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Dayton Raiders Coaching Staff

The Dayton Raiders have one of the top coaching staffs in the Midwest.  They work hard to bring out the best in every child and each group has coaches for their special needs. Our coaches are highly educated with college degrees and many have or are working towards advanced degrees.  They have been recognized as Ohio Age Group Coach and Senior Coach of the Year eight times since 1990. The coaches are ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association) certified and attend national and international coaching clinics annually.

The Dayton Raiders emphasize a high level technique-based program for all groups.  Our groups are have more lane space and the best swimmer-to-coach ratio in the Miami Valley.  Swimmers are introduced to the latest and most effective techniques available in the sport of swimming today.  Practices are designed so that swimmers can learn in a stimulating environment.  Our age group swimmers (14-unders) are introduced to mastery of balance, core development, propulsion,  technique, starts, and turns.  These critical areas are further developed in the senior groups (15-overs) so that swimmers can achieve the highest level of performance at the high school and collegiate level.  Dayton Raider swimmers achieve some of the highest rates of continuous improvement over the career of swimmers found anywhere in the country today. The Raider coaches strongly feel that swimming is a long-term sport where development at the age group level greatly influences performance at the senior level.

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Reimbursement Policy for Travel, Equipment, etc


Kevin Weldon
Head Coach, CEO
kweldon@woh.rr.com
Kevin Weldon became the Head Coach of the Raiders in May, 1989 after working 4 years as Head Coach of the Sunkist Swim Team in Jackson, Mississippi. Prior to that, Kevin was an assistant coach of the University of Nebraska men's and women's swim teams. Kevin received a Bachelor's Degree from North Carolina State University, where he competed on the Wolfpack Swim Team. He received a Master's Degree in Sport Studies from the University of Nebraska.  Kevin is a Level 5 Swim Coach, which is the highest level of certification offered by the American Swim Coaches Association. Since Kevin's arrival, Raider swimmers have achieved junior and senior national level status, won state high school championships, and placed top-16 in state high school championships. Kevin has also coached swimmers to a 1990 world ranking, a 1993 American Record, and an 8th & 12th place finish at the 1996 Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, IN and an 8th place finish at the 2004 Olympic Trials in Long Beach (CA). Kevin was awarded Ohio Senior Coach of the Year in 2004, 2003, 2001, 1993, and 1991.  Kevin implements a strong conditioning program with strict attention to technique within the senior groups.  Kevin and his staff apply a monthly plan, season plan, 3-year cycle, and high school & collegiate career plan within the 7 levels of the Raiders that allow swimmers to reach full potential. In addition to team success, individual Raider swimmers maintain some of the highest continual improvement rates in the United States throughout each individual's career.  Coach Kevin has been gracefully honored with several coaching positions at national camps and at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs (CO) and is a member of the USA National Team Coaching Staff.  Kevin is the primary coach of the Gold and Silver groups and oversees all other groups.  Kevin resides in Beavercreek with his wife, Lana, and two children, Kylie and Mackenzie.
Brent Peaden
Head Age Group Coach
bpeaden@woh.rr.com
Brent Peaden became the Dayton Raiders Head Age Group Coach in September 1999 following three years (1996-1999) as the Raiders Senior Assistant. From 1989-1996, Brent was the Head Age Group Coach for the Wright-Patterson Flying Fish at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Brent has coached National Junior Qualifiers, National Age Group Top 16 swimmers, state record holders, Zone Qualifiers and record holders, and Ohio Junior Olympic State Champions. Brent has coached swimmers to more than 200 National "Top 16" times.  Brent also helped guide the Dayton Raiders Age Group program to an Ohio State Championship title in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008 - the only time a swim program outside of greater Cincinnati has won the state title. The former Ohio Age Group "Coach of the Year", Brent was also the Head Coach of the Ohio ZONE Team in 1999, helping Ohio win its only Central Zone Championship to date. Brent was also on the coaching staff  during the 2000 through 2008 Ohio Zone teams, and a member of the Ohio All-Star QUAD coaching staff in 2002.  Brent mixes creativity, enthusiasm, and innovative technique ideas into a comprehensive program that is both stimulating and challenging for swimmers.  Additionally, Brent was the head coach at Fairborn High School 1991-2001. Brent was also the Head Coach for the Wayne Swim Club in Huber Heights (OH) 1994-1999, winning two Miami Valley Swim Association (MVSA) titles after the team finished last in the league in 1993.  Brent began his swimming career in San Pedro, CA in 1979 and in 1983-1986, he swam at Torrejon AB, Spain in the European Forces Swim League (EFSL).  Brent is the primary coach of the Bronze and Blue groups, assists with the Silver group, and oversees the Red, White, and Mini groups.  Brent earned a BS in Human Factors Engineering from Wright State University and is employed by TYBRIN Corporation as a government contracted Business Integrated Systems Manager. Brent was married in 2000 to his wife, Ann, and had their first child, Connor, in Aug. 2003; they reside in Beavercreek (OH). Brent's favorite hobby is surf and deep sea fishing.
