Waukesha Express Swim Team : Coaches & Directors

» Blaine Carlson - CEO/Head Coach email Blaine came to the Waukesha Express Swim Team in 1994 after graduating from The University of Wisconsin – Madison with a degree in Political Science and History. As a swimmer, Blaine was a four-time University of Wisconsin – Madison school record holder and was a team captain. While at Madison, Blaine was a finalist in the Big Ten Conference as well as at the US National Meet. In 1990, he was a two time silver medalist at the United States Olympic Festival, and went on to be ranked in the top 25 in America and top 60 in the World. Blaine has taken the experiences that he learned as an age group, senior, and collegiate swimmer and has applied them to his coaching style. In the last fifteen years of coaching, swimmers under Blaine’s guidance have gone on to have swims ranked in the Top 16 in the nation, have had swims ranked in the top 100 of all-time in United States Swimming, qualified for Olympic Trials, and broken 7 National Records. Swimmers in the last 15 years have set state records, finished in the top 8 at the national level, been High School All-Americans, and have gone on to earn college swimming scholarships. Just this year, Blaine received the American Swimming Coaches Association Award of Excellence and guided eight swimmers to Olympic Trial Qualifying times. Blaine is committed to developing the swimmers to reach their maximum potential, while doing what is best for each individual. He strongly believes in the values that swimming can instill in young people. It is important that kids today learn more than just how to swim fast in our program.

» Michael Hamm - Head Age Group Coach/SR.2 & Gold Coach email A Waukesha native, Michael graduated from Waukesha West in 2002. He began his swimming career with Express in 1993. After high school, Michael attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he competed for the university's swim team. As a four-year member of university's swim team, he was a finalist at the Big Ten Championships, as well as a two-time captain. After his swimming career, Michael joined Express for a summer in a part time coaching position. In his fifth-year of college, Michael was a volunteer coach with the university and graduated with a degree in Philosophy (2006). As a coach, Michael draws from personal experience and what he has learned from other coaches he has worked with. Michael not only has the desire to help his athletes become the best swimmers possible, but also to teach them that what they learn in the pool can be applied to life outside the pool. Michael has guided numerous swimmers to State Records, Jr. National Qualifying times, and had one swimmer qualify for the 2008 Olympic Trials.

» Bill Boldon - Head Development Coach/Age Group Coach email Bill began swimming at the age of eight in Madison, Wisconsin, with the Badger Dolphin Swim Club. In high school at Madison West, Bill was a two-time WIAA State Champion, and was a member of a state record setting 400 freestyle relay. While attending the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, Bill received NAIA All-American honors in the 50 freestyle. Bill received a B.S. in Phy. Ed., Health, and Coaching from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Currently, Bill is the lead Silver Group Coach for the Waukesha Express. Bill is also working to develop the philosophy and direction of the age group programs for the Express. Much of the current success of our age group program can be directly attributed to Bill’s hard work and commitment. Not only does Bill spend a large amount of time working with the swimmers in our silver group, but he also commits a lot of time talking with the parents about competitive swimming.

» Dave Melville - Gold Group email Dave has over 26 years of experience in swimming and coaching. He began his career with the Waukesha Swim Club, and stayed with the club throughout his high school career. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a swimming scholarship where he compiled an impressive list of accomplishments. Some of these include numerous state, collegiate, and national records. He is a U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in multiple events, and was ranked 26^th in the World in the 400 I.M. As a coach, Dave has held both head and head assistant coaching positions. He has coached multiple age group state champions. Dave is in sales, married to Sandi, and has two sons, Tyler and J.J. Dave’s enthusiastic demeanor is a great attribute to our team.

» Samantha Brovelli - Silver, Bronze and Ribbons Groups email Samm is starting her fourth year coaching with the Waukesha Express Swim Team. Samm has been involved with the Express Swim Team since she was 11 years old. She was a high school team captain and school record holder at Waukesha South High School during her high school career. Samm is continuing her swimming career at Carroll University where she is majoring in Physical Therapy.

» Jennifer C Warmington - Senior Coach/Communications Director email Jennifer began swimming for Express in 2000, and graduated from Brookfield Academy in 2002. She was a Jr. National Qualifier, finaled at the Speedo Champion Series Meet, and was a High School State Champion. After high school, Jennifer went on to swim for the University of Minnesota for four years where she finished in the top 25 at the Big Ten Championships and was a varsity letter winner. She graduated in 2006 with a degree in Public Relations and then attended the University of Florida for graduate school. While in Florida , Jennifer competed in many open water events across the state. In May 2009, Jennifer graduated from the University of Florida with a Master of Arts in Mass Communication. Jennifer will be working with the Senior 1, 2, and Team swimmers. She is excited to return to Express and is looking forward to helping swimmers reach their full potential.

» Autumn Kappes - SwimAmerica Program Director email Autumn began working part-time as the SwimAmerica Program Director in January of 2003, and full-time in July of 2003. Autumn has an extensive background in aquatics both as a swimmer, and as a teacher and director. Autumn swam competitively at Oconomowoc High School from 1990 – 1994. Before coming to the SwimAmerica Program, Autumn worked in the aquatics program at the Oconomowoc YMCA, Swimtastic, and at All-American Aquatics. She was also the pool director from 1999 – 2002 at the Western Racquet Club. Autumn graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1999 with a teaching degree (preschool – 6^th grade), and taught 6^th grade for four years at St. Martin of Tours before taking over the SwimAmerica program at Express. As the SwimAmerica Program Director, Autumn is excited to be a part of developing the future of competitive swimming and watching children grow. She is dedicated to developing and directing the SwimAmerica staff, and takes pride in their knowledge of swimming and teaching abilities. Autumn is also the Head Coach of the Waukesha West High School Girls and Boys swim teams.

» Kim Boldon - Silver, Bronze and Ribbons Groups email Kim has been involved with Express swimming since 1995. First as a parent of swimmers (Kyle and Michelle), then as a coach (1999-2002), and a Masters swimmer. She returns to coaching after several years off and will again be working with the Ribbons and Bronze swimmers. During her time away from swimming, she became involved in running and participated in marathons, triathlons and duathlons. She is currently pursuing a personal trainer certification. When not at the pool Kim, is a Social Worker for Waukesha County. Kim is excited to help the development of the Ribbons and Bronze swimmers both in the pool and out.

» Lorin Kelly - Silver, Bronze and Ribbons Groups email Lorin graduated from Janesville Parker in 2006, and loves working with kids and has the energy and devotion to help them succeed in their goals. She is a senior at Carroll University majoring in Physical and Health Education with a minor in Adaptive Education. Though Lorin has not swam competitively in a long time, she has taught swim lessons through the Janesville School District for three summers during high school and has been involved in teaching private lessons in the summers during college along with lifeguarding. This is her fourth and final year