Coaches and Directors
Lexie is so excited to be the new Head Coach for the Jax Swim Team! It is a full-circle moment for her and feels very special to her as she is one of our former swimmers! Lexie started swimming when she was 9 years old with the Union Swim Club here in Jackson (which then became the JAX Swim Team) and from then on, you couldn’t get her out of the water. Lexie loved everything about the sport, especially as she got older. Lexie graduated high school in 2016 and signed to swim at Campbellsville University in Kentucky. Her events were the 200 breaststroke and the 200 & 400 IM. Lexie swam all four years of college and graduated in 2020. Lexie then earned her Master’s degree in 2022. She is currently working as a school counselor with West TN Healthcare in Crockett Co. Lexie and her fiancé live here in Jackson with their two fur babies, Forrest & Tully.
"Swimming taught me so many skills, not only about swimming, but valuable life skills that made me who I am today. My goal for this team is to foster an environment where the swimmers can grow and improve not only as swimmers but also as humans." - Lexie Upton
Shelly Curtin came to Jackson Swim Team as a "swim mom" in April 2019 when her son Andrew joined the competitive team. Andrew swam for JAX for three years before leaving the team to play high school football. During Andrew's years with the team, Shelly served JAX in important volunteer roles. She joined the Jackson Swim Team Board in October 2020 and served as Board Secretary for two years. Shelly also volunteered to Chair the Annual Swim-A-Thon fundraiser for the past three years. Now, Shelly continues to expand her role with Jackson Swim Team, working behind-the-scenes as our Administrative Assistant.
Laura Wells grew up swimming in the Nashville area with Excel Aquatics and was an outstanding age group swimmer in the Southeastern LSC. Laura attended Vanderbilt University, where she earned a degree in psychology and secondary education. She also has a Master’s Degree in History (University of Alabama, Birmingham). At the time she attended Vanderbilt, they did not have a swim team, so Laura played club waterpolo instead. She also competed in several marathons during her twenties. Laura enjoyed success in that sport as well, placing 39th in the 2008 Boston Marathon. She recently won the Women's Division of the Andrew Jackson Half Marathon (2021 and 2022).
Laura coached a summer league team of almost 100 swimmers during college. Laura began coaching again when she moved to Jackson in 2014 with her husband Brandon. She started coaching for Union Swim Club, and moved to the Jackson Gators (a satellite program of Germantown Swim Team) in 2015. In 2016, Laura developed the Jackson Gators' swim lesson program. She became the Head Coach of the Jackson Gators in August, 2017. In December, 2017, the Jackson Gators became an independent swim team: Jackson Swim Team (JAX). Laura played an important role in helping form the new team. She served as the head coach of Jackson Swim Team until spring of 2019. After taking some time off to be a full time mom to her sons Cody (7) and Tyler (5), Laura returned as the JAX Program Administrator in 2021. In 2023, she continues as a JAX administrator (sharing responsibilities with Shelly Curtin) and is enjoying the arrival of her third son, Henry, born in July 2023.
Kim Hoeldtke has been coaching with the Jackson Swim Team since June of 2020. She did not start out as a swimmer, but she was a collegiate volleyball player. She started out as a swim mom. She sat in the bleachers for 12 years watching her children swim. All three of her children were swimmers, but now one of her children is in college and is no longer swimming competitively. The other two children continue to swim competitively and her children have qualified for SES Championships as well as High School Championships.
She started coaching to fill a gap for the team by completing the necessary certifications with USA swimming. She has enjoyed it immensely and continues to grow in her knowledge of swimming via USA Swimming and watching videos of other knowledgeable coaches.
I’m currently in school to be a surgical technologist. Although my education is in the medical field, I’ve always had a passion for the water. I grew up with a pool in my backyard which contributed to my love for the water, a common trait when growing up in Florida. I have a couple years of experience in childcare, including some as a swim instructor and I’m excited to continue growing with JAX Swim!
Ezekiel is a competitive swimmer for JAX with 13 years of experience to pass on. Since he could first get in the water he has been fully involved and has a love for the sport. He is a homeschooled Senior who is taking dual-enrollment at Union University. Still competing and learning more about swimming everyday, Ezekiel is enthusiastic about using his skills to better other swimmers and to pass on his knowledge to help others with the sport of swimming.
My name is Lainey Hays! I swam competitively for around a decade and loved it! I am excited to be on deck again whether it be for lessons or coaching. Swimming is a large passion in my life and I can't wait to be back in the sport in any capacity!
Jamie began competitive swimming at 11 years old and has been swimming ever since! During his first year, his coach awarded him Rookie of the Year, and soon after, he qualified for the Southeastern swim meet. Most recently, he qualified for the Tennessee State High School meet. Jamie’s enthusiasm for swimming has not slowed down, and he is excited to be teaching lessons and having fun with kids new to the sport! When not in the pool, he is outside, hanging out with friends or at the gym. He is appreciative for the opportunity to join the coaching staff of the Jackson Swim Team. Jamie is a homeschool junior.
Addie is a sophomore at Jackson Christian High school. She is involved in Student Council and several other service organizations with JCS. Addie has been a competitive swimmer for 6 years. She is passionate about Jax Swim Team and is excited to pass on her love of swimming to the younger members of the team.
