Coaches and Directors
Coach Michelle Langsford Dickemann (Coach “D”) has
over 40 years of swimming and coaching experience that includes USA
Swimming and high school and collegiate swim teams. Dickemann
wasn’t your average swimmer. She became the first female from
Springfield, MO to win a high school state championship. She went
on to a collegiate career at the College of the
Ozarks and then Drury
University. She earned 21 NAIA All-American honors, capturing
14 national championships and setting records in each of her
winning events. Dickemann earned NAIA Most Valuable Swimmer in 1984
and 1985 when she scored enough points at the national meets for
Drury to finish 8th and 10th, respectively, as a team of
one. Dickemann was inductee of the NAIA Swimming Hall of Fame as
well as the Drury and Springfield Area Sports Halls of Fame. In
2018 Dickemann was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
(
CLICK HERE for details on Dickemann’s MSHOF induction and
student-athlete career.)
In 2021, Michelle Dickemann (Langsford) was honored as one of the
100 greatest swimmers in collegiate history, alongside athletes
like Katie Ledecky. The College Swimming & Diving Coaches
Association (CSCAA), as part of the CSCAA’s 100th-year
celebration, announced the 100 Greatest Swimmers & Divers of
the past century (see CSCAA announcement at https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/cscaa-names-100-greatest-womens-swimmers-divers/).
Following her stellar swim career, Dickemann became a teacher, coach, and entrepreneur. For the last number of years Dickemann has been an age group coach for USA swimming and recreational swim teams in the greater Springfield, MO areas. Recently Coach “D” sold one of her businesses and after a long search, her family chose to live in Crystal River, Florida. Coach “D” has three children: one grown, one who is a collegiate-athlete baseball player, and one who is a high school student. In addition to coaching for Sun Coast Swim Team, Coach “D” is a coach with the Crystal River High School Pirate Swim Team.
Coach “D” believes that everyone has a special place on the Sun Coast Swim Team. As Dickemann’s career has demonstrated, age group swimming builds a strong foundation for a lifetime of good physical and mental health by teaching time management, self-discipline and life-long fitness habits. Coach “D” shared, “I look forward to working with a new swimming family. I hope my love of the sport of swimming will prove to be an asset to each program.”
Coach Beth is a highly dedicated and experienced swim coach, who has been inspiring and guiding young swimmers for over 15 years. A native of Texas, Coach Beth has a USA Swimming certification and has made a significant impact on the swim community. Her passion and commitment to the sport are evident in the achievements of her four children, all of whom have swum for SCST.
In addition to her coaching duties, Coach Beth is also a registered nurse (BSN) and works as a nursing instructor for the Crystal River High School Academy of Health Careers. Her dedication to healthcare and wellness extends to her role as a coach, where she focuses on developing not just the swim skills, but also the physical and mental well-being of her athletes.
Coach Beth has also been a coach for the Crystal River High School Swim Team for over six years and has played a significant role in the team's success, helping them win over 4 district championships. Her passion, experience, and dedication to the sport are an inspiration to all those who have had the privilege of working with her.
Renee Alford is no stranger to the SCST family. As a board member and longtime dedicated supporter, Renee has played a pivotal role in the team’s growth and development. A former competitive swimmer and athlete herself, she is also a USA Swimming certified coach. Her deep-rooted connection with SCST, coupled with her extensive experience in athletics, makes her an invaluable addition to our coaching staff.
Renee’s commitment to fostering young talent extends beyond the pool. She is a respected teacher at Crystal River Primary School, where she inspires and educates her students daily. Her involvement in kid triathlons and other athletic programs as a volunteer athlete supporter highlights her dedication to nurturing young athletes and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. Renee’s enthusiasm, combined with her experience and supportive nature, promises to create a positive and motivating environment for our swimmers.
Cliff Dyer is a highly accomplished swim coach and educator, with over 15 years of experience in both fields. He began his coaching career in 2005 and has since established himself as one of the most respected coaches in Citrus County. With a passion for swimming and a drive for excellence, Dyer has dedicated his career to developing young athletes and helping them reach their full potential.
Dyer's coaching career has been marked by numerous successes, including his time as the head coach for the Crystal River High School Pirate Swim & Dive Team. During his tenure at Crystal River High School, he led the team to 8 district championship titles, earning him a reputation as one of the top coaches in the area. He also spent over 15 years coaching for the Sun Coast Swim Team, further demonstrating his dedication to the sport and his ability to bring out the best in his athletes.
