magazine recently ranked the St. Xavier High School
men's swimming team as the 3rd best high school program in
history.)
After graduating from St. X in 1998, he competed for NCAA Division
III powerhouse Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he was
awarded All-Conference honors. In 2002, he achieved a B.A. in
History from Kenyon.
Youth coaching is his passion, but he also enjoys coaching adult triathletes of all ability levels, including pros, with the local triathlon swimming club, TOWER 26.
Coach Tim is grateful to have an amazing support system in his wife and daughter, who recently donned a Beach Cities Alpha cap as a first-time team member!
Coach Mary was born and raised in Culver City, CA. She swam competitively, from the age of five, until graduating from Culver City High School in 2008, where she swam and played water polo all four years. She then studied political science at Loyola Marymount University.
At the age of 15, she was lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to learn how to teach swimming and has been doing it ever since. Coach Mary has over 17 years of experience in coaching competitive swimming and has coached/taught swimmers of all ages, abilities, and demographics, including the elderly and people with special needs. She offers a comprehensive knowledge of athletic training as well as an ability to guide and empower each individual to optimum athletic success. One of Coach Mary’s talents is inspiring athletes, at every level, to be the best they can be. She is goal-oriented and talented at motivating others.
Over the last two decades, she has demonstrated focus on cultivating hardworking and dedicated athletes and teams with an emphasis on teamwork and perseverance. In 2016, she successfully started her own business providing private swim training, which has further deepened her knowledge of the sport. She remains consistently committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience, while helping athletes develop the skills and confidence they need to improve athletically. She possesses a strong mentoring ability and extensive management experience (she managed the Culver City Plunge for almost seven years).
When not on deck or in the pool, you can find Coach Mary in spin class, boxing, hot yoga, or hiking. She is a lover of all things fitness. Coach Mary is also a spin instructor at CycleBar Culver City and CycleBar Santa Monica.
She is honored to be a member of the Beach Cities Alpha coaching staff!
Coach Sam was born and raised in Culver City, CA. She started swimming at age 6 for a local club team and eventually joined Alpha as one of the original swimmers in 2014. In high school, she was a 4-time Varsity MVP and competed at CIF every year.
Coach Sam returned to Alpha (now Beach Cities Alpha) as a coach after graduating from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in environmental science. She swam for four years on LMU’s swim team as a sprint freestyler/backstroker and was selected as team captain in her final year.
Coach Sam started coaching and teaching swim lessons in high school and continued to do so throughout college. She has experience working with all age groups and most recently was the JV coach for Culver City High School.
She looks forward to working with Beach Cities Alpha athletes and cultivating a fun environment for them to work hard and grow!
Coach Lauren was born and raised in the South Bay. She grew up swimming for Swim Torrance, La Mirada Armada, and Beach Cities Alpha! She was a varsity swimmer for all four years of high school at Peninsula High School, and served as captain her senior year. After graduating high school, Coach Lauren continued to swim in college for the UC Davis club swim team. Coach Lauren has been coaching and teaching swim lessons for almost 10 years. She started teaching swim lessons at Rolling Hills Country Day Camp, working with children ages 4-13 of a variety of skill levels. She also served as Assistant Coach for the Alameda High School girls swim team from 2022-2024. Not only does Lauren enjoy teaching on the pool deck, but she also works as a middle school teacher! She currently teaches 7th and 8th grade science at Magruder Middle School in Torrance. Coach Lauren is excited to coach for Beach Cities Alpha and inspire her swimmers the way her coaches inspired her.
Coach Jacinta brings over 30 years of experience in athlete development, with a distinguished career that spans multiple coaching roles and leadership positions. Prior to joining the Southern California swimming community, she held Head Coaching and leadership positions in the METRO and AMS LSCs. Since 2018, she has been a valued member of the SCS community and, from 2022-24, she served as the Head Coach of Palm Desert Swim Club.
Before that, Coach Jacinta spent years shaping the development of swimmers at Mission Viejo Nadadores, where she was Co-Head Coach, Division Director, and Head Age Group Coach. She has mentored swimmers at every level, from young age group athletes to elite national competitors. Coach Jacinta is a passionate leader, dedicated to helping swimmers unlock their full potential both in the pool and beyond.
