Meet Our Coaches
Coach Ryan, Level 4 ASCA Coach
Head Coach, Merced Skimmers Swim Team
Hello, Skimmer Nation! My name is Ryan. This year marks the 9th year I’ve had the pleasure of serving as head coach and 15th year I’ve coached on the Merced Skimmers Swim Team. I coached 4 years as an assistant for the Merced College Water Polo and Swim Teams. Additionally, I coached 2 years as the assistant varsity swim coach for Urbana High School in 2015 and 2016.
I swam competitively for 16 years. 10 of those years for Skimmers, for Merced High, Merced College, and on scholarship at the University of Findlay in Ohio. My favorite event to swim was the 1650yd freestyle.
I am also a full-time teacher. When I am not teaching or coaching, I enjoy reading, hiking, watching football (Go Packers!), going to music concerts, and spending time with my wife and newborn daughter.
We have many talented age group and senior swimmers. My goal is to help my swimmers reach their goals, help unlock their potential, and continue to instill passion in the great sport of swimming to my swimmers. It is important to me that our Skimmers maintain a positive mindset, a growth mindset, have fun, and everyone is celebrated for their accomplishments/improvements.
The Merced Skimmers is a special program. I was influenced to coach by many outstanding Merced Skimmers coaches. These coaches include Kit Grattan (Merced High School), Betsy Bell, Justin Carter (Olympic Trials Qualifier), Dan Alcorn (former Buhach High Coach), Nikki Kline, Micha Pavlovic (Sanger High Coach), and Michelle Koenig (El Capitan High coach and swim lessons coach for almost everyone in Merced).
The Merced Skimmers Swim Team has a long rich tradition of creating great memories, friendships, and results in the pool. I’m excited to continue the tradition. Let’s soar!
Coach Sydney
Age Group Lead Coach, Merced Skimmers Swim Team
Coaches of Waiders 1, Lavas, and Gulls Groups
Hello everyone! My name is Sydney Finn and I am a new age group lead coach with the Merced Skimmers!
I have been swimming competitively since I was about eight years old. I swam for Skimmers when I was younger. I am currently apart of the Merced College swim and waterpolo team. I also coached swimming for college 4 kids! My favorite event to swim would have to be the 100 IM.
Some of my favorite things are fruit, the beach, and the color yellow.
I am so excited to be on the pool deck and get to work with these swimmers. My goal this year is to help build relationships with all of my swimmers! I am hoping to help swimmers keep a positive mindset and help improve their stroke in any way that I can!
Coach Laura
Coach of Waiders and Swim Lessons, Merced Skimmers Swim Team
Hi! My name is Laura Tweed! I’m excited to coach and be part of the Skimmers family! I’ve been in swim and waterpolo since sophomore year of high school and currently on the Merced College Water Polo team. I’ve been a swim instructor for the Merced College 4 Kids program for 3 summers now where I work with a range of ages, from babies to teenagers; teaching how to swim for their first time to coaching and perfecting swimming techniques. My favorite event to swim is the 50 fly or the 100IM!
A few of my favorite things (that’s not swimming related) are snowboarding, lifting weights, Thai food and the color pink!
My goal this upcoming season is to get to know each swimmer, help them reach their personal goals, and foster a love for swimming through positive and effective coaching.
