Coaches and Directors
Kobe was a school record holder in the 100 Breaststroke and 200 Freestyle Relay at Hall High School, where he also earned All-State and All-Academic All-State honors. He continued his swimming career at Southern Connecticut State University, competing in the Northeast-10 Conference. During his collegiate career, he became a 12-time NE-10 medalist, specializing in breaststroke, backstroke, and individual medley events. Kobe also earned All-Academic Conference honors, the conference’s Sport Excellence Award, and the President’s Award for his athletic and academic achievements.
Growing up, Kobe swam for the Sharks, the very program he now leads as Head Coach. His journey from athlete to coach gives him a unique perspective and deep appreciation for the team’s history and culture. He also serves as the Assistant Swim Coach for the University of Saint Joseph.
During the summers, Kobe served as the Head Coach at Hartford Golf Club, leading the team to three consecutive Junior Championship titles. In addition, he spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach for the Sharks before recently taking over as Head Coach.
Kobe is dedicated to helping the Sharks grow as a program while guiding and mentoring all of his athletes to reach their full potential both in and out of the pool.
MaryKate grew up in Manchester, Connecticut developed a passion for swimming as a child at her summer swim club and later swimming for several different US teams throughout the greater Hartford area. Her love for competitive swimming continued into college where she swam for Emory University (Atlanta, GA) and earned Division III All-American honors in 2000 and 2001.
As a coach for the Sharks, she hopes to help each young swimmer reach their individual goals, enjoy the camaraderie of their teammates and have fun!
Today, MaryKate lives in West Hartford with her husband and three daughters (who also swim for the Sharks). She is a former teacher and current educational technology trainer.
Haley grew up swimming on a club team similar to Sharks and fell in love with the sport. While Haley ended up rowing for UConn, she maintained her love of swimming by lifeguarding on the Jersey Shore for 12 summers and competing in lifeguard tournaments with swimming, paddling, and rowing. Haley spent four seasons as the assistant coach for the girls Hall High School swim team.
Today, Haley lives in West Hartford with her fiancé and is a high school teacher.
Originally from Chelmsford, MA, Emma began swimming at her local summer swim club at the age of 6 and quickly fell in love with the sport. She then went on to swim for both a USA team and the Chelmsford High School Team, where she was a 3-time Sectional and State Qualifier in the 100-yard-breaststroke.
Emma is excited to join the Sharks team and help each swimmer reach their potential. She is currently a School Psychology Intern at Conard High School, as well as the Assistant Girls’ Swim and Dive Coach at Plainville High School
This is Melissa's 6th season with the Sharks.
Melissa is the coach of our youngest swimmers. Additionally, she is the mother of 3 girls - all swimmers on our team. She grew up swimming recreationally, and recently got back into the pool, where she notoriously brags about her slow and steady mile.
Sophia is currently a sophmore studying excercise science at CCSU. She swims distance freestyle on the CCSU swim team and was part of the NEC Championship team in 2024.
Sophia started swimming at the age of 8. She previously swam for both the Sharks and the Conard Swim Team.