Notable Coaching Achievements:
- Two-Time ASCA Top 50 Age Group Coaches of the Year
- Member of Various LSC Coaching Staffs: SCS PAC Coaching Staff, Metro & AMS Zone Teams
- Junior National Qualifiers, High School State Champions, Futures and Sectional Qualifiers
- Athletes achieving Western Zone & USA Swimming Select Teams & Honors
- Executive Board Member (AMS LSC ~ Age Group Vice Chair, two terms)
Now, as part of the Beach Cities Alpha community, Coach Jacinta is excited to bring her experience and leadership to help shape the future of the team. She looks forward to continuing to join this dynamic and driven program.
Go BCA!
Prior to joining BCA, he coached at Whittier College, the University of Maryland Aquatic Club, Pacific University, and the Forest Grove Swim Club. He has had the pleasure to coach LSC champions, National Top 10 athletes, Junior and Senior National qualifiers, NCAA qualifiers and All- Americans, Olympic Trials qualifiers, and World Championships participants. Coach Tim has also placed athletes on national teams and had an athlete compete at Deaf World Championships.
A native Oregonian, Coach Tim enjoys cycling, live music, and exploring Southern California.
Melissa has
developed a great passion for swimming over the past 16 years.
She was a competitive swimmer from elementary school through
high school. In college, Melissa was an Assistant Swim Coach
for Robinson High school in Fairfax, VA, from 2007-2008. She also
helped as a special needs private swim instructors.
One of my passions is to work with children who have Down syndrome,
Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, ADD, and with children who have
other multiple disorders or handicaps. I have a great deal of
experience with teaching water safety to these swim students and
was the person my boss would send these pupils to at my former swim
instruction job.
This past High School season Melissa was an Assistant Swim Coach for the JV team at Mira Costa High School. Before joining Beach Cities Alpha she was a Lead Senior 2 Coach at Swim Torrance and assisted with the rest of the groups from Sharks to Age Groups from Oct 2018 to April 2019.
I graduated with my B.A. in Sociology from George Mason University in 2009. After college I was a substitute teacher, predominately with special needs children for K through 12th Grade. I have taught all levels of American Red Cross classes: Baby and Me, Toddler and Me, Levels 1 to 6, Stroke Mechanics 1 to 5, and Adults Classes. Melissa strives on being patient with her athletes and also adapting to their needs. She looks forward to helping BCA continue to grow in the South Bay.
After teaching at the YMCA for 5 years, Greg pursued other career avenues, but ultimately realized that teaching swim and developing athletes was his passion. He returned to the YMCA of the Foothills in 2019 as the new Head Coach. He took a swim team with 10 swimmers and turned it into the largest and most competitive YMCA swim team in Southern California. During his time as Head Coach, he learned how to develop all aspects of a successful aquatics program.
Coach Greg strives to have a positive impact on the lives of his swimmers and believes in working with all swimmers on an individual basis regardless of ability.
Umberto has always loved the water from a young age. He began at the Westchester YMCA, progressing from swim lessons to the swim team, where he qualified for Winter/June Age Groups and Summer Junior Olympics. He later swam with the Royal Swim Team and attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, competing in varsity swimming all four years and water polo for one year, earning a total of five varsity letters. He went on to swim collegiately at California Lutheran University, specializing in butterfly and IM. During his time at CLU, he began coaching with South Coast Aquatics, where he discovered his passion for teaching and coaching. He later joined the Daland Swim Team in Thousand Oaks, working with athletes from pre-team to Sectional level while also designing and leading their strength and conditioning program.
Now entering his fourth season with Beach Cities Alpha, Umberto has coached and assisted with every level of the program—from Pre-Competitive to Age Group (Beach) to Senior. Among his accomplishments on staff, he has served as an assistant coach at the 2024 SCS All-Star Festival in Las Vegas (Green Team, 1st Place!) and has helped BCA swimmers achieve multiple championship time standards, such as Age Group Champs, Age Group Elite, and Sectionals.
Outside the pool, his hobbies include weightlifting, video games, pick-up basketball, and maximizing his Annual Pass to Disneyland. Umberto is proud to be part of Beach Cities Alpha and remains committed to helping swimmers grow through the lessons and experiences he has gained as a lifelong student-athlete.
Over the years, Coach Shan discovered a true passion for helping athletes grow both in and out of the pool. With experience developing swimmers from beginners to competitive athletes, he emphasizes discipline, steady improvement, and a supportive environment at every practice.
Coach Shan is currently a student at Loyola Marymount University and is excited to bring energy, structure, and individual attention to the team.
Coach
Heaven is originally from
Folsom, California and previously swam for the club team Wolverine
Aquatics in Rocklin, California.
