Sophia Lochard

LCFY HEAD COACH

Lead Coach for Levels 4 & 5

Sophia has been involved with the Swim World of Licking County for over a decade. She has gained familiarity of over 30 aquatic facilities across Ohio, and has first hand experience in multiple different levels of Competitive Swimming. Sophia has multiple qualifier apperences in the following: YMCA zones, USA Junior Olympic, and High School Division 1 Districts. Sophia began coaching in High School all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and Varsity Letter every single year of High School. In the Summer of 2024 Sophia had the opprotunity to become Head Coach of the Swim Team and that's when she decided to shift her swimming career into her coaching career.

"My goal is to spread the joy and love for swimming by offering as many resources and opprotunities to our athletes as possible. As well as carrying the YMCA principles of developing the well-being of youth in sports- Character, Giving, Inspiration, Health, Achievement, Relationships, Belonging, Meaning, and Safety. Because to me, swimming is more than just a sport, and has more value than money can by."

In the Summer of 2025, the Sharks had their first 2nd place SEOWV Championship apperance in over 9 years. 

Julia Nelson

Assistant Coach for Level 4 

Julia Nelson's Coaching Career started from coaching High School Waterpolo. But before that, she spent 14 years building her swim career. Four of which were spent also playing waterpolo. In 2011 she made her first debut at the Junior Olympics as her relay team's Butterflyer and additional sprinter leg of the freestyle relays. In high school, she switched her focus to distance events and competed in the 500 freestyle at Division 1 Champiosnship and Sectional Meets.

Julia enjoys Coaching swimmers of all age groups; not only from the excitement of new accomplishments from her athletes, but because it gives her joy to help swimmers succeed and achieve their goals.

Chrissy Webb 

Lead Coach for Level 3

Seasonal: Fall-Winter

Chrissy’s love for swimming started in High School where she swam for New Albany. After two impressive years of competing at the high school level, she pursued her swim career further. Chrissy became a member of the Division 1 Wright State University Swim Team; she competed for WSU for all four years. After college, Chrissy found herself on the pool deck, rather than in the pool. Which was the sprout of her love for coaching! After two years of harboring the strength and passion of her Ymca’s swim team, she started her new journey serving in the Air-force for 9 years. During her 9 years she met her husband Scott. 

It wasn’t too long after that Chrissy found herself with her husband, watching her two boys swim at the Licking County family ymca. Chrissy then began coaching The Sharks in the Fall of 2024. And If Chrissy isn’t coaching on the pool deck, she is enjoying her hobbies;  running, swimming, spending time with family, and competing in marathons or masters swimming.

“My mission is: to ensure the kids have a positive & fun experience with swimming; help them to achieve the goals that they set; and building their confidence to give them tools for their future endeavors.”

Clayton Smith 

Lead Coach for Level 2 

Seasonal: Fall-Winter

Dryland Coach

Clayton began oaching in 2007 at his local YMCA in Massillon, Ohio. He would later coach for several summer seasons at Shady Hollow Country Club, eventually as Head Coach from 2013-14. A few years later his coaching journey would start again in 2024 when his son started swimming for the Sharks.

As a swimmer at Jackson High School, he was four- year letterman, Team Captain, and (previously) record holder of the 100 butterfly. In his senior year, Clayton was a district finalist, All- Country team member, and qualified for YMCA Nationals. He'd received a scholarship to Wheeling Jesuit University, a Division II school in West Virginia. There, he earned a Bachelor's in Psychology; before going to Ohio State University for his Master's in Human Resource Management. His favorit events were the 100 butterfly, 200 backstroke, and 200 IM.

Clayton grew up swimming and playing other various sports. He is also an Eagle Scout, scuba diver, and big Cleveland sports fan. Clayton has a lot of passion for the sport of swimming. He brings energy and enthusiasm to the pool deck (and weight room). He's always looking forward to another great swim season. "Go Sharks"!

Emma Savage

Lead Coach for Level 1

Emma Savage has been a competitive swimmer since the age of 6. She has competed with the LCFY Sharks, Columbus Polar Bears, and Northridge High school. Emma has been pouring her love into swim lessons at the Newark Ymca since 2022. Which is where her passion for coaching stems from. 

Emma began coaching the LCFY Sharks in the Fall of 2023. But began her coaching career the summer of 2022 working for former LCFY Head Coach, Rachel Furr at the Johnstown Jaguars Swim Team. Emma’s goal is to help the youth achieve their goals and most importantly, to have fun!