Coaching Staff
Chris Coghill Head Coach

Joined BBST: 2020

Originally From: Jefferson, Maryland

Coaching Philosophy in 5-7 Words: Doing things correctly, consistently.

Favorite Stroke / Event to Swim: Freestyle

Favorite Thing to Teach: Kicking

Couldn’t Live Without: coffee, running with his dog and bagel sandwiches

Favorite Quote: “Talent sets the floor, character sets the ceiling.” - Bill Belichick


Prior to coming to Bellingham, Chris worked with Austin Swim Club for 5 years. Chris most recently served as Senior Head Coach, preceded by roles as Associate Head Coach and Head Age Group Coach. Chris helped swimmers achieve an array of accomplishments, including qualifying for Olympic Trials, Senior and Junior Nationals, and numerous age group standards. Some of Chris’s other accomplishments and positions with Austin Swim Club include:

- South Texas Board of Directors, Coaches’ Representative, 2018-2020
- Texas Swimming Association All Star Committee, President Appointee, 2017- 2020
- South Texas Senior Coach of the Year, Large Team Division 2019
- South Texas Age Group Coach of the Year, Large Team Division 2016, 2017, & 2018
- Finalist for National Age Group Coach of the Year, 2018
- National Age Group Coaches Summit 2018
- National Diversity Select Camp 2018

From 2013-2015, Chris was the Head Assistant Coach at Machine Aquatics, and was part of the establishment of their new site at the University of Maryland.  In his two years with Machine, the UMD site doubled in size, and saw swimmers fall in love with the sport. Prior to Machine Aquatics, Chris was the Head Coach of the Braddock Heights Swim Team in Frederick, MD for four years. 
Chris graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with honors in a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Economics, and Public Policy. He swam all four years and was voted team captain his last two years. In his free time, Chris enjoys traveling and all kinds of outdoor activities, including training for and competing in triathlons!
Karl Mering Head Age Group Coach

Joined BBST: 2023

Originally From: Boise, Idaho

Coaching Philosophy in 5-7 Words: Make it engaging and keep learning!

Favorite Stroke / Event to Swim: 200yd Freestyle

Favorite Thing to Teach: Butterfly

Couldn’t Live Without: musical instruments, hiking trails and working out

Favorite Quote: “Giving up is not in the blood sir, it is not in the blood.” - Nimsdai (Nepalese mountaineer who climbed the world’s 14 tallest peaks in just 7 months!)

 
I come to the team as a lifelong swimmer with experience coaching at multiple levels of the sport. Some of my other interests include weight lifting, hiking, yoga, and piano. 
 
I grew up in Idaho, where I fell in love with swimming, piano and everything outdoors. I went on to swim four years at Whitman College in Walla Walla, where I became the school's first national Champion in DIII in the 100 fly. I have coached many teams, and spent two years prior to coming to BBST as a full-time assistant swim/dive coach for Grinnell College's swim/dive. 
 
 I love every part of the experience of being a coach: whether that is working on a technical aspect in a turn or stroke, developing race strategy or helping support athletes to process a challenging swim. 

 As a coach my goal is to give swimmers an opportunity to see themselves in a good light and shine.  A great experience comes with creating meaningful connections with the athletes and showing them that you care for them and that their efforts matter. They really do!  I want to create the best possible experience for your swimmers, to challenge them to grow as athletes and people, and above all bring joy to the sport! 

Looking forward to being on deck! 

 

Rhonda Stouder Developmental Coach

Joined BBST: 2017

Originally From: Philomath and Corvalis, Oregon

Coaching Philosophy in 5-7 Words: Swim Smart! Work hard and have fun.

Favorite Stroke / Event to Swim: Diving and Backstroke

Favorite Thing to Teach: Breaststroke

Couldn’t Live Without: Jesus, family and swimmers to coach

Favorite Quote: “You don’t have to feel good to swim good!” and “We can do hard things!”

