Coach Jason Tillage (Platinum and Head Coach) [email protected]

Coach Tillage brings an impressive 30-year legacy of coaching experience to his role as Head Swim Coach. His journey began as a diving coach at Warren Central High School (WCHS), where he laid the foundation for his coaching career. In 2005, Jason took a hiatus from coaching to serve his country as a Flight Engineer and Recruiter for the US Navy, dedicating 11 years to this vital role.

Coach Tillage's academic background is equally commendable, holding degrees from the

University of Indianapolis (UINDY) and the University of Cincinnati. After his military service, he returned to the pool deck with a renewed passion for coaching.

Coach Tillage's coaching career includes significant roles such as Assistant Head Coach and Diving Coach at Warren Central High School & New Palestine High School, Head Coach of New Palestine Aquatics Club, and Head Coach of Men's & Women's Swimming and Diving at New Palestine High School. His expertise also extended to the FAST Falcons in Ocala, FL, where he served as Assistant Head Coach.

Coach Tillage has come full circle, returning to his alma mater, Warren Central High School, as the Head Coach of Warren Aquatics Club, as well as the Head Coach of Men's & Women's Swimming and Diving, His dedication to fostering a positive and holistic approach to coaching is evident in his motto, "positive attitude creates excellence," which continues to inspire and guide his athletes towards achieving their full potential.

 Coach Raina Buckalew (Head Age Group Coach / Gold & Silver Coach) [email protected]

I come from a family of swimmers, following in the footsteps of my Aunt, Uncle, and Dad. I started swimming competitively at age 10 with a club team in Kokomo, IN, alongside my brothers. I kept swimming through high school and eventually began coaching at the same club that shaped me.

In 2002, after meeting my husband, we moved to Indianapolis, where I worked as an LPN at Wishard Hospital. During that time, I swam Masters until I became a mom in 2011. In 2020, I earned my teaching license and began teaching Biology, Anatomy, and Sports Exercise & Health Science at Shortridge IB High School.

But my favorite role? Being a mom to Adia, Zola, and Nyles and a wife to my husband, Ryan. Our family also includes two dogs, Treme and Ziggy, a cat named Rarity, and a turtle named Louis. I love cheering Adia on in volleyball while Zola and Nyles continue the family swimming tradition as third-generation swimmers. When I’m home, you’ll find me in the garden or listening to an eclectic range of music.

  Coach Maria Hernandez (Bronze and Bridge to Bronze Coach) [email protected]

I have been involved in swimming for over a decade. My mom and dad had originally introduced me to the pool through swim lessons at Warren Central High School back in 2009 when I was 7 years old. Once completing lessons, I joined the club, which had been called Power Aquatics at the time.

After that, I went to the swimming club until I graduated high school in 2021. I also swam for the Warren Middle School team from fifth through eighth grade, and swimming all four years on the high school team as well (my favorite events were long distance ones like the mile and the 500 free)!

During all of high school, I taught swim lessons for Warren Aquatics Swim Lessons and begun lifeguarding at Warren in 2020 after getting my lifeguarding license in 2019. I continued to teach swim lessons and lifeguard while getting my exercise science degree in college!

Competitive swimming has been a huge part of my identity for a long time now and has greatly impacted me as a person. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to step into the role of coach at WAC!

 Coach Katie Hicks (Volunteer Coach) [email protected]

Kathryn Hicks, Warren Central c/o ’99, and Warren Central Girls Swimming Team Captain in 1996, decorated as WCHS Girls. Swimming Best Freshman ‘95, and MVP ‘96 during her time at Warren, comes on board as a part-time Warren Central Girls

Coach Katy comes to us, with over 25 years of consistent competitive swimming, spanning across Age-Groups (USA Swimming), High School (ISHAA), College (NCAA DII), and Masters (USMS); as well as competing in Triathlons, Half Marathons, and Local CrossFit competitions after College.

Kathryn graduated from UINDY in 2003, acquired an MS, Sports Management from United States Sports Academy ’13, an MBA from the University of Southern Indiana ’23. When not on the pool deck, she works in the technology industry for a small startup, as a Global Commercial Deal Manager supporting software contract negotiations from within Commercial Finance.

Coaching/Swimming Experience:

USMS Masters Swimmer

Masters Nationals Qualifier 50/100/200 Fly, 100/200 Breast, 200 IM/400 IM, Special Olympics Volunteer Swim Coach, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Legal Assistant to the NCAA General Counsel Scott Bearby, USA Swimming Age-Group Coach with Power Aquatics and Franklin Regional Swim Team, Division II Varsity Swimmer, 100/200 Fly & 100/200 Breast University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana

1990-1999 Dedicated USA Swimming Age-Group Athlete

Individual Divisional Qualifier (Age-Group), Divisional Qualifier at Age 28 in the 50 SCM Free Open, 400 SCM Free, 400 SCM IM, Canadian Peace Games/White River State Games – 200 IM / 50 Fly Age-Group, Age Group State/Senior State (Relay Swimmer)