Kristen Cunnane, Head Coach

Kristen Cunnane competed at MCC as a youth swimmer. As a member of the WAVES swim team she earned multiple OMPA high point, OMPA swimmer of the meet and County high point awards along with setting several OMPA and County records. She went on to be an All American, Olympic Trials Semi-Finalist and Team Captain at UCLA. She coached at CAL from 2005-2015 where the program won 4 Pac-12 and 4 NCAA Championships and she was named NCAA Assistant Coach of the Year. Kristen earned a Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis in Achievement in Athletics from CAL. Kristen left Division One coaching in 2015 to raise her young children and start her own business consulting athletes who are looking to get recruited for swimming in college.  She now has FOUR kids competing for MCC! Let's go WAVES!

Cathy Durden, 9 & up Lead Coach

Cathy returned to coaching in 2018 after taking 10 years off to raise her two children, Jack and Mia, both of whom swim for MCC. She spent 2017-2019 at Scottsdale swim team in Walnut Creek, helping guide the team to a 5th place team finish at the county meet.  She has coached many different levels including learn-to-swim, summer league and D1 collegiate swimming. Cathy grew up in Ohio and was recruited to swim at Auburn University where she was a 3 time All-American. After her collegiate career she joined the coaching staff at Auburn from 2003-2005 during which the Auburn men won three NCAA team titles and the women won two.  Cathy enjoys working with each swimmer to unlock their personal potential in the sport and is very excited to be coaching at MCC this summer! Let's Go WAVES!

Carlie Polkinghorn, 8 & under Lead Coach

Carlie was born and raised in the Bay Area graduating from Northgate High School and proud Alumni of Saint Mary's College (Go Gaels!) Carlie grew up swimming at Scottssale Swim Team where her specialty events were IM and breaststroke. During her tenure on the team Carlie served as a junior coach, assistant coach for 4 years and head coach for 2 years. 

In addition to coaching swimming, Carlie was also an assistant for teh Northgate High School women's waterpolo team, winning the NCS championship in 2022. After taking time away to travel, Carlie is eager to jump back into coaching.

Outside the pool deck Carlie is a 4th grade teacher at St Mary School. Her involvement in coaching summer swim helped her find her passion for working with childres to not only help them grow as students but as responsible and kind members of the community.

Carlie cannot wait to learn all about MCC and coach alongside some amazing people! GO WAVES!!

Thomas Coplo, Senior Coach

Thomas graduated Campolindo High School in 2023. He was the Campo Varsity Captain for both Water Polo and Swim teams in his senior year. In April of 2023, he committed to play water polo at University of the Pacific where he played his freshman year. He is now studying, playing water polo, and actively swimming at Diablo Valley College where he will be transferring out in the fall. He swam for MCC his whole childhood, loves the families and community that the swim team brings together, and is excited to be a part of the coaching staff and experience this great program in a new light.

Debbie Santos, Specialty Coach

Debbie grew up swimming in Marin County and then swam for the University of Arizona.  Debbie began coaching in 1986 and was the San Marin High School Coach for 10 years, the Valley Vista coach for 8 years, and is currently coaching Walnut Creek Masters.  As a Masters swimmer herself, Debbie has held Masters National and Masters World Records!  She is also a credentialed teacher and taught 10 years of 6th grade.  Roque and Debbie have four athletic daughters, and I (Kristen) highly recommend sending your swimmers to Debbie as she is an incredible coach who can make massive improvements with any swimmer at any level.

AMAZING Junior Coaches
for 2025