 
I was the kid on swim team racing after my 3 big brothers, dreaming about growing gills and wishing for invisible flippers! (I'm not sure how many times my mom had to rescue me!) I swam and dove for Oregon State University, coaching Corvallis Aquatic Team for 6 years during that time. My BS from OSU is in Physical Education and PreTherapy. I coached for CAT, Lincoln City Clippers, Cascade Aquatic Club, Sunnyside and Philomath high schools and age groups. I have almost been coaching for 40 years! (How did that happen?)
 
My goal and philosophy as a coach is to help swimmers swim smart, grow great character, learn great work ethic, be a great team mate and have fun while working on it! 
Brianna Dawson Age Group Coach

Joined BBST: 2022

Originally From: Everett, Washington

Coaching Philosophy in 5-7 Words: Success sits on a foundation of supporters.

Favorite Stroke / Event to Swim: 500yd Freestyle

Favorite Thing to Teach: 400 Individual Medley

Couldn’t Live Without: lip balm, lint roller, and coffee

Favorite Quote: “Honor your team with your effort!”

 
I was raised right here in the PNW! I love snowboarding, wake surfing, lifting, hiking and hanging out with my cats. 
 
I have been involved in swimming since I was 7. I took my first swim lesson and my career continued from there. I swam for West and Bellevue Club from 8-18 then swam at the University of Idaho from 2016-2020. In my last conference meet with Idaho, I placed 7th in the 500, 4th in the 400 IM and 3rd in the 1650 at the WAC Conference. I also coached at Vandal Aquatic Club while I was in college and I worked with age group swimmers aged 7-13. My experience as a swimmer and coach have provided me with many opportunities to meet coaches and swimmers from all walks of life and learn something new from each of them. I believe that dreaming big goes hand-in-hand with the understanding that the process of getting there is just as important (if not more!) than achieving the dream itself. 
 
Brad Jones Head Strength Coach/Assistant Coach

Joined BBST: 2010

Originally From: Potomac, Maryland

Coaching Philosophy in 5-7 Words: build relationships, inspire, connect

Favorite Stroke / Event to Swim: Butterfly

Favorite Thing to Teach: underwater dolphin kicks off walls and power cleans

Couldn’t Live Without: family, tacos, and Crocs

Favorite Quote: “Don’t worry about motivation. Motivation is fickle. It comes and goes. It is unreliable - and when you are counting on motivation to get your goals accomplished, you will likely fall short.” - Jocko Willink

 

During his time with BBST, Brad has watched the team get stronger, faster and have fewer injuries.  

Brad has been around swimming his entire life. Brad grew up swimming with one of the largest clubs in the country, and then received a full scholarship to swim at Pennsylvania State University. His knowledge and experience with high level swimming helps Brad understand the demands being put on the BBST swimmers' bodies.  

Brad spends his days helping people of all ages get stronger, recover from various injuries, and improve sports performance as a Certified Advanced Rolfer and personal trainer (rolfingbellingham.com) Brad’s knowledge of anatomy, physiology and movement contributes to the success that he has had with BBST.  

Brad is  a   Surge Strength Dryland Certified Coach, a GAIN Swimming Dryland Coach,   an ASCA Level 3 coach and has certifications with ACE, Brand X, Onnit, FMS, and IKFF.

One of the many tools that Brad loves to use with the swimmers is the kettlebell.  Brad has been a Certified Kettlebell instructor for over ten years and has taught workshops all over the country.  Brad has also competed in four Kettlebell Sport World Championships and always placed in the top 3 for his weight class.  Brad enjoys Masters swimming and competing in both local and National meets.

 
Noah Henderson Age Group Coach

Joined BBST: 2023
Originally From: Everett, Washington
Coaching Philosophy in 5-7 words: Building confidence and skill through efficient training
Favorite Stroke / Event to Swim: 50 Yard Breaststroke
Favorite Thing to Teach: Butterfly
Couldn’t Live Without: Family, nature, and lemonade
Favorite Quote: “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey"

As a former club swimmer myself, I know what it is like to be part of this sport at all levels. I learned how to swim and first started swimming competitively at my local YMCA, before eventually transferring to club swimming at age 11. I swam for StingRay Swim Team in Snohomish for 7 years and got to compete all over the country. I also swam all four years in high school, broke school records and was named captain of the team my final two years.


