Wahoos Coach Bios
Mary B. Shaw, Head Coach
Phone: 843-834-3334
Email: [email protected]
Works with: all HOOS groups
Coach Mary B. was born and raised in Mt. Pleasant, SC. She is a graduate of Lenoir-Ryne College in Hickory, NC, where she was a scholarship athlete in soccer and basketball. She met her husband and best friend Chandler there. They have 3 children; Gil, 21, Adair, 18, and Chandler, 14.
She began her swim coaching career when she was 19 years old at the same summer swim team she swam for, the Hobcaw Yacht Club Marlins. She coached until her first child was born, and then took a break to have a family and be a full-time mom. Her children began to develop a love for the sport that allowed Mary B. to dive into coaching more seriously. In addition to summer swim league, she has been coaching year-round for twelve years.
If you’ve ever seen Mary B. in the heat of competition or coaching, you've seen her passion and enthusiasm for youth sports. She believes in the complete development of the total athlete, and that’s why swimming is so appealing to her.
Mary B. has served as the Head Coach since the inception of the Wahoos, in 2017.
Tara Boone, Program Director
Phone: 843-452-9239
Email: [email protected]
Tara serves as the Wahoos Program Director, aiding in all things that go into running the team. In addition, Tara has the privilege to work with coaches and swimmers to help enforce the Wahoo vision of purposeful training and provide opportunities for all Wahoos to consistently improve.
As a swimmer, Tara swam locally for Snee Farm and the City of Charleston Swim Team. She earned a swimming scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, where she also served as team captain her senior year. She still holds numerous South Carolina state records.
As a coach, Tara has worked with swimmers aged 5+ for over two decades. She has coached summer league teams and year-round teams. Her swimmers have raced at state, regional, and national level meets. While some of her coaching philosophies have evolved, her firm but fair approach and the belief that all kids exceed expectations when given the opportunity remain constant.
As a swimmer and coach, she has seen the negative effects of burn-out and the fear of failure. She is dedicated to implementating the Wahoo vision for an altered approach to year-round swimming to address these issues and maintain a family-centered culture that encourages our youth to be brave, work hard, and have fun.
Tara and her husband, Jonathan, and have three boys: Jonathan Jr (14), Charles (12), and Grady (9).
Tara has worked with the Wahoos since its inception, in 2017.
Joseph Brooks, Associate Head Coach
Lead Coach: HOOS 3. Also works with: Mini-HOOS, HOOS 4.
Coach Joseph starting working with the Wahoos in 2023. He was born and raised in Greenville, SC and graduate from Clemson with a degree in Parks and Recreation. He swam year-round with YSSC for 10 years. Joseph starting coaching at his summer swim team in Greenville when he was 16 and was Head Coach for 3 summers. It was there that he realized his passion for coaching and impacting kids in a positive way. This led him to his assistant coaching job at YSSC, where he coached for two years while he was in college. After graduation, he moved to Charleston and joined the HOOS staff.
Joseph is thrilled to be a part of the team and loves getting to meet all of the great people associated with the HOOS. Joseph recently got married to his beautiful wife, Emily, in April 2025.
Maggie Laney, 10 & Under Associate Head Coach
Lead Coach: Mini-HOOS, HOOS 1, HOOS 2
Coach Maggie joined the Wahoos staff in 2022. She was born in New York, grew up as an Army brat and is a graduate of the College of Charleston, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. She also obtained a Masters of Science in Health, Exercise and Sports Science. Coach Maggie has been involved in the local swimming community as both a swimmer and a coach for over 30 years and hopes to continue sharing her passion for the sport for many years to come. Coach Maggie is dedicated to keeping Wahoos a top tier USA Swimming Age Group program and works tirelessly with coaches, athletes, and parents to uphold our team values and create an empowering culture that provides meaningful experiences. Maggie and her husband, Ralph, have to adult daughters: Gyles and Mattie.
Ayris Akbay, Assistant Coach
Works with: HOOS 2, HOOS 3, HOOS 4
Coach Ayris swam at the University of South Carolina. Her main events were the 100, 200 and 500 Freestyle. She’s been coaching with the Wahoos since 2021; she has been coaching swimming for about 6 years. Away from the pool, she manages a restaurant on King Street and loves to surf whenever she has time. Her favorite part of coaching is being able to combine having fun and working hard in order to accomplish the swimmers’ goals.
McCrae Burns, Junior Coach
Works with HOOS 1, HOOS 2.
McCrae has been an active member of the Wahoos since he was 8 years old. Currently a sophomore at Lucy Beckham High School, he swims for the Bengals as well as his beloved summer swim team, the Hobcaw Marlins. Outside of swimming, McCrae loves to surf, play the bass, fish and is trying his hand at golf. This is his first year as a junior coach; he can't wait for a fun and amazing season!
Carson Burt, Assistant Coach
Works with: HOOS 4
Coach Carson is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. He began swimming at 3 years old for a summer club team and started year-round swimming at the age of 5. Carson is a 2021 graduate from THE Ohio State University where he studied Finance and swam all 4 years. Carson began coaching when he was 13 and has been coaching or doing lessons ever since. Outside of the pool, he is a medical device sales rep, working with optometrists. This is Carson’s third year coaching with the Wahoos; he began coaching here in Charleston because he wanted to give back to the sport that gave so much to him.
