Meet Our Coaches and Board Members
Sarah Bradley, Head Coach - Swim School, Pre-Comp, Bronze, Silver and Masters
Email: [email protected]
Coach Sarah grew up in Gresham, OR as a multi-sport athlete from age 8 (primary sports were swimming, water polo, and softball). She competed at the Jr. National level in water polo, traveling to competitions across the US, Canada, and Brazil. She then swam and played water polo for San Diego State University on a water polo scholarship, winning 3rd at Nationals in 1996 and 1997. Sarah started teaching swimming at age 16 and continued teaching and coaching in various capacities through college. In 2002 she became a certificated elementary school teacher, specializing in early elementary, Reading Specialist, and Special Education. In 2010, Sarah became a Swim Lesson Coordinator, running a large learn to swim and developmental swim team program for about 10 years. During this time, she became actively involved in American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) and United States Masters Swimming (USMS) certification programs and trainings/clinics. Currently, ASCA Level 5 educated and USMS coach level 3 certified. Member of the ASCA Mentor program 2021-2023 and serving as an ASCA Ambassador in the 23-24 cohort.
Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband, two dogs, and extended family and friends. Her son, who grew up as a competitive swimmer, is now an adult and serves in the US Navy.
Candi Eslinger, Assistant Coach - Gold
Coach Eslinger brings over 30 years of competitive swimming and coaching experience to the Ellensburg Area Swim Team. Growing up as a competitive swimmer, she swam through the ranks of age-group club swimming, high school swimming, and was a member of the CWU Swim Team from 1986-1988.
Eslinger earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in fashion design from Central Washington University in 1991 and returned to earn a teaching degree in health education and family and consumer sciences education.
Before being hired as the Gold group for EAST, Eslinger was head coach of the Ellensburg High School Girls Swim Team from 2017-2021 & 2004-2006, she was the Head Coach for EAST from 1991-1999, 2006-2012, & 2014-2017. From 1999-2003 Eslinger was the Head Women’s & Men’s Swimming Coach at CWU. Eslinger has coached swimmers at all levels from Regionals, Zones, Sectionals, Junior and Senior National competition, and Collegiate Nationals.
Laurie Holt, Assistant Coach
Josh Nelson-Ichido, Official Coordinator, Assistant Coach
Josh is now a Professor of Communication at CWU and the Officials Coordinator for EAST. He also started helping on deck as an assistant coach starting in late 2022 and has worked with swimmers from our Precomp groups all the way through our Gold group. Both Josh and his two children are swimmers for EAST as well; with Josh joining the Masters team in 2022.
Jenna Henscheid, Assistant Coach - Swim School
Coach Jenna grew up in Boise, Idaho swimming with the Boise YMCA Swim Team and Centennial High School. In her senior year of high school, she achieved top-three finishes at the Idaho State Swim Championship and the Idaho State Solo Competition on flute.
Jenna holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and Music Education, followed by a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on arts integration. With 14 years of teaching experience, Jenna instructs private flute lessons and serves as an elementary music teacher in the Ellensburg School District.
Her love of swimming has brought her back to the water to compete in open water events, triathlons, and most recently, in joining the Ellensburg Masters Swim Team and the coaching staff at EAST.
Kelly Pritchett, Board President, Substitute Coach
Jaymi Williams, Board Vice President, Assistant Coach
Alicia Burson, Treasurer
Alicia is the business manager and designer of Keigh Design – a local graphic design company founded by her mother. She is the current Treasurer for the board and thrives on streamlining the work processes to improve the bottom line. Alicia joined the EAST board in 2021 to support her two swimmers and a program she believes is important to children’s mental and physical learning and growth.
She is married with two beautiful step-children who joined the swim team in 2018.
Megan Dickinson, Safe Sport Coordinator
Joylyn Schneider, Fundraising Coordinator