Coaches & Directors

Steven A Phillips

Head Coach

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Coach Phillips comes to VAST after four seasons at Clemson University, where he increased his experience of coaching as he coached sprinters, strokers, and distance swimmers during his tenure.  While at Clemson he coached two ACC Champions and three NCAA qualifiers.  Prior to attending Clemson, Coach Phillips spent time at West Virginia University (WVU).  During his time at WVU he coached one NCAA qualifier, one world record holder, and two Olympic qualifiers.

Coach Phillips stayed active in the community as a four-year swimming letterman for the West Virginia University Mountaineers. He was a two-time team captain and a Big-East finalist, as well as a member of the Academic All-Star Team four times. Phillips earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and attained a Master’s in Athletic Coaching and Education, both from WVU.  Another accomplishment that he is proud of is his volunteer work with the Special Olympics.

Coach Phillips resides with his wife Jennifer, an Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at James Madison University, and their daughter Skylar who was born in January 2007.

Theresa DeCoursey

Assistant Coach

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Hello,  I am Theresa DeCoursey and I am returning in my second year with VAST.  Currently a senior attending James Madison University, I major in Biology and minor in secondary education.  Coming from New Jersey, I have participated in many sports including baseball, track, basketball, tennis and swimming, which has been my main focus for over 16 years!  In high school I was captain of my varsity team, for which I lettered all 4 years, and became part of the state championship swim team.  I am currently an exec member of the JMU club swim team, as well as president of the NSTA organization for JMU.  I am very eager and excited to be back again with VAST!

Clay Downey

Assistant Coach

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I am from Richmond, Va where I swam for NOVA for 12 years.  I am a Junior Marketing Major at JMU, and swam for JMU swim team during their final season.  I like to fish, be outside, and Summers.

Clare Flach

Assistant Coach

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Molly McHarg

Assistant Coach

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I am senior at JMU, finishing up a degree in Mathematics and working towards a masters in Elementary Education. I have been swimming since I was about 5 years old, and participated in both summer league and high school swimming at home in Fairfax Station, Virginia. I was also a summer league coach for the Crosspointe Cruisers for the past four years, working with all ages of swimmers. I am also currently the president of the JMU club swim team. I am happy to be back this year coaching for VAST, where I started as a coach last December!

Jonny Kibler

Assistant Coach

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My name is Jonny Kibler and I am a junior at James Madison University.  I am currently a health studies major with a pre-physical therapy concentration; however, I am also planning on taking prerequisites for psychology.  I started swimming when I was 4 years old for a summer league team, and started year round for a club team when I was 8.  I went to high school in Greene County (which is about 45 minutes from Harrisonburg), where I played football, basketball, and swam! I then followed my swimming career to JMU where I competed as a freshman until our team was cut by the university.  This summer, I will be entering my third year as an assistant coach for the Green Hills Gators swim team where I work with kids of all ages.  I am currently in my first year as a coach with VAST! I love visiting home to do some fishing and four-wheeling, and to spend time with my parents and 3 older brothers.  I love all sports, music, friends, and anything outdoors.  I also hope to continue a coaching career in the future.

Haley Pack

Assistant Coach

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Hello, my name is Haley Pack :) I joined the East Rockingham Recreation Association swim team when I was six years old and fell in love with swimming. The next year, when I was seven, I joined VAST and swam for the year round team as well as ERRA and the Spotswood High School swim team until I graduated in 2007. Now I live in Charlottesville and attend UVA where I plan on majoring in Economics and Environmental Science. When I’m not doing school-work, I enjoy anything outside, especially water-sports. (swimming, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, going to the beach! ) I also like spending time with my friends and my four older sisters..as well as my parents, niece, and nephew :).

Justin Parker

Assistant Coach

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I am a student at JMU studing Exercise Science.  I have been swimming for 14 years where I finished my carrer swimming JMU's Varsity swimteam and South Carolina's swim team as well.

Chris Pickerell

Assistant Coach

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5 Years ago I moved from South Africa along with my family. We moved to Memphis, Tennessee where I joined a triathlon/swim team called Memphis Thunder Racing. In South Africa I had been racing Mountain Bikes since I was 10 and swimming competitively since I was 6. I ran cross country and track in high school. Since then I have put my main focus toward the triathlon circuit. So far I have been invited to represent the United States at the off road triathlon World Championships and taken a national title at the off road USA Championships in 2007. I have also taken the regional title 4 years running as well as awarded All American twice.
    Currently I am a scholarship student and athlete at Lees McRae College in the mountains of Banner Elk, North Carolina. I race bicycles for the schools division 1 cycling team where I race 4 disciplines through out the year. I compete in Road, Cyclocross, Mountain Bike, and Downhill events. I use the skills I learn from the cycling team to improve my training and technical skills for triathlons. As a student I am studying Biology, so that I can hopefully one day become a Dentist. 

ASHLEIGH RAY

Assistant Coach

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Hello my name is Ashleigh Ray; swimming has always been the center of my life. Before graduation I swam for 13 years! I first started swimming on the Broadway Sharks swim team when I was 5 then began swimming for VAST when I was in the 4th grade. I graduated from Broadway High School in 2008 where I also swim for their High School swim team. I started assistants coaching for the Broadway Sharks when I was 15 and I enjoy every minute of it. When I am not spending my time around a pool deck I enjoy spending my time with family and friends. I am a first year student at The RMH School of Radiologic Technology and a freshmen at Blueridge Community College. I plan to farther my education in the field of Radiology at The University of Virginia.

Casey Smith

Assistant Coach

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Hello all! I am Casey Smith, a second-year assistant coach with VAST. I am a junior at James Madison University, double majoring in Communication Studies, concentration in Public Relations, and Media Arts and Design, concentration in Print Journalism. I started swimming when I was 7 years old for my summer league team, the Glendale Gators, located in Newport News, Va. I continued swimming for 12 years, including the four years I swam for Menchville High School. I attended the State Championship all four years, was a captain my senior year, and was awarded the Outstanding Senior award. I started coaching for Glendale as an assistant coach when I was 17 and became a head coach this past summer. I love working with kids and all other aspects of swimming and hope to coach for a few more years before entering the "real world." Aside from swimming, I enjoy writing and painting, playing with my two dogs, Sammie and Pennie, playing volleyball and football, and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers! I'm very excited to be a part of VAST again this year!