Head Coach-Brian Vigna
Coach Brian has over 17 years of experience as a competitive swim coach with expertise ranging from Beginner to National Level and College swimmers. Brian brings a lifetime of experience in competitive sports to his work with the RAYS and is an expert in advanced skill teaching and coaching techniques for all age swimmers. Over the years, his swimmers have achieved high-level accomplishments in every stroke with a strong array of USA & YMCA State, Zone, and National Championships attained - including a wealth of State, Zone, and National Level Meet Qualifiers.
Brian has also coached Adult Triathlete Swim Training Groups and is a Certified USA and YMCA swim coach, Lifeguard Certified, CPR Certified, and Coaches Safety Certified
Age Group Coach- Mike Holter
Coach Mike has been on deck with the RAYS for four years and has an extensive list of coaching and swimming experiences. Mike swam for the YMCA from ages 8 to 18 at the Gamble Nippert and M.E. Lyons YMCAs in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a swimmer, he was the YMCA 200 IM Long Course Champion (1996) and a three-time Ohio High School State Champion team member at St. Xavier High School. Mike swam at Kenyon College from 1996 to 2000 and was a four-time NCAA Division III National Champion team member. Mike has coached little league and middle school baseball for the last waiver years and was also the Orchard View Swim Club Head Coach. Mike has three boys, two of whom are currently members of the RAYS team!
Mike is a Certified USA and YMCA swim coach, Lifeguard Certified, CPR Certified, Coaches Safety Certified
Age Group Coach- Rachael Holt
Coach Rachael has been with the Rays since 2020. She grew up in Lansing, where she started swimming at age 9. She was a Michigan high school Division 1 state champion and All-American in the 50 freestyle, as well as a junior and senior national qualifier. She then went on to swim at MSU, where she was a finalist at the Big Ten Championships and earned MVP and team leadership awards. After she graduated, she spent the next 13 years as the head varsity swim coach at Grandville High School, coaching both the boys' and the girls' teams. She developed several All-State swimmers who continued their swim careers in college.
Her favorite things about coaching are helping swimmers develop strong stroke technique, teaching athletes about successful goal setting, and creating a positive team environment where kids can have fun, feel safe, and achieve their personal goals.
She is a certified YMCA and USA swim coach.
Age Group Coach- Alyssia Crook
Coach Alyssia Crook,
I’ve been with the Rays since Sep 8th, 2021. I started swimming very late in my swimming career; I was 13 years old. I found the Paralympics and swam with Team USA for 12 years.. But I was chasing something else. In 2017, I got accepted to swim in Sheffield, England, twice for the World Series. That was my first international meet, and many more after that. I was invited to train and live in Colorado Springs at the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center from 2017 to 2021. In 2019, I got selected to compete in the Lima, Peru Pan American Games. I was a bronze for my 400 Free. I got far enough as an alternate for the Tokyo games in the 400 free. I am very proud of my swimming career. I knew I didn’t want to stop there, and I knew it was time to become a coach!
I hope whoever steps on the pool deck has a purpose and loves swimming. I have enough knowledge and wisdom to give to anyone. I want to become the coach that I never had. I have the heart and drive in this swimming life and have a lot of respect. I’ve been through a lot of changes in my life, but they have made me who I am today.
Certified Lifeguard, YMCA, and USA Swim Coach.
Age Group Coach - Kate Deipholz
Kate has been coaching competitive swimming since 2000, from the beginning to national level as well as masters. Starting on the east side of the state, she coached with BBA swimming and Cranbrook Swim Club before moving to GR in 2006. She’s been with the RAYS program since 2006 and has also been heading up the Watermark summer swim program since 2007. She spent 6 years coaching the FHC girls' high school as well. She loves coaching and teaching kids how to not only develop a love for the sport but also to be good citizens in this world. She has been married to Ingo for 36 years, has two kids, and loves anything outdoors. She spends lots of time on the Pickleball court, hiking, and volunteering as a mentor and at Kids Food Basket.
Age Group Coach - Dom Ferracciolo
Hey everyone! This is my first year coaching here with the RAYS. Previously, I have coached the Newburgh Sharks (Sharks4life!) over on the east side of the state for three years. I was also president of the Grand Valley Swim Club for the 2023-2024 season, as well as the team's dryland coordinator for the 2022-2023 season. I was a national qualifier for the three years I was with Grand Valley's club. I started swimming when I was 11 and have not stopped since then. I am excited for a fun season with all of our great swimmers!
2021-2022 Team Sponsors
THANK YOU TO OUR TEAM SPONSORS