Manoj Abeysinghe
Assistant Senior Coach
Swimming Academy
mabeysin@sbcglobal.net
Coach Manoj began coaching in Dayton during the summer of 2004. He is currently the Assistant Senior Coach with the Dayton Raiders and is responsible for the second senior group. Manoj has swum competitively for 13 years: first at Royal College Sri Lanka for 9 years and at Otters Aquatic Club for 4 years until 1989. His coaching career started at The Otters Aquatic Club where he coached the senior team from 1989-1991. Prior to Dayton, his coaching assignment was at the Miami County YMCA north of Dayton, where he was an assistant coach for the Marlins Swim Team. In 2005 he was the visiting head coach of the Rainbow Aquatic Club in Sri Lanka and led them to 2 National Championships, 5 National Records and many National Champions in the summer of 2005. Coach Manoj has coached National Swimmers, National Top 16 Swimmers, State Record Holders, State Champions, Sri Lankan National Record Holders and Age Group Champions during his career. In addition to swimming, Coach Manoj has played Rugby Football, Track and Field and Cricket at national and international level competition. He took part in the Rugby 7s World Cup held in Hong Kong in 1987.  Coach Manoj and wife Laura have 4 children Andrew, Matthew, Dillon and Kyle. Andrew, Matthew and Dillon are currently competitive swimmers and Kyle just began with the Raiders this past winter. He enjoys cycling and canoeing in his spare time: whenever that happens. Coach Manoj is the primary coach of the Silver group and assists with the Gold, Bronze, and Blue groups.
John Matzen
Assistant Age Group Coach
New Swimmer Developmt
Aquadelmar45@yahoo.com
Coach John, a former All-American High School swimmer, joined the Raider staff in the fall of 2004.  John is coming off a successful Wright State University career where he was a part Horizon League Champion teams and record-setting relays is a sprint freestyler.  John is also a member of 200 & 400 Free Relay school & WSU Pool records.  John was a transfer from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in his Junior year.  At UNI, John was the most improved freshman and won MVP honors as a sophomore.  As an age group swimmer, John broke the YMCA state record in the 50 Back. Coach John's coaching resume is filled with experience. Coach John was a member of the Ohio All-Star Zone Staff in the summer of 2007. He also was the Head Coach for two summers for the Wayne Wahoos Swim Club in Huber Heights (OH), John also coached at the University Texas Swim Camp, the Meadow Dolphins in Orlando (FL), and club swimming for 3 years. John also coached the Chaminade Julienne Falcons H.S. Swim Team in 2004-2005.  Just ask any of his swimmers, and they will tell of all kinds of interesting stories and factoids about swimming and life in general that John has introduced to the groups. Coach John graduated from Wright State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and is teaching in the Dayton area. John is the primary coach for the Red, White, and Mini groups, and assists with all other groups.
 

Ann Brewer
Assistant Coach
Masters Lead
ABREWER5@woh.rr.com
Coach Ann joined the Raider program in the fall of 2006 after recently moving to the Dayton area from San Antonio, Texas where she was very involved in coaching for several years.  In 2005 and 2006, Ann was an Assistant Coach at Triple X where she gained valuable experience coaching year-round age group swimmers with a strong emphasis on technique and seasonal training plans. From 2003-2005, Ann was the Head Novice Team Coach of the large Alamo Area Aquatics Association (AAAA) program in San Antonio.  Her responsibilities were very dynamic as she was responsible for specific instruction of over 100 swimmers in proper technique in all four strokes, and introducing them to competitive swimming through novice meets. Her teachings also included emphasis on core strength and overall health, wellness, and nutrition education. Since 2001, Ann has also been coaching Masters and Triathlon programs in various head coach and assistant coaching roles in Texas and before that at Vacaville Swim Club in California.  Her most recent masters coaching stint was with the Master’s of South Texas (MOST) where she organized planned and conducted masters’ practices with responsibilities that include stroke technique, monitoring aerobic/anaerobic systems, and cross-training & nutritional consultation.  As a current Masters swimmer, Ann is an All-American and “Top 10” Nationally ranked swimmer in multiple events. Ann is the lead coach for the Dayton Raiders Masters Team, as well as assist with the Mini, White, Red, Blue, and Bronze groups.  Coach Ann has a BS in Health and Fitness & Education and is a USA Level 2 Certified Swim Coach. She has three children on the Raiders, Sarah, Thomas, and Madison.
Heather Moeller
Assistant Coach
hezmoeller@sbcglobal.net
Coach Heather is originally from Huber Heights, Ohio and began her career with the the Raiders in 2002.  For 6 summers Heather coached Wayne Swim Team in Huber Heights and she also swam 4 years for Wayne High School.  She formerly swam for the Dayton Raiders and Wright Patterson Flying Fish.  Coach Heather was a coach member of the 2005 Ohio All-Star Zone Team that traveled to Ann Arbor (MI).  Heather graduated from Miami University in 2001.  Coach Heather currently is employed by Unified Health Solutions as a Site Coordinator for After-School Programs in the Dayton area. In her free time, Heather plays rugby for the Dayton Area Rugby Club.   Heather assists with the Mini, White, Red, Blue, Bronze, and Silver groups.



