Alicia’s passion for swimming was ignited after watching the 1988 Olympics on TV.  Her mom, Coach Kim, then told her that she was a swimmer in her youth and competed in the Olympic Trials.  Alicia immediately started in lessons, and then soon joined a year-round team in Southern California.  Alicia swam on the Mission Viejo Nadadores for 8 years and Irvine Novaquatics for 3 years.  She competed in her first Speedo Junior National Championships at 13 years old in the 200 Fly, 400 IM and 500 Free.  At 15, she qualified for her first Phillips 66 National Championship in the 800 Free and soon added the 200 Fly and 400 IM.

Alicia graduated as Valedictorian from her high school and received an academic scholarship to the University of Southern California in Los Angeles where she also competed in their division 1 swim program. Unfortunately, a shoulder surgery at the end of her freshman year ended her swimming career.  Alicia went on to graduate from USC with a B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, a minor in Business Administration, and a Master’s Degree in Public Health.  To further her education, she pursued a nutrition degree and became a Registered Dietitian.  She worked for the university as a research assistant, but really enjoyed the teaching aspect and wanted to become a professor.  Alicia then returned to USC’s Doctorate program in Preventive Medicine focusing on health behavior research and obesity prevention in youth. She was 3 years into a 5-year PhD program when her grandmother fell ill, compelling her to leave the program and help aid in her care.

Alicia then started teaching in a learn-to-swim school while coaching a summer league program at Evolution Swim Academy.  In an unexpected way, coaching combined all her educational experiences in teaching and promoting a healthy lifestyle with her lifelong passion for swimming.  Alicia was quickly promoted to Head Age Group Coach at Evolution Racing Club, where she also served as team administrator and manager alongside the club owners.  Her swimmers and team won multiple Junior Olympic Championships and Age-Groups Championship meets in California.  Two of her swimmers achieved National Age Group rankings in 100 backstroke and 50 freestyle, and several of her swimmers set Southern California swimming LSC records. She received a SoCal Age Group Coach of the Year nomination, and continued to develop an age group program that broke records year after year.  She was instrumental in the technical development and training of dozens of swimmers who went on to achieve Junior National, Futures, and Sectionals time standards.

Alicia and her husband, Jorge, moved to North Idaho and soon after, their son, Axl, was born.  She is excited to share her passion for swimming with this community and can’t wait to lead CAST into the future!

Aiya began her competitive swimming career at ten years old, when she joined a city team in her hometown in Oregon. Having always loved the water, she quickly fell in love with the highly technical and competitive side of the sport as well. She swam for various teams in both Oregon and Washington, though her fondest memories and greatest accomplishments were set in her high school swimming seasons. She was proud to be named a team captain on several occasions and to set a school record in the 500 freestyle. She also discovered a passion for teaching both water safety and swimming while working as a swim lesson instructor at her local aquatic center. After graduating, she continued on to coach for her previous Oregon school as they began competing in the state of Washington. She coached the girls’ swim team as well as the boys’ team and the dive team, eventually leading her out-of-state girls’ team to qualify for and compete in the Washington state championship meet for the first time in history.

Aiya moved to Coeur d’Alene in 2021 and excitedly continued to teach foundational swim lessons to kids and athletes of all levels. She found and pursued endless opportunities through a local facility, enabling her to coach private sessions for local club swimmers, triathletes, and athletes of all backgrounds from different states and countries. She began coaching for C.A.S.T. at the beginning of their 2022 short-course season, and has enjoyed absolutely every second of the ride since. She has loved getting to know the swimmers, helping them grow as athletes and being a part of such an encouraging and goal-oriented team! Outside of coaching, Aiya currently works as a nanny as well as an instructor for CPR, First Aid and Lifeguarding certification courses.

Jorge grew up in Venezuela where soccer became his passion at a very young age.  He played on several national junior teams throughout high school and was sent to Florence, Italy to play as well.  He was recruited for the country’s National Team to play in games all over South America.  He was on his way to play in the Copa America when he broke his knee, unexpectedly ending his soccer career.  Jorge then pursued an undergraduate degree in marketing and a master’s degree in graphic design, and in his free time he coached youth soccer.

Once Jorge moved to the United States, he began working for Evolution Swim Academy as a senior visual and web designer.  He was responsible for all marketing materials, apparel design and creation, as well as web and social media presence for Evolution’s various youth programs.  He helped create, develop, and expand its summer sports camp that provided technique and skills training in multiple sports and was attended by 500+ kids each summer.  Jorge also taught in-water learn-to-swim lessons and was fundamental in developing an intro to competitive swim team program for Evolution.  This class focused on transitioning kids who graduated from lessons but were not quite ready for the year-round swim team.  Jorge also coached on the competitive swim team, Evolution Racing Club, alongside his wife, Coach Alicia, and mother-in-law, Coach Kim.  Jorge continues to pursue his athletic interests in muy thai, kickboxing, crossfit, and competing in Spartan Races.

Chelsey started swimming on a summer recreation team when she was 5 years old.  That's when she realized her love for swimming! She would go to morning practice, come back for open swim 1-5:00pm and then come back again for night swim 7-8:30pm. She lived at the pool all summer long! 

Chelsey grew up in Dayton, Washington, which was a 45 minute drive each way to the closest indoor pool. At age 12 her parents decided to make the travel commitment each day and joined the Walla Walla club team. Swimming was never "easy" for her and was something she had to work very hard at.  All of the driving and daily doubles was worth it when she found out she had earned a swim scholarship to the University of Idaho. She was the first athlete from her school to receive a Division I sports scholarship. 

During college Chelsey had several coaching internships with the club swim teams and loved it! Coaching and working with youth in any sport is something that is fun and comes very easy to her. After she graduated from college with a degree in Recreation and a minor in Outdoor Recreation & Health, she began to teach swim lessons and fitness classes.  During this time, she also pursued her other hobbies such as coaching various youth sports and running half marathons! A couple years after college, she landed her first full time job as a Recreation Coordinator. Chelsey ran programs such as summer camps, sports camps, sports leagues, and other various recreational activities. 

While Chelsey’s experience as a club swim coach is new, her passion for fitness, health and youth sports/ recreation runs long and deep. She has been working in the fitness, recreation and aquatic industry for over 12 years and absolutely love every aspect of it. She believes in health and wellness; and that means not only physical health but social and emotional health as well. Chelsey’s background demonstrates how she is a perfect fit to become a positive influence for the CAST swimmers!