Chuck Clark has been a cornerstone of the Rapids coaching staff since 1999 and has served as our Head Coach and Head Senior Coach since 2009. With over 25 years of coaching experience, Chuck has previously held Head Coach positions at the Stratford YMCA and Bunnell High School for both the Boys and Girls teams.

Under Chuck’s leadership, the Rapids have seen tremendous success. He has coached numerous athletes to USA Swimming “Top 16” rankings, with more than he can count achieving Sectional and Zone qualifications, as well as CT Swimming Top 16 honors. Over 30 of his swimmers have gone on to compete at the NCAA level. His coaching achievements include being named Senior Coach of the Year twice, coaching an Olympic Trials qualifier in 2021, and leading the team to a Bronze Medal Club status in 2022. Most recently, he guided the Rapids to a championship title in the 2024 Open Water competition.

Chuck grew up swimming with AquaJets in the summer, competed for Foran High School in Milford, and continued his swimming career at Radford University in Virginia.

Outside of the pool, Chuck is a Middle School Physical Education teacher and lives in Trumbull with his wife, Sharyn, and their three children—Lauren, Connor, and Alyssa—all of whom swim on the Rapids. When he’s not coaching, he enjoys spending quality time with his family.

Scott Tummins returned to the Rapids in 2021 as the Head Age Group Coach for the Juniors group, bringing decades of coaching experience and a deep passion for the sport. His coaching journey includes time at the Stratford YMCA from 1992 to 1999, leading the Foran High School Girls team from 2002 to 2009, and a previous stint with the Rapids from 2004 to 2009.

Scott finds the most rewarding part of coaching to be those moments when a swimmer surprises themselves with their own performance—watching their hard work translate into unexpected success.

His own swimming journey started at the Stratford YMCA from 1977 to 1986, followed by time at the Fairfield YMCA in 1987. He competed for St. Joseph High School from 1983 to 1987 before continuing his swimming career at Marist College from 1987 to 1991.

Now retired but far from inactive, Scott lives in Milford with his wife, Cyndy, and their two boys, Shane and Trent. Their household also includes their three dogs—Maggie, Kevin, and Bobby. When he's not on the pool deck, Scott spends as much time as he can on the golf course, enjoying both playing and practicing.

Second only to Head Coach Chuck in tenure, Emily DeMace has been a dedicated part of the Rapids coaching staff since 2016, working with both the Junior and Senior programs. Previously, she served as the Lead Sophomore Group Coach and was an Assistant Coach for the Masuk Boys Team during the 2016-2017 season. In 2017, she was also selected to the Eastern Zone Short Course staff.

Under Emily’s guidance, many of her athletes have achieved competitive success, with over 20 swimmers qualifying for Age Group Championships, Senior Championships, and Zone Teams throughout the years.

Emily grew up in Monroe and swam for the Monroe Gators until their merger with the Shelton Seals. She continued swimming with the Rapids through high school before competing at the NCAA Division II level for Adelphi University, where she earned a BS in Business Administration in 2016.

Now based in New Haven, Emily balances coaching with running her own house-sitting and dog-sitting business. She shares her home with her boyfriend, Matt, and their dog, Raider. When she’s not on the pool deck, you’ll likely find her traveling or spending time with her four-legged clients.

Kyle Barber has been coaching with the Rapids since 2018, working with the Senior group. A longtime member of the Rapids himself, Kyle swam with the team for 11 years and also competed for Shelton High School. He went on to swim at Mount Saint Mary College, where he was named team captain and set school records in the 200 fly, as well as the Skyline Conference record in the 1000 free.

Beyond coaching, Kyle works as an IT Helpdesk Analyst.

Kyle lives in Shelton and enjoys reading, playing board games and video games, and spending time with friends when he’s not on deck with the Rapids.

Jenna Manion has dedicated over two decades to coaching, beginning at the very same YMCA team where she swam as a child. After 14 years as an athlete, she transitioned to coaching and spent the next 20 years developing swimmers at the YMCA level. She is now an integral part of the Rapids coaching staff and also serves as the Head Coach of the Masuk Boys Swim and Dive team, as well as the Assistant Coach for the Masuk Girls Swim and Dive team.

Jenna swam collegiately at Eastern Connecticut State University and brings a wealth of experience to her athletes. In addition to coaching, she is a certified licensed massage therapist and has even volunteered as a firefighter with the Monroe Fire Department. She considers herself a jack of all trades and is grateful to be part of a coaching staff that fosters a positive and supportive environment.

When she’s not on the pool deck, Jenna works as a manager by day and is a proud mom to her daughter, Rhiley Ember, and her 5lb ball of fur, Sissy. She loves being a part of the Rapids family and cherishes the opportunity to coach such an amazing group of swimmers.

Amaya Davis joined the Rapids coaching staff in 2023, working with the Novice and Junior groups. One of her favorite parts of coaching is seeing young swimmers succeed in something they’ve been working hard to achieve—it’s what keeps her passionate about the sport.

Amaya swam competitively for nine years, specializing in backstroke. She was a member of both BSY and ARAC before finishing her swimming career after high school.

Currently, Amaya is a junior at Southern Connecticut State University, majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health and a minor in Sociology. In addition to coaching, she provides travel swim instruction over the summer and babysits.

Originally from Stratford, Amaya enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, shopping, or simply relaxing at home when she’s not on the pool deck.

Monica Hagn joined the Rapids coaching staff in 2024, working with the Novice and Junior groups, including the Milford groups. Her coaching journey began in 2014 when she first started coaching for her summer swim team, and she has been passionate about developing young swimmers ever since.

A competitive swimmer since the age of six, Monica has raced at high levels, including Junior Olympics, Zones, and Sectionals. Before an injury altered her path, she was training for the Olympic Trials. Her experience as an athlete gives her a deep understanding of the sport, which she brings to her coaching.

Outside of swimming, Monica works as a toddler teacher. She lives in Orange with her mom and sister, along with their dog and cat. In her free time, she loves traveling, reading, playing on her Switch, going to the beach, and anything Disney-related.

Mia Mendribil joined the Rapids coaching staff in 2024 as an Assistant Coach for all Milford groups. While this is her first year coaching with the Rapids, she brings valuable experience from her time teaching beginner to competitive swimming at Sweet Blue Swim Academy, where she worked for two years.

Mia swam competitively with Zeus in Norwalk from ages 5 to 16 and qualified for State Trials in the 500 free during her sophomore year of high school. Her firsthand experience as an athlete helps her connect with and guide swimmers at all levels.

Outside of coaching, Mia works remotely as an administrative assistant for three financial advisors. She lives in Norwalk with her dad, Michael, who was a USA Swimming official throughout her years as a swimmer.

Beyond the pool, Mia has a deep love for the arts. She sings, plays piano, and even spent a year in a rock band. A lifelong theatre kid, she’s been performing in musicals since the age of three. She also enjoys writing, reading, and watching TV shows and movies in her free time.

Sarah Hensley joined the Rapids coaching staff in 2024, working with the Novice and Junior groups. Before stepping into coaching, she spent two years as a swim instructor, helping swimmers of all levels develop their skills in the water.

Sarah swam competitively from ages 7 to 15, gaining firsthand experience in the sport that she now brings to her coaching. In addition to working with the Rapids, she is a lifeguard, a swim instructor, and a college student, balancing her love for swimming with her studies.

Originally from Seymour, Sarah lives with her mother, Maritza, her father, Kimo, and their dog, Piggy. When she’s not on deck, she enjoys shopping, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and bedazzling anything she can get her hands on.