Coach Sam is happy to be on deck sharing her love of swimming with the next generation of
athletes. Sam was born and raised in Clinton and spent most of her childhood on a pool deck. She
started swimming competitively at the age of 8. Through the years she swam club for KQAA which later
became RCA and then went on to swim for Clinton High School.

Coach Sam has a passion for teaching technique and water safety. The last several years she has been a lifeguard, water safety instructor and/or coach whenever her schedule allowed.

During the day, Sam is the HR Coordinator at Skyline Center in Clinton. When she is not coaching or working, you can find her lap swimming, volunteering with Special Olympics, reading, or cooking. 

Sam enjoys working with swimmers of all ages and abilities to improve technique and become a well-
rounded athlete. She is a big believer that coaching is more than teaching a sport, but also teaching
what it means to be a good person, teammate, and friend.

Karla Wunderlin has been coaching with GRAC since the team organized in 2023.  She has 17 years of coaching experience in other youth sports, including baseball, softball, and soccer, as well as teaching swim lessons.  Originally from Wisconsin, Karla has been an elementary school counselor in Clinton since 1997.  

Karla believes that learning of all kinds should be enjoyable, first and foremost.  She believes that working hard is the best way to achieve results, and works to instill a sense of community with her swimmers.  She’s enthused to help swimmers develop their skills and help them realize they can do whatever they set their mind to.  Her favorite moments are witnessing the look of pride within, when a swimmer realizes they have accomplished something new for the first time!

Karla has three adult children, three cats, and a Golden Retriever.  In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors by boating, swimming, doing yard work and spending time with family.  She is excited to work with area youth and share her enthusiasm for the water.