While swimming in Snohomish, I was given the chance to coach. I ran a pre-comp group that was made up of kids aged 7-11, who were preparing to move up to the club team. I also helped run the pools summer league team each summer. I moved up to Bellingham to pursue a degree in Biology from Western Washington University and decided to continue my swimming career here on BBST. I swam one year for BBST and had a great time competing for the team. I’ve been in the water for as long as I can remember, and swimming will forever be a big part of my life. That’s why I’m super excited to be able to share some of my knowledge and experiences to help the next generation of swimmers!

Roseann Fuhrman Assistant Coach

Joined BBST: 2020 as a coach (2016 as a parent!)

Originally From: Seattle, Washington

Coaching Philosophy in 5-7 Words: swim with heart, train with purpose, succeed with pride

Favorite Stroke / Event to Swim: Freestyle

Favorite Thing to Teach: Freestyle and Backstroke

Couldn’t Live Without: family, friends and sunshine

Favorite Quote: “Just keep swimming!” - Dory

Roseann's love of swimming has grown as she has supported her four children on BBST since 2016. As an experienced educator who has dedicated many years to teaching in Whatcom County, her love of teaching grew into the desire to coach swimmers when she joined the team as a volunteer coach in 2020. Her passion for teaching children shines through as she continues to foster growth and help swimmers meet their potential.

 

Dylan Crooks Substitute Coach
Coach Dylan was born and raised in western Washington and has been a part of the swimming community here since he was 8 years old. 
Dylan swam competitively in summer league programs, high school, and club programs in the Seattle area before swimming for Linfield College in 2007-2008. Dylan's coaching experience has provided him with extensive opportunities to work with athletes ranging 10&Unders to Junior National qualifiers. Dylan's coaching experience includes: 
  • 2010 - Assistant Coach - Klahaya Swim Team (summer league), Edmonds, WA
  • 2010-2011 - Assistant Coach - Bellingham Bay Swim Team, Bellingham, WA
  • 2012 - 2017 - Head Age Group Coach - South Snohomish County Dolphins, Mukilteo, WA
  • 2017 - 2019 - Site Director, La Jolla - North Coast Aquatics, Carlsbad, CA
As a coach, Dylan emphasizes the importance of technique, sportsmanship, self-agency, and fun. In his free time, Dylan enjoys exploring the Cascades, live music, and spending time with friends and family. Dylan is currently completing a Masters in Education for School Counseling at Western Washington University, and is very excited to be a part of the BBST community again! 
Emily Stocker Subsitute Coach

Originally From: Wasilla, Alaska

Year Joined BBST: 2025

Coaching Philosophy summed up in 5-7 words: You must find enjoyment in the sport to grow!

Favorite Stroke or Event to Swim: 100 backstroke

Favorite Stroke or Event to Teach / Watch: 500 freestyle

3 Things You Couldn’t Live Without: My family, friendships, and milk

Favorite Motivational Quote: "Nothing will work unless you do" - Maya Angelou

Fiona Dawson Strength and Conditioning Coach
Originally From: Bellingham
Year Joined BBST: 2024/2025
Coaching Philosophy summed up in 5-7 words: Move better, longer
Favorite Stroke or Event to Swim: Doggy paddle
Favorite Stroke or Event to Teach / Watch: 400 IM
3 Things You Couldn’t Live Without: Weightlifting, coffee, and my hat
Favorite Motivational Quote
“If we’re unwilling to fail, we’re unwilling to succeed.” 
-Mark Manson
Or
“Do not try to become a person of success but try to become a person of value.” 
-Albert Einstein