 

Amy Cron
Assistant Coach
cron.4@wright.edu
Coach Amy comes to the Raiders in the fall of 2006 after a very successful campaign on the Wright State University swim team.  Before finishing her final year at WSU, Amy left her name behind in the team and Horizon League record books as a member of the 200 and 400 medley relays.  At her final Horizon League Championships in 2006, Amy led the WSU women’s team by winning gold in the 100 Fly and 100 Back, as well as silver in the 200 Back.  These titles earned her Women’s Team MVP in 2006.  Amy also earned the very special 2006 “Peggy Wynkoop Female Athlete of the Year” at WSU. In addition to Amy’s teaching swim lessons at WSU for the last 4 years, she also was an Assistant Coach for the St. Mary’s Seahawks (2 years) and the Fairborn Green Acres Sea Dragons (2  years). In high school, Amy was a 3-year YMCA National Qualifier and 2-year All Ohio at Memorial High School. Amy swam for the Auglaize-Mercer Family YMCA for 13 years before coming to WSU. Amy’s major is Childhood Education with concentration in Math and Science.  Amy is excited about being part of the Raider coaching staff and will work primarily with the Mini, White, and Red groups.
Geralyn Holty
Assistant Coach
gholty@sbcglobal.net
Coach "Geri" began coaching with the Raider staff in the fall of 2002.  Geri is originally from Chicago, IL, where she swam competitively for 16 years, including several seasons under American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) President John Leonard.  She competed nationally in the middle distance, long distance freestyle, 200 Fly, and 400 IM.  Previously, Geri has been an assistant coach for Memorial High School in Eau Claire, WI, University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, and the Watercats Swim Club in Marquette, MI.  Geri has a BS degree in sports management and is a licensed physical therapist assistant.  Currently, she is employed at Heartland of Beavercreek as a physical therapist assistant. Coach Geri lives in Huber Heights with her husband, Doug, and 2 children: Laura and Nathan.  Laura is presently a member of the Red group on the Raiders.  Coach Geri assists with the Silver, Bronze, and Blue groups.

 

Jenny Jenkins
Assistant Coach
Jmjenkins23@aol.com
Coach Jenny joined the coaching staff in the fall of 2005.  She began swimming at the age of 9 at the Beavercreek YMCA and joined the Dayton Raiders when she was 12.  Throughout her high school swimming career at Beavercreek High School, she was a 4-year varsity letterman, 4-year district qualifier and a 3-year state qualifier..  Jenny continued her swimming career at the College of Wooster for 4 years, where she specialized in backstroke and distance freestyle events.  While in college, Jenny had the opportunity to help host two NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships. Jenny coached for three years at Woodhaven Swim Club in Beavercreek, Ohio, leading them to 3 consecutive league championships.  In 2004, Jenny graduated from The College of Wooster with a degree in Communication Studies and is employed at The Ohio Periodontal and Dental Implant Center.  Coach Jenny works with the White, Red, Blue, and Bronze groups.

 

Rick Kroll
Assistant Coach
rick.kroll@sportssc.com
Coach Rick joined the Raider staff in the fall of 2005. His love of teaching and being involved has come from many years of technical training experience courtesy of the Air Force in both classroom and field environments and participation with other volunteer run organizations. Coach Rick is a retired military engineer and earned his BS in Electrical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and later his MS in Electrical Engineering right here at the Air Force Institute of Technology. Coach Rick became a USA Swimming Official a couple of years after his son joined the Raiders and is now an Ohio LSC Level 1-Referee and a National N2-Stroke and Turn judge. Rick and his wife Kim have three children: former Raider Nick, current Raider Jasmine, and Judith and works primarily with the Red group.