Prior to
joining BCA, Coach Heaven had 8+ years of
experience providing group and individual swim lessons, ranging
from learn-to-swim to developing technique with advanced
swimmers.
Coach Heaven attended and
swam for the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) from
2016-2020. She was the 2017 MPSF Freshman of the Year and served as
team captain her Junior and Senior year. She graduated UCSB
with a degree in Economics and Accounting and is also a licensed
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in California and
Illinois.
Coach Heaven is proud to be
a part of Beach Cities Alpha and is eager to contribute to
BCA’s continued growth and success as a
team!
Whilst at Alpha, Luka also swam 4 years on the varsity team with Mira Costa High School, and competed in both traditional and open water swimming competitions. It was during this time that Luka first started teaching swim lessons with the City of El Segundo.
Now, after retiring from competitive swimming, Coach Luka is looking to "pay it forward", hoping to share his passion for swimming with the next generation of athletes at BCA.
Born and raised in Redondo beach, California, Fabi has been a competitive swimmer for 12 years and played water polo throughout high school at Redondo Union High School. Since 2022, she has worked as a pool lifeguard and swim instructor, sharing her passion for swimming with kids.Though initially involved in competitive soccer, she has ultimately committed to swimming. Fabi participates in many open water races throughout the year such as Pier to Pier, Swim the avenues, Naples island, etc. As a 2024 graduate, Fabi is currently exploring different majors while enjoying running, swimming, trying new restaurants and reading in her free time.
Coach Heather went on to swim for Penn State University, where she studied psychology and kinesiology. She first found her passion for coaching when she began coaching at Oakmont country club in summer of 2017. She went on to coach for Penn State summer swim camps for the following two summers.
After college, Coach Heather began her career as an elementary school teacher and simultaneously began coaching for Alpha Aquatics in the midst of COVID in December 2020. Heather has been a member of the coaching staff since then, coaching and developing athletes at multiple levels. She has helped qualify many swimmers for Pac Comm Champs, Summer AG Champs and Spring AG Champs.
Currently, Coach Heather helps out our staff when a fellow coach needs coverage, and asists with the scheduling of groups for pool time.
Coach Erik is from Tucson, Arizona where he started swimming at the age of 5 on his neighborhood swim team. He began swimming year-round at age 9 with Ford Aqautics. Coach Erik specialized in sprint Freestyle, garnering multiple top state and sectional finishes. He then moved on to swim for the United States Air Force Academy and was named co-captain his senior year on the team. He graduated from USAFA in 2021 with a BS in biology and was commissioned into the US Space Force as an acquisitions officer. Coach Erik is looking forward to helping grow the next generation of swimmers at Beach Cities Alpha!
Coach Gabrielle was born and raised in Memphis, TN. She started swimming at age 4 to keep up with her older brother. Despite breaking a National Age Group record for 11&12 Girls in the 50 and 100 breaststroke, her swimming trajectory faltered through much of high school. She credits her brother with inspiring her to stay in the sport and swim in college.
Coach Gabrielle is a two-time Olympian, representing Brazil in 1996 and the U.S. in 2000. She was a 22-time All American at Stanford University where she contributed as a member of an American-record setting relay, scorer on the 1998 NCAA Championship team, and co-captain her senior year. As a member of the USA National Team, she went on to swim professionally after college and proudly helped Irvine Novaquatics win a National Championship Team title while also earning the USA Swimming Kiphuth Award for high-point. She credits Coach Dave Salo of Novaquatics with showing her new possibilities of having fun and swimming fast as well as the power of coaching in partnership and believing in oneself.
Coach Gabrielle discovered leadership coaching while pursuing her MBA at Stanford. She gladly draws on her passion for helping people and the extraordinary influence of her previous coaches in supporting Beach Cities Alpha athletes. She delights in being in the water as a master's swimmer, and she is happy to see her daughter Annie also loving the sport as a member of Beach Cities Alpha.
Coach David is from San Antonio, Texas where he began swimming at his summer league swim club. He began swimming year-round at age 11 with Alamo Area Aquatics. Coach David specialized in Breaststroke and IM, garnering multiple top state, sectional, and junior national finishes. He then moved on to swim for the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated from USAFA in 2023 with a BS in Management and a minor in Chinese and was commissioned into the US Space Force as an acquisitions officer. Coach David is looking forward to helping the next generation of swimmers at Beach Cities Alpha achieve their goals professionally and personally.
