Coaches and Directors
Prior to Kristen’s time in Oklahoma she spent two years as the Head Coach and Aquatics Director at LIU Post in NY. She was elevated to that position after serving as assistant coach for two years. Prior to joining the coaching staff at LIU Post, Kristen served as an assistant coach at St. Joseph’s College for the 2015-2016 season.
Jared comes to us from Riptide Aquatics based out of Lakeland Florida. During his 5 years there he coached the senior group to getting their first two ever Futures qualifiers, and his final year saw a first time Flags Champion in the 100 yard breaststroke. He also coached the Lakeland High School team to one County Championships and one District Championship continuing a 6 year winning streak for the girls team. Before coaching, Jared swam collegiately at Florida State University where he was part of two All-American relay teams his senior year, both breaking school records that year and one placing in the top 4 at NCAAs and winning an ACC title. The 400 medley relay school record he was a part of stood for 10 years. Jared not only succeeded on the collegiate level but also represented his home country of South Africa on the international stage. Competing in events such as the Pan Pacific Championships out on the Gold Coast of Australia and the World cup Circuit that made stops through Europe, gave him valuable experience and knowledge as he was transitioning from professional swimming to coaching. During this time he was also crowned South African National Short course champion in the 50m and 100m breaststroke twice in consecutive years. After retiring from competitive swimming in 2021 following a narrow miss in making the South African Team to compete in Tokyo in the 100m breaststroke, Jared has taken a special liking to runDisney Events and has completed multiple events including a handful of half marathons and marathons and challenge weekends and loves spending free weekends out of the golf course. Jared lives happily with his wife Kierstin and has loved getting to know his new family at Southwest Aquatics
Coach J.T. has been with the South West Aquatics family since 2012. He has worked his way up from a stroke instructor to team coach. His experience from stroke lessons has easily transitioned into coaching swim team due to his solid foundations in stroke technique and stroke progressions. JT has coached multiple swimmers to the Florida Age Group Championships(FLAGs). His swimmers have won FLAG Championships and set FLAG and Florida records. He has also worked with the PEAK performance camps and has worked with countless athletes of all ability levels.
Coach Mike has been coaching since 2001, and has been working with swimmers since 1998. He has coached multiple swimmers from different ages to the Florida age Group Championships(FLAGS) and to the Florida Senior Championships. He has also coached a swimmer who won multiple events at FLAGS. Coach Mike loves developing swimmers and ensuring their progress. He promotes and teaches commitment to his athletes which are important life skills.
Mike grew up in the Dr. Phillips/Winter Garden Area and swam for Coach Bruce Follensbee at Dr. Phillips High School. He has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. He is a certified private pilot and a Coast Guard certified boat captain. He enjoys fishing and water skiing in his spare time.
Jessica Laid comes to SouthWest Aquatics from Swim RVA in Richmond, VA where she was most recently the Senior Advancement Coach after spending 2.5 years as the Head Developmental Coach. Jessica is an ASCA Level 3 Coach and was chosen as an Eastern Zones Coach for Virginia Swimming in 2016 and 2017.
Prior to joining Swim RVA, Jessica spent twelve successful years coaching 12 & unders at various clubs such as Poseidon and Kayak in Virginia.
Jessica currently lives in Titusville with her two dogs, Kiwi and Mango