In addition to his coaching achievements, Dyer is also the Dean of Students for Crystal River High School and has been an educator for over 15 years. His passion for both swimming and education has made him a well-respected and valued member of the community. With his extensive experience and his commitment to excellence, Cliff Dyer is truly an outstanding coach who has made a significant impact on the lives of countless young athletes
Justin is an assistant coach for Sun Coast Swim Team with a lifelong passion for swimming. A former SCST swimmer himself, Justin brings firsthand experience, dedication, and a positive attitude to the pool deck. After an impressive competitive career, including swimming at the NCAA Division II level for Barry University, Justin transitioned to coaching. He’s committed to helping swimmers grow both in and out of the water, focusing on technique, confidence, and team spirit. His goal is to give back to the team that shaped him, now from the other side of the blocks.
Captain Holme is the founder of the Sun Coast Swim Team and is a Life Coach and Life Board Member of the Sun Coast Swim Team.
Captain Holme is a highly decorated U.S. Naval officer and former Crystal River High School JROTC Senior Naval instructor and teacher, began leading competitive swimming in Citrus County in 1992. In 1995 Captain Holme founded the Sun Coast Swim Team which has grown into the premier competitive swim team in Citrus County. Under Captain Holme’s leadership, SCST has been home to more than 750 swimmers. Over 27 SCST Swimmers have gone on to swim in college at the NCAA Division I, II, and III and NAIA schools including FSU, FAU, the US Naval Academy, Norwich University, Indian River State College, Florida Tech, Florida Southern, Virginia Military Institute, and Daytona State. In addition, Captain founded the CRHS Swim and Dive Team and has continued to play a vital role in its operation. The CRHS Swim and Dive Team holds 26 FHSAA District Championship titles and over 18 Conference Championship titles. The athletic successes realized by Sun Coast Swim Team swimmers would not be possible if not for Captain Holme.
Captain Thomas T. Holme, Jr., USN (Ret) was born in Pennsylvania
and grew up in Connecticut. He entered the Navy in 1963 from
the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Regular Program when he
graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Political Science. Later, in 1971, Captain Holme received a master
of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of
Maryland. He was elected to Pi Sigma Alpha, the National
Political Science Honor Society while at the University of
Maryland.
Captain is a qualified submariner and a
“proven sub specialist” in both Intelligence and
Political/Military Strategic Planning. He attended Submarine
School, Defense Intelligence School, and the Foreign Service
Institute of the US Department of State. Captain Holme
completed the nine-month Postgraduate Intelligence Program at the
Defense Intelligence School in 1969 and returned in 1984 to pursue
Attaché training. At the Foreign Service Institute, he
completed Greek Language training in 1972 and Russian Language
training in
1985.
Captain Holme has held a variety of assignments at sea and ashore. His first overseas assignment was as Operations and Plans Officer with the Joint United States Military Aid Group, Greece from 1972 to 1974. From 1974 to 1977, Captain Holme was Assistant Intelligence Officer for Commander Submarine Force, US Atlantic Fleet. He is a qualified docking officer and, while in command of USS WATERFORD (ARD-5), from 1977 to 1979, served as Technical Advisor for the development of the first Docking Officer curriculum ever written. Later, from 1980 to 1982, Captain Holme served first as Executive Officer of USS HOWARD W. GILMORE (AS-16), homeported in La Maddalena, Sardinia and then as Executive Officer of USS HOLLAND (AS-32), homeported in Holy Loch Scotland. In 1982, he returned to Commander Submarine Force, US Atlantic Fleet as Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Special Security and Special Operations.
Following this assignment, Captain Holme served as Naval Attaché and Naval Attaché for Air, Moscow, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In October 1986, Captain Holme was declared “persona non grata” by the Soviet Government and was expelled with his family in an act of political reciprocity. From November 1986 until April 1989, Captain Holme was assigned as Assistant National Intelligence Officer for General Purpose Forces on the staff of The National Intelligence Council. For his work there, the Director, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) awarded him the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement.
Captain Holme spent his last two years on active duty as Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Command, Orlando. During this assignment he became familiar with the Naval Junior ROTC Program by hosting units on their frequent orientation visits to the Navy’s only coed boot camp. Following retirement, Captain Holme assumed duties as Senior Naval Science Instructor at Crystal River High School. In addition to his responsibilities as SNSI, Captain Holme initiated a varsity swimming and diving program at Crystal River High School and served as Head Coach until the 2005 season.
Captain Holme’s personal decorations include: the Legion of Merit with gold star; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal; the Joint Service Commendation Medal; and the Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars.




