Head Coach Christie has been in the pool for as long as she can remember. One of her favorite childhood memories is putting on a suit, cap and goggles and jumping into the pool for practice or getting ready to race in a meet. Christie has been a swim coach for twenty years, and for a total of twelve of those years Christie has been on-deck with the Stingrays/STAS. In her youth, she swam for the Rollingwood Rockets, where one of her records stood until just last year. Christie, at age 11, began competing year-round for CCA and then the Sierra Marlins. In her Spare Time, Christie also played water polo at BV. Her coaching career began at age 14, when she became a volunteer coach for the Rollingwood Rockets. We’re so pleased she came full-circle: Gold River in '03, Wolverine Aquatics in '08, and then back to Home Sweet Home in 2013. Christie coached her way through school, attaining a B.S. in Biochemistry from Sac State.
Christie's coaching and in-the-gym dryland training philosophy is to set goals and continually strive toward them, stay focused on technique, and to always, always, stay positive! She hopes she can pass on those same childhood memories she continues to cherish to our young swimmers. With her six-year-old son Ty and new baby Callum, Christie's days are full and happy. "Together, They Believe!"
Contact Coach Christie if you have any questions at [email protected] or call 916-638-7001.
Now in her 20th season, Coach Stephanie always exudes smiling Stingrays Spirit! A transplant from Southern California, she swam competitively for 12 years at the Industry Hills Aquatics Club ... achieving Junior Olympics status. While captain of her high school team, Stephanie competed at the Southern Sections CIF meet. Attending Sac City College, she swam, played water polo, and was named Scholar-Athlete for two consecutive years. Stephanie continued her education at UC Davis, remained active in competitive water polo, and graduated in '08 with a degree in American Studies degree. In addition to the pooldeck, in '08 Coach Stephanie married her college sweetheart Brandon; and three years ago, they were blessed to become parents of future Mini-Rays, Turnbull Twins Cameron and Sebastian. As wife, mom and coach, Stephanie makes it all fun! This family's joyous whirlwind residence is located in Fair Oaks, where the Fun Foursome "Believes in Belief!"
Debbie Walker worked as the head coach of California Capital Aquatics and has over 30 years of coaching experience. Debbie is a graduate of San Francisco State with a K-12 teaching credential. Debbie has a passion for coaching and is a retired full-time professional dedicated to the sport of swimming. Some of Debbie’s coaching achievements include: Sierra Nevada Age Group Coach of the Year for three consecutive years-1996, 1997, and 1998, and again in 2004; she has produced Senior National Qualifiers, Junior National Qualifiers, Junior National Record Holders, National Age-Group Record Holders, and Far Western Record Holders. Most recently, Debbie coached a 2008 Olympic Trials Qualifier. In addition, she has coached numerous High School All-American swimmers, and CIF Section team titles. We are so honored to have her as part of our team!
Salma is a current student at Bella Vista High School. And swam on the stingrays for 7 years. She loved it and found that it created a great community for her throughout her younger years. Her favorite stroke is break-stroke. She loves encouraging kids to step out of their comfort zone and try hard things!
Coach Emily is a wife and mom of three who has been active in the Sacramento recreational swim community many years. Growing up, Coach Emily began swimming at the age of 3 and continued through high school and into junior college. For the past 12 years, Coach Emily was year-round with the Del Norte Dolphins, head coaching ages 3-11 and assistant coaching 12+U. She is a USA Swim certified coach and continues to further her swim coaching education through ASCA and USA Swim. Coach Emily really enjoys coaching swim because of how rewarding it is to see young athletes develop individually in the sport! She is very excited to be joining the staff at Gold River and looks forward to seeing the success of the swimmers and their love of swimming to grow!