Kevin Cooney, Assistant Coach
Works with: HOOS 3, HOOS 4
Coach Cooney has been coaching at Wahoos since 2019. He has coached at all levels of swimming through ECSL, High School, and Club. He came to Charleston after graduating from the University of Tampa, where he was a member of the Men's Swim Team and studied Secondary Education. Currently, Coach Cooney is a High School Math Teacher at North Charleston High School. He enjoys going to the gym, trivia, and kickball. He is a strong believer that anyone can be successful in and out of the water as long as they are committed, passionate, and dedicated
Darby Galbraith, Assistant Coach
Works with: HOOS 2, HOOS 3.
Darby was born and raised in the Northern Virginia area with her two siblings, Jack and Ella. She grew up swimming year-round, playing soccer and playing basketball. She recently graduated from the University of South Carolina where she swam and specialized in the backstroke and butterfly events. She also coached with Carolina Aquatics in Columbia. Away from the pool, Darby works in the sales and fitness industry. In her free time, she loves to go to the beach, workout with friends, and try new restaurants. Her favorite part about coaching is spreading the joy of the sport with her swimmers, just like her coaches did for her. She is so excited to begin coaching for the Wahoos this year!
Charlie Green, Assistant Coach
Works with: mini-HOOS, HOOS 1.
Charlie has been swimming in South Carolina for 14 years. He joined the Wahoos his senior year in high school and became a Winter Junior National finalist. His main events are the 100/200 Backstroke and the 200/500 Freestyle. This is his first year coaching for the Wahoos. He coached alongside Coach Cooney on the Brickyard summer league team the past two years. He is currently taking a gap year from Kenyon College where he was a First Team All-American in the 200 Backstroke. He is excited to be working with the Mini-HOOS and HOOS 1 groups. His focus will be on having fun, building a strong foundation and a love for the sport of swimming.
Sarah Gray Heinemann, Junior Coach
Works with: HOOS 1, HOOS 2
Sarah Gray has been swimming with the HOOS since the age of 7. This is her first year junior coaching at the Wahoos. She recently finished up a successful coaching season at Hobcaw. She is a junior at Academic Magnet High School, where she also swims on the high school team (the Raptors). She is excited to be joining the Wahoos coaching staff this season.
Brroke Morrow, Junior Coach
Junior Coach. Works with: Mini-HOOS, HOOS 1
Brooke has been swimming on club teams since the age of 8, including her past 3 years with the Wahoos. This is her first year of coaching for the Wahoos and she is very excited to be joining the team after coaching the Belle Hall Sharks this past summer. She is a junior at Lucy Beckham High School, where she swims for the Bengals. Brooke is looking forward to having a fun season with all of the little HOOS!
Bella Pantano, Assistant Coach
Works with: HOOS 2, HOOS 3, HOOS 4
Bella swam for the University of South Carolina and graduated in May of 2024. Go Gamecocks! She served as a captain of the Women's team during her junior and senior years. Other notable accomplishments during her time at Carolina include: competing in the 2024 NCAA meet, Gamecock school record holder in the 100 Back, and 2024 Olympic Trials participant in the 100 and 200 Backstroke events. Bella has been coaching with the Wahoos since the spring of 2025. Swimming has given her so much joy, friendship, and opportunity for growth that she is excited to share with Wahoo swimmers. She also works with New York Life.
Greta Pelzek, Assistant Coach
Works with: HOOS 2, HOOS 3, HOOS 4
Greta is so excited to start working with the Wahoos this year! She was raised in Chicago and was a swimmer for 12 years. She recently graduated from the University of South Carolina where she had the opportunity to swim at the 2024 Olympic Trials and the NCAA Championships. She holds multiple school records and is a 2 x All-American in the 200 Butterfly. In her free time, Greta loves to go to the beach and cook. Outside of the Wahoos, Greta works for a local law firm, with plans to go to law school in the future.
AJ Ross, Assistant Coach
Works with: HOOS 4
AJ started swimming when he was 7 years old for NCAP, a club team in Northern Virginia. He continued his swimming at the collegiate level for the University of South Carolina. GO GAMECOCKS!! As a Gamecock, he had the privilege to compete at both the NCAA Championship Meet in 2019 and the 2021 US Olympic Trials. Specializing in sprint freestyle, he believes in building strong foundations and refining fundamental techniques. Beyond the pool, AJ is a structural engineer, earning hbis PE designation in 2025, adding a meticulous edge to his coaching style. His competitive background helps him guide athletes under pressure, aiming for their ultimate potential both in and out of the water. AJ has been coaching with the Wahoos since 2023.
Julia Schady, Junior Coach
Works with: HOOS 1, HOOS 2
Julia has been swimming with the Wahoos since the age of 9. She is a junior at Academic Magnet High School, and swims for the high school team, the Raptors. This is her first year coaching at the Wahoos. Swimming has brought Julia so many friends and so much joy throughout the years. She is excited to be on the Wahoos coaching staff this season.
Catherine Grace Soper, Assistant Coach
Works with: Mini-HOOS, HOOS 1, HOOS 2
Catherine Grace, commonly known as “CG”, began coaching with the Wahoos in 2021. She swam on Wahoos through high school and went on to swim in college at Randolph Macon. She finished her degree at the College of Charleston, graduating with a teaching degree in May 2025. Coach CG teaches 4k/CD with Charleston County School District. She loves to surf, wakeboard, and is a huge Taylor Swift fan.
Caroline Spence, Assistant Coach
Works with: HOOS 2, HOOS 3, HOOS 4
Coach Caroline attended the University of South Carolina where she swam butterfly and IM all four years for the Gamecocks (along with Coaches Ayris, AJ, and Bella). She holds a Masters degree from MUSC in Speech Language Pathology. She recently started her first job as a Pediatric SLP at Coastal Therapy Services. This will be Caroline’s 5th season coaching for the Wahoos and she can’t wait to get started!
