Coach Pizarro started recreational swimming when she was 9 yrs old and competitive once she was in middle school. She swam for the Bayamon Swimming Club, now called CABAY. Once she was transitioning to college, Coach Pizarro swam for the University of Puerto Rico. Her favorite stroke was butterfly and her best and biggest challenge was the 200 fly event. She loved sprint events as well.
She began her coaching career teaching swim lessons, and later on, coaching in the state of Kansas and Louisiana. Once her family moved to Florida, she began coaching the Lake Wales High School Swim and Dive team. During her 1st year with the LWHS swim team she identified the need for that town to have an all year around swim club. That is how she started this club. With the help of the Lake Wales YMCA and an amazing group of parents, this dream became a reality.
The Lake Wales Blue Marlins, now Blue Marlins Aquatic Club started with 4 swimmers, slowly increasing to 8, then 11 athletes. Now BMAC has over 40 swimmers registered and practicing on a regular basis. The team has also opened its doors to Master swimmers, starting the BMAC Master group.
Coach Pizarro's philosophy goes above swimming fast. She believes in teaching life skills helping her athletes grow as individuals and future professionals. She loves to learn from other coaches and enjoys every opportunity she has to shadow Olympic Coaches and Swimmers, like Ray Looze, Lilly King, Cody Miller, and others.
Tisha Warrick
Assistant Coach- White Marlins
Coach Warrick has been involved in swimming for about 8 years with her daughter Ady. When Ady was a first grader her friend asked her to join the swim team. She had always loved the water, so they decided to give it a try. From that moment, they were hooked and enjoying every minute of their swimming life.
During her many days and hours on the pool deck, Mrs.Warrick was immediately asked to help and had many roles throughout the years. She did everything from administrative duties to working the concession stand, etc. After a few years, she started working on the board as Secretary, on to Treasurer and finally Vice President before her family moved to Florida.
Coach Warrick also helped coach the summer swim team and helped coach the High School Varsity team for a short period of time. Being on deck all the time led her to quit her job as a Preschool Teacher. Coach Warrick took her certifications for Lifeguarding and became the new Assistant Swim Teacher at her daughters school. She was also the Lifeguard for grades 1-6. When they moved to Florida, they couldn't wait to find a team and get back in the pool.
It was then that Mrs. Warrick and her family joined the Lake Wales Blue Marlins. Spending about a year with the team and showing her interest in coaching and teaching our younger swimmers, Mrs. Warrick took all the certifications necessary to become a coach. Her love for swimming and our athletes is amazing! Her favorite part of coaching is forming a relationship with my swimmers and watching them succeed in their own personal ways.
David VanGundy
Assistant Coach- Silver Marlins
Coach VanGundy was an Umpire for 18 yrs and coached youth soccer for 5. It was around 2019 when his oldest daughter join the Blue Marlins, that his interest for swimming began. He devoted his time to observe her practices and learn as much as possible, to understand what Isabella was doing. It was during a practice, that Coach Pizarro approached him and asked if he would be wanting to help. He shadowed for a while and continue learning and watching videos, and in 2021 accepted the Assistant Coaching position to help Coach Pizarro with the Lake Wales High School Swim Team.
His love for the sport grew even more, motiviating him to start all the certifications to become a USA Swimming Coach. As a USA Swimming Coach, Coach VanGundy continues to volunteer his time with the Blue Marlins helping our swimmers be better each day. When asked what his goals as a coach are, Coach VanGundy stated "To see the swimmers reach their personal and swimming goals. I also want to see them have fun while they are swimming." He also looks for perseverance and good attitude in
his swimmers.
Yessenia Astor
Assistant Coach- White & Blue Marlins
Yessenia Astor is the mother of two amazing kiddos that love the sport of swimming. Through their love of swimming, Yessenia grew to not only love seeing them swim, but also to learn more about the technique and proper execution of the strokes. Coach Yessie as our little ones call her, is dedicating her time to help our White & Blue Marlins learn the basics of swimming, especially how fun it is to be in the water.
Coach Yessie was always the team mom. She loves helping the kids become better athletes and grow their love for what their doing. She sees swimming as the opportunity children have to become stronger both physically and mentally through the challenges that this sport presents through the everday training and competition.
Javier Cabrera
Assistant Coach- Masters Group
Email: [email protected]
Coach Javier began his swimming career at age eleven with the Loyola Swimming Club, later transferring to Bayamon Swimming Club. His favorite events were the 400FR, 800FR, and 1500FR. He always enjoyed swimming long course distance events.
After graduating high school, Coach Javier put a stop to his swimming career until his 1st duty station with the US Army, where he was teaching some soldiers the proper swimming technique and survival water skills. In 2019, he started coaching for the Lake Wales Blue Marlins. He has stayed on top of the sports for years and now is using his experience and knowledge to help our younger Marlins.
Coach Javier's philosophy is to increase the knowledge of water safety while teaching his swimmers the proper technique. He also believes in teaching our young Marlins that no matter how hard things can be at the beginning; all they have to do is try!
