Head Coach Joe comes to us after nearly 14 years of swimming competitively at the summer, year round, and collegiate swimming level. He swam for Tsunami and Rays before competing for Randolph Macon for a couple of years.  He started coaching at the age of 14 when he became a volunteer assistant for the Massad Marlins in the Fredericksburg area and has been each summer since. Joe graduated from Stafford High School in 2018 and graduated with a degree in Communication Studies at Randolph Macon in 2022. His favorite stroke and event is the 200 Backstroke and during his freshman year at Macon he became conference champ in that event! Outside of swimming, you can find Joe watching whatever sports are in season or fishing. Cooking and grilling has also become a recent hobby. Joe is the lead coach for CAT 4 and CAT 5.

Nikki has been with the team for the last 15 years, 12 of those as a parent/BOD member and the last 3 years as the Director of Operations. She served as Treasurer and two terms as President in her time on the BOD. Before being a SAHM she was a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise for 10 years. Nikki is originally from Chesterfield County, went to Virginia Tech and has settled in Mechanicsville for the last 20 years with her husband, Bryan, two children Logan and Ansley and their two yellow labs Beamer and Molly. Her son Logan swam on the team for 12 years and is currently going to be a Senior at Roanoke College where he swims and is majoring in Exercise and Health Science. Her daughter Ansley is going to be a Sophomore at East Carolina University as a Sports Management major. Nikki is an avid Hokie fan as well as the San Francisco 49ers!

Coach Max is a 45-year veteran of coaching swimming and diving. After retiring from Sewanee (The University of the South ) as Head Swim/Dive coach and Aquatics Director for 30 years, he moved to Richmond to live closer to two of his adult children. His resume includes head coaching stints at ECU and Goucher College and 45 years as a summer league coach. Even though he had numerous All-Americans in the sport, Coach Max feels his most significant accomplishment is the number of children he taught to swim. Known as a “teaching coach,” he has helped countless swimmers refine and improve their technique and skill in racing. With an undergraduate degree in Psychology (Grinnell College) and a Master’s in Exercise and Sport Science (East Carolina), he is well equipped to teach both the psychology of sport and sound mechanics. He has served on the NCAA Rules Committee and has hosted numerous meets over the years. His mantra of “control what you can control in life, don’t worry about the rest” is translated in his upbeat and positive coaching style, and his proudest accomplishment (besides raising three children who all swam in college) is the number of student-athletes he remains friends with, decades after they graduated from his program. Coach Max enjoys daily exercise, music of all kinds, and his new love of pickleball. He will be the primary coach for the Cat 3 program but will assist all the staff in all aspects of the program.

Jack comes to Hanover from Charlotte, North Carolina, where he started swim lessons at two years old, learning to swim before he could run. After finding summer league at age 6, Jack discovered a family in the swim team that would foster a love for the sport, and competition. Jack swam for various club teams in Charlotte, and found a true home at SwimMAC Carolina, training alongside Olympians and other future D1 athletes. There, he won multiple team and individual junior national titles in the 100, 200, and 500 free.  After graduating from Myers Park High School, Jack swam at UVA for three years, specializing in mid distance freestyle, qualifying for Olympic Trials, and NCAA's twice.  After moving back to Charlotte, Jack discovered a love for coaching via his old summer league team, and has since moved to Richmond to finish his sociology degree. In his free time, Jack enjoys playing video games, and working on restoring his vintage moped. He is excited to assist with the CAT4's and 5's!

Coach Harrison brings years of coaching experience and a deep love for the sport. He began his career with Swim Atlanta in 2021, where he developed swimmers of all levels in one of the country’s most competitive programs. He also spent two seasons coaching summer league with the Waterton Waverunners in the Gwinnett County Swim League, gaining valuable experience in nurturing young swimmers in a fun and fast-paced environment. Most recently, Coach Harrison returned to his roots in Prattville, Alabama, where he coached with his hometown team, the Prattville Swim League — the same place where he began swimming at age 5. With a coaching style grounded in personal experience, technical skill, and a motivational approach, he brings a strong understanding of how to guide swimmers toward both improvement and a genuine love for the sport. A lifelong swimmer himself, Coach Harrison still competes in Masters meets. His favorite stroke is backstroke, but he’s especially passionate about the 50-meter freestyle— both racing and watching it. Coach Harrison holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management from Emmanuel University, where he also swam at the collegiate level. His coaching is shaped by a combination of high-level training, practical experience, and a sincere desire to help athletes grow.

Coach Liz is joining Hanover Aquatics to assist with all of our our age groups.  She started her swimming career at age 7 in Stafford, VA and transitioned to year-round swimming at age 10.  She swam for the Rays, Mountain View High School, and the University of Mary Washington.  Her coaching experience includes summer league, high school, the Rappahannock Area YMCA (RAYS), and the Stafford Area Aquatics Team (STAT).  When working with swimmers she focuses on building strong fundamentals, fostering team spirit, and helping swimmers reach their personal best.  Liz has a BA in Studio Art and an MBA from the University of Mary Washington.  She enjoys live music, visting and participating in art shows, and going for hikes with her two Shiba Inus named Bucky and Steve.  

Ashley brings with her 10 years of coaching experience, beginning with the CITY Swordfish summer league team in Charlottesville — the same team she grew up swimming with. Since then, she has coached swimmers of all ages, from 4-year-olds to adults. Most recently, she served as an assistant coach for the SwimRVA Rapids! Her love for swimming began in 2008, and by 2010 she was competing year-round with CYAC (now Cavalier Aquatics). Ashley swam through high school on both her club and varsity teams, graduating in 2017. Her favorite event? The 100 Butterfly. Ashley earned her undergraduate degree from UVA in Environmental Science with a specialization in Conservation and Restoration, and later completed her graduate studies at the VCU Brandcenter in Business & Branding, focusing on Creative Brand Management. Outside of the pool, she’s an artist and antiques picker, often found at local art markets and on the hunt for unique finds.

Ann Marie is a former Hanover Aquatics parent and board member.  She has continued to lend her talents to the team over the years volunteering at our hosted meets as an administrative official.  She is joining the staff to assist Nikki with the operations of the club.  Ann Marie and her husband Josh reside in Ashland with their three dogs.  They have two daughters, Alyssa and Colleen, who are both in college.