 

Beth Castilano
Assistant Coach
Fiddygrl54@yahoo.com

Coach Beth joined the Raider staff in the fall of 2006.  Beth began club swimming at age 6 and joined the Dayton Raiders at age 12.  Prior to club swimming, Beth swam for her summer team Black Oak (Centerville) Swim Club where she has been an Assistant Coach for three summers.  She has also assisted with many Dayton Raider Stroke clinics, and is currently a member of the Dayton Raiders Masters Team.  In 2006, Coach Beth returned as a 3-time Varsity swimmer for Centerville High School.  Beth’s successes in the pool include: Meet record holder, Ranked 10th nationally for long course relay team, Ohio Quad Team member, Ohio Zone Team Member, Senior meet finalist, Finished 2nd in the High GWOC League (100 Fly) and two time High School District Meet Qualifier.  Beth's favorite events include:  200 free, 100 fly and any relay –  anytime, anywhere.  Beth assists with the Red, White, and Mini groups.


Joni Williamson
Assistant Coach
joni.davidson@wright.edu
Coach Joni joined the Raider staff in the fall of 2006 shortly after joining the Wright State University Athletic Department as the Athletic Promotions Director. Joni brings a broad coaching resume as she was the Assistant Men's & Women's Coach at Ohio University in 2003 and 2004.  While at OU, Joni participated in all phases of coaching the NCAA Div I Bobcat program, including: directing workouts, swim meet management, on & off campus athlete recruitment, and dry land workouts. Joni's skills helped guide the Women's team to a 2nd place  finish at the 2004 Mid-American Conference Championships. Originally from Indianapolis, Joni swam for the Riviera (IN) Swim Club as an age group swimmer and later swam in college at the University of Evansville (IN), where she earned All-Conference honors for three straight years (2000, 2001, and 2002). While in Indianapolis, Coach Joni interned at the NCAA Membership Services, where she participated in interpretation of NCAA Div I, II, and III legislation. Before joining the Wright State Athletic Department, Joni was a Compliance Coordinator at Washington State University where she participated in NCAA eligibility and admissions requirements. Coach Joni has a BS in Elementary Education, and a Masters in Recreation and Sport Science with an emphasis in Coaching Education. Coach Joni works with the Gold group.
Katie Boyd
Assistant Coach
bydkt@yahoo.com
Coach Katie joined the Raider staff in the fall of 2007 after completing her swimming career at Brookville High School.  She began swimming with the Raiders at age eleven.  Katie is still very active at BHS, where she is Class President, active in many clubs, and a member of the Varsity Track and Field team.  This past season, Katie broke the school record in the Girls Discus event.  Katie also attends Sinclair Community College as a post-secondary education student, earning college credits simultaneously with high school credits.  Katie enjoys European travel with her family and participates in mission trips to Central America with her youth group at Christian Life Center each summer. Coach Katie's younger brother Jake and sister Emma also swim for the Dayton Raiders.  Katie plans to attend The Ohio State University to pursue a career in Secondary Mathematics Education upon completion of high school.  Katie assists with the Mini, White, and Red groups.
 

John Caudy
Assistant Coach
jcaudy@monroelocalschools.com
Coach John joined the Raider staff in the fall of 2004 after coaching for 25 years throughout southwest Ohio.  John coached at the Middletown YMCA, Countryside YMCA, and at Springboro YMCA.  In 2004, John was named winter coach of the year while at Springboro YMCA.  John has also been involved with summer league coaching.  He has coached for the Fairborn Sea Dragons and Monroe Dolphins.  He has also been the Head Coach for the Miamisburg Barracudas since 2000. Coach John graduated from Miami (OH) University with a BS in Mathematics Education.  He currently teaches in the Monroe School District.  John and his wife, Amy, have three children (Laurie, Beka, and Robbie).  Laurie and Robbie are members of the Dayton Raiders.  John assists with the Gold, Silver, and Bronze groups.


