New England Swimming

Coaches

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Caroline Melly
Co-Head Coach

Caroline grew up in Newton and was a swimmer on Blue Waves from 2005-2014.  She has been teaching lessons or coaching swim team at the YMCA since 2012.  Caroline studied Public Health at the University of Pennsylvania and her love of swimming followed her to college.  Throughout college she lifeguarded and taught swimming lessons to youth in West Philadelphia.  

 
Caroline moved back to the Boston area in 2020 and immediately wanted to become involved with the Y again since it had such a positive impact on her growing up.  She is very excited to be back coaching and strives to create a fun and growth oriented environment for everyone on the team. Outside the pool Caroline loves spending time with family, biking and playing ultimate frisbee. 
 
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Alexa Serafine
Co-Head Coach
 
Alexa started at the WSYMCA in 2015 as the Aquatics Coordinator after graduating from Springfield College also in 2015.  In 2016 she started as a Blue Waves swim coach while she was still the Aquatics Coordinator. In 2018 Alexa left the WSYMCA as full time and continued her aquatic career elsewhere, but still stayed on as a Blue Waves coach. Alexa has always loved the water and was a competitive swimmer herself, she now enjoys swimming for fun ( or as a workout) and helping/teaching others how to swim! 
 
When Alexa is not on a pool deck (or in a pool),  you will either find her at the beach or with her nose in a book!
 
Kelsey Best
Coach

Kelsey grew up swimming competitively along with her three sisters. She first started swimming at age 6 and continued into high school with her favorite event being the 100 butterfly. As a freshman in high school, Kelsey started working at the YMCA teaching swim lessons, and eventually started lifeguarding and working with the swim team.

 

Kelsey works at the YMCA both as a lifeguard and swim coach. She believes in building a strong foundation at a young age in order to push athletes to be their best selves.

 

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Katie Ullery

Coach

 

Katie is from Minnesota and moved to Boston and joined the Blue Waves in the Fall of 2022. She has been swimming since she could walk. In high school she taught swim lessons and swam on the varsity team, primarily competing in the in 200IM and 100 butterfly. In college, Katie shifted her love of swimming into the sport of Water Polo. She played on University of Wisconsin - Madison’s water polo team for 4 years competing in the Mid-West against other Big 10 schools. After graduating, she started coaching the YMCA swim team in Edina, MN. 

 
Katie just completed her MBA and currently works at Brigham and Women’s Hospital as a Consultant. Outside of work, Katie enjoys traveling, being outside, baking and spending time with friends and family. 
 

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Anne Bowers

Coach

 

Anne grew up in North Carolina and joined the Blue Waves Fall of 2022. She has been swimming since she was 6 on a summer league team and continued through college at The College of Wooster in Ohio. Her primary events were the 100 and 200 butterfly, 100 backstroke, and 50 freestyle. 

 

In 2021, Anne graduated with a degree in Psychology and Elementary Education and currently works as an elementary school teacher. She also works as a lifeguard at the West Suburban YMCA. Outside of work, she enjoys trying new recipes and exploring the amazing food options that Boston has to offer!