Coaches and Directors
HI, I am Shawn Kornoelje. I am starting my 38th year of being on deck and coaching, which has included working with all levels of swimmers from Novice to International. I was a member of the U.S. Paralympic coaching staff from 1998-2004. Assisting in the training and preparation for teams going into the 2000 Sydney Games, the 2002 World Championships in Argentina and the 2004 Athens Games, where I served as the Head Coach of the US National Men’s Paralympic Swim Team.
While serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the University of Michigan's Women's swim team, we finished as the NCAA championship runners-up in 1995. The first Women’s Team EVER other than Texas, Stanford, Florida to have that high of a NCAA finish!!
During my 11-year tenure at Oakland University as Associate Head Coach, I had the privilege to recruit and coach some outstanding student-athletes. I work very hard to bring all the learning and growth of that experience to the swimmers I coach. Breaking down what I believe is necessary for success, both in and out of the water!!
I grew up in Zeeland, Michigan, and a 1991 graduate of Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree from Wayne State in 2006. I live in Clinton Township with my wife, Cheryl Angelelli, a 3x Paralympic Swimmer, former Macomb Y Marlin, and Regina swimmer. She is also a Champion Wheelchair Ballroom Dancer. In swimming she has won 2 Bronze in 2004 Athens, and 2 Silver in 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. We have three ‘furry’ children, Mylo, a Cavapoo (Capt Terror Pants) and Charlie, a Shiatzu that likes barking at anything that moves outside, and our new 'baby' Finn, a very fluffy Maltapoo.
It is an honor and privilege to be your Liquid Lightning Head Coach!!
Coach Bill began his competitive swimming career at age 13 with the Sterling Silver Dolphins Swim Club, under coaches Dennis Schrieber and Ron Richards. He was five-time Macomb County Champion, two-time league champion and earned many state, zone and national qualifying times. As a senior, Bill became the recipient of the 1992 Firlick award. (Awarded by the Macomb County Swim Coaches Association to the outstanding swimmer of the year.)
At Oakland University, coached by Peter Hovland and Chuck McClune, Bill enjoyed immediate success as the GLIAC runner-up in the 200 Breaststroke, helping Oakland to its 15th and 16th consecutive conference titles. Leaving Oakland to pursue a degree in film studies at Wayne State University, Bill began his coaching career with the Sterling Silver Dolphins.
While continuing to coach age group, he swam at Wayne State, under coaches Matt Dieghan and Dana Abbasse. There he set team records in the 200 Backstroke and 400 Individual Medley. Bill earned a GLIAC title in the 200 Backstroke helping Wayne State to its first winning season in over a decade. After graduation, Bill spent a year coaching Wayne State with new head coach Sean Peters. As an assistant coach in charge of the distance swimmers, Wayne State took five of the top seven places in the 1650 Freestyle at the GLIAC Championships.
Taking a brief break from swimming, Bill pursued a career in advertising as a Commercial Editor and Digital Compositor. Today Bill continues his video/film work along with coaching on Liquid Lightning and Lake Orion High School Boys Swimming and Diving Teams. He lives in Lake Orion with his wife Michelle and sons Brady and Lucas. He has the pleasure of coaching and cheering for Brady and Lucas when they swim for Liquid Lightning and Lake Orion swim teams.
“I’ve always been blessed with great coaches. I try to learn from everyone I meet. Helping young athletes achieve their goals is the most rewarding experience one can have.”
Thx!
Coach Bill
I have been active and around the swimming community since a young age. Growing up in Livonia, Michigan and swimming in summer clubs in the area. While attending Livonia Stevenson I was the Captain of the team my senior year. Concurrently while in High School I was a lifeguard and swim coach at Burton Hollow Swim Club (from my sophomore year of high school through my college graduation).
Currently I live in Oakland Township with my family. My wife and I have 4 childrens (Sadie 12, Sawyer 10, Tegan 7, Violet 6). Professionally, I am the Corporate Wellbeing, Health and Safety Director in North America for Stellantis. My professional focus is around safety in the workplace and risk identification.
After a hiatus of swimming my eldest daughter joined the Romeo Dolphins in 2021. At that time I became an assistant coach and focused on ensuring a team atmosphere and building an air of goal setting. I enjoy seeing swimmers discover what they are capable of and fall in love with a sport that has taught me many life lessons
Savanna has been a competitive swimmer for just over a decade, starting at 11 years old in
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for Greater Ottawa Kingfish Swim Club. During her high school career, Savanna qualified and swam at Canadian Provincials, Eastern and Olympic Trials. In her collegiate swimming career, she swam for Eastern Michigan University before transferring to Wayne State University for her fifth year, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus on Photography and Digital Media.
Savanna has three cats with her husband Noah.
Besides swimming, Savanna loves baseball, football and hockey!
- Won the B-Final in the 500-yard freestyle at the MAC Championships in a time of 4:49.64 – the eighth fastest time in school history.
- Finished third in the 1650-yard freestyle at the MAC Championship in a time of 16:35.44 – the fifth fastest time in school history Won the B-Final in the 500-yard freestyle at the MAC Championships in a time of 4:49.64 – the eighth fastest time in school history.
- Two-time Canadian Olympic Trials Qualifier (50-metre and 1500-metre freestyle).
- Five-time Canadian Senior Championship Qualifier.
- Five-time Canadian Junior Championship Qualifier.
2023-2024 - Graduate – Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Photography
2019-2023 - Student – Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Photography Program
2015-2019 - Graduate – All Saints Catholic High School, Kanata, ON Canada
Ontario High School Diploma