 

Clarissa Wentworth
Assistant Coach
clarrissawentworth@gmail.com

Coach Clarissa joined that staff in the fall of 2007. Clarissa is a former Raider and Beavercreek High School graduate (2003). As a  Raider, she set the 100 and 200 freestyle records. At Beavercreek High School, she led the team as captain for three years, MVP for two years, and has the 100 and 200 freestyle records, taking top 8 honors at the State meet her senior year. Clarissa is coming off a successful Indiana University career. At IU, Clarissa was the most improved freshman of the year and three time NCAA qualifier, as well as a IU school record-holder in the 200 Free.  As captain her senior year, she was part of the 2007 Big Ten Championship team. She is a three time honorable mention All-American and is a member of the 400 freestyle relay record breaking team. She also received the Scholastic Achievement Award her junior and senior year that recognizes the athlete with the highest GPA on each athletic team.  She graduated from IU in May of 2007 with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. She is attending University of Cincinnati for her Master’s in Social Work. Coach Clarissa enjoys cheering on her Hoosiers, as well as writing letters to friends, organizing, and cleaning with top of the line productsJ.


Dana Tingley
Assistant Coach
Dana.tingley@sunh.com
Coach Dana began her coaching career with the Dayton Raiders in the Fall of 2007 after 2 ½ years as strictly a “swim mom”.  Dana has been swimming since she was young, and taught swimming and lifeguarding throughout her high school and college years at Springfield YMCA and Ohio University.  She was also very involved in Adapted Aquatics and volunteered with adults and youth with disabilities in Springfield and Athens, Ohio.  She has her Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders and is licensed as a Speech-Language Pathologist.  She is employed by Harborside Health Care as a Corporate Director of Rehabilitation Training and Product Development.  Ironically, Coach Dana’s boss swam in the 1968 Olympics.  Coach Dana lives in Yellow Springs with her husband, Tom.  She has 2 daughters; Anna who is 8 – currently in the Red Group and Racheal who is 6 – takes dance lessons, and hopes to be a Raider soon.   

 


Lieneke Keihl
Assistant Coach
lieneke@woh.rr.com

Coach Lieneke Keihl joined us in the fall of 2007 assisting with the Mini and White groups.  Coach Keihl has over 30 years of aquatic background as an Instructor and Instructor Trainer for the American Red Cross.  She is currently an adjunct Instructor for Wright State University, University of Dayton and Sinclair Community College.  Lieneke is also the Instructor support specialist at the Northern Miami Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross in Troy OH where she ensures that their instructors in CPR/AED/First Aid, Lifeguarding and Water Safety are up to date and teaching to the high standards of the ARC.  She has been a technical consultant in local and state Lifeguard competitions for the last 6 years.   Lieneke is a Level 3-R judge in the sport of Synchronized Swimming since 1985 and has been a competitor in the Masters division of Synchronized Swimming since 1978 with the Dayton Synchronettes:  competing the last 2 years in a trio event with two of her daughters Sarah Lydia and Laura who both currently live in Orlando FL.  Her third daughter Rachael lives in Knoxville TN and is an Aquatic Director at several YMCA’s. Lieneke is also the Secretary for the Ohio SS Association and has held that position since the late 80’s.   Lieneke was a former coach of the Dayton Aquanymphs which disbanded in 1996 but was a highly competitive synchro team since the late 1950’s.  The age group team will be rejoining the synchro world late October 2007 as the Dayton YMCA AquaGems. Lieneke has recently been seen practicing with the Dayton Raiders Masters group and trying to mesh the two swimming styles into one:  trying to eliminate all that glide and not pointing her toes too much! When not working those 4 jobs, she helps with her husbands business, the Appliance Doctor as well as reading, camping and just recently purchased 2 kayaks where once again, she’s in the water!


Jessica Weidert
Assistant Coach
weidert.2@wright.edu

Jessica Weidert joined the Raider staff in the spring of 2008 following a stellar career on the Wright State University Women’s Swim team where she balanced her 4.0 GPA with several athletic highlights which include an NCAA qualification, Horizon League conference titles, and breaking the Horizon League record in the 200 Breast.  The former Peggy Wynkoop WSU Female Athlete of the Year and WSU Female Student-Athlete of the Year, Jessica was the team MVP for three years and also a 2-year team captain that set three pool records at WSU during her career. At her final conference championships in 2008, Jessica left it all in the pool en route to netting 3 league titles and setting conference records in all three (200IM, 400IM, and 200 Breast), earning her 2008 Horizon League Swimmer of the Meet, and later 2008 Women Athlete of the Year. Jessica, who is a former YMCA National finalist and High School valedictorian while growing up in Spokane, WA, remains involved in various activities including serving as representative for the college Student Athlete Advisory Council and working as an Adaptive Recreation swim Coach at WSU. Jessica is working towards a Masters of Education while being a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  Jessica assists primarily with the Mini, White, and Red groups.




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