COACHES
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| Matthew Crum Head Coach
Matthew Crum has over 20 years of competitive swimming experience. He started racing at the age of 5 at Peninsula Pool and continued with the Portland Parks Swim Team (now PAC). In high school, he swam for the Multnomah Athletic Club swim team and completed his competitive career at Wheaton College. After college, Matt coached the South Salem Saxons for two years and the Oregon City High School team for three years. Since 2007, he has been coaching the Oregon City Swim Team. Matt's coaching philosophy centers on helping each swimmer achieve their personal best, employing a challenging yet compassionate approach that fosters confidence and growth in athletes. |
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| Ben Talbott Assistant Coach
Ben Talbott boasts over 20 years of competitive swimming experience, both as an athlete and a coach. He began his swimming journey with the David Douglas Swim Club (now Mt. Hood Aquatics) at age 13, quickly progressing to the senior squad. Ben's coaching career started right after high school, and he has spent the last 15 years coaching at various clubs and high schools, including David Douglas Masters, Eastside Water Polo Club, Gresham High School Swimming and Water Polo, and Parkrose High School Water Polo. Currently, he serves as the Head Age-Group Coach for the Oregon City Swim Team. While Ben holds high expectations for his swimmers, he believes that athletics—especially swimming—should be enjoyable and provide valuable life experiences. |
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| Bryan Watt Assistant Age-Group / Master's Coach
Bryan Watt's competitive swimming career began in 1972 with the Oregon City Swim Team. He swam for Oregon City High School and continued his career at Oregon State University, graduating in 1987. After college, Bryan earned a commission in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for over 20 years, maintaining his fitness through swimming. In 2009, he re-entered the competitive swimming scene and established the Oregon City Masters swimming team in 2011. As the head coach of the Oregon City High School Swim Team, Bryan has led the program to several significant achievements, including multiple state championships and the first-ever state champion relay team in Oregon City High School history. Bryan believes in the lifelong benefits of swimming, sharing this passion with his family, all of whom have been part of the Oregon City Swim Team. |
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| Al Capron Assistant Coach
Before joining the staff at OCST, Al Capron was as an assistant coach with the Linfield College swim team, working under Head Coach Kyle Kimball from 2015-2018. During this time, the Linfield swimmers established 90 new school records. Al, an ASCA level 5 and USMS level 3 coach, has been coaching swimmers of all ages since 1992. A technique-driven coach with experience coaching at the NCAA Division I level, Al has developed age-group champions at the Regional and Zone level, and coached swimmers that achieved Junior National qualifying times as well as multiple Masters-level national and world masters record holders. He previously coached at the University of Washington, Bellevue Club Swim Team, and Lake Oswego Swim Club. Al likes to use underwater video to analyze swimming technique and is eager to help swimmers improve the way they move through the water. Al was a four-year varsity swimmer competing on the University of Washington Swim Team. Al swam distance Freestyle and Butterfly in college and was a member of the Pac-10 team from Washington from 1988-1992. Al enjoys playing guitar and swimming in his spare time. |
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| Tim Waud Masters Coach
Tim Waud has been an integral part of the Oregon City Swim Team since 1977, both as a coach and an athlete. His coaching career began as a student-athlete at the University of Oregon, where he was heavily involved in swim camps and helped establish the U of O Club Sport Swim Team. In 1991, he worked as a coach/counselor at the Stanford University Swim Camp alongside NCAA Division I National Championship coaches. Tim has coached USA Swimming and Oregon City High School teams and holds ASCA Level I & II certifications. He began coaching United States Masters Swimming in 1992 and continues to coach the Oregon City Tankers. Tim’s competitive background includes top finishes in Oregon Swimming Championships and a history of participation in national events. He is a strong advocate for the philosophy that “Swimming is for Life,” aiming to instill confidence, discipline, and a passion for swimming in athletes of all ages. |
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| Misty Collard Assistant Coach
Misty Collard’s swimming journey began at the age of four, and she joined her first competitive team at eleven. She was recognized as the most improved swimmer with the Dolphin team in Colorado and later swam for a multi-school team in high school, where she earned a varsity letter as a freshman, set several team records, and served as team captain for two years. After high school, Misty taught swimming classes during her AmeriCorps*NCCC service and later became head lifeguard at Mesa State University, teaching swimming to fellow students. In October 2023, she began training to become a competitive swim coach with Legacy Swim Club, finding joy in witnessing her swimmers’ progress. Misty is passionate about nurturing young athletes, celebrating their achievements, and fostering their growth in the sport, driven by her vision to inspire the next generation of swimmers. |
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| Laura Laderoute Assistant Coach / Dryland |
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| Simon Shi Assistant Coach
Simon Shi is a professional triathlete with a solid foundation in competitive swimming at the Division I level. He has completed five Ironman races and currently competes as a professional triathlete while sharing insights and training tips on his YouTube channel. With years of competitive experience, Simon is dedicated to helping athletes refine their technique and build endurance. His passion for swimming and triathlon drives him to inspire the next generation of swimmers, encouraging them to reach their goals and excel in the water. |
