Coaching Staff
Executive Director/Senior Elite, Senior, Masters, Red & White Coach
Dennis G Baker
Dennis was born and raised in Portland Oregon and started competitive swimming at the age of 5. He swam for David Douglas Swim Club through high school, earning many State Championships and All-American honors. While swimming for the University of Arizona, Coach Baker was the Pac-10 champion twice in the 200 Butterfly.
After being a two-time finalist and three-time participant at the Olympic Trials in 1980, 1984, and 1988, as well as the Oregon Male Swimmer of the Year in 1979, Coach Baker finished his "first life" in swimming.
His "second life" has landed him here at Mt. Hood Aquatics. He began swimming again in 2000 and was awarded the Oregon Male Swimmer of the Year for the second time in 2002 at the age of 43. He is one of the oldest swimmers ever to qualify for the USA Swimming Nationals and narrowly missed becoming the oldest Olympic Trials Qualifier in 2008 by the slimmest of margins.
In 2000, Coach Baker began coaching younger swimmers and is the Head Coach of the Oregon Reign Masters, a masters swim team training at Mt. Hood Aquatic Center. Dennis loves to help younger and older swimmers find their "inner athlete”. Dennis coaches the Senior 2 and 3, Red and White squads at the MHAC location. He is our Executive Director of the team and oversees all operations of the club.
Gold & Silver Coach
Lara Stone
Coach Lara is leading our Gold and Silver programs. She is an accomplished runner and professional triathlete, as well as a certified strength and conditioning coach. She has swam for Coach Dennis numerous times over the years. Lara was a member of the United States Air Force and is a former Nike Masters Certified swim coach. Coach Lara is a former coach of the Hood River swim team. Her wealth of knowledge in so many areas is an incredible asset to MHA!
Red & White - Reynolds
Kerry Riddle
Red & White Coach - Barlow
I have been a part of the swimming world for as long as I can remember! I grew up swimming for Mt. Hood Aquatics, swimming all through high school.
My first job was lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons. During that time, I got involved with Mt. Hood Aquatics helping run swim meets and teaching lessons for the team.
I took a break from the pool for a few years, but when the opportunity came for me to come back and run the Reynolds pool I jumped in. My passion has always been working with kids and helping them grow and learn. Add in swimming and it’s the best of both worlds!
I have been the Red and White Squad coach at Barlow for almost 2 years and I couldn’t be happier. Watching my swimmers grow and become more confident in themselves and their swimming ability is the highlight of my day. My favorite part of coaching is coaching at swim meets and seeing my swimmer's hard work at practice pay off!
Outside of the pool I enjoy spending time with my friends, going to the gym, traveling to Hawaii, and drinking lots of coffee.
Red & White Coach - Gresham
Felipe started swimming at a very young age. He is a former MHA swimmer and has extensive training teaching younger kids how to swim. His passion for the sport is undeniable. We are so happy to have him back as a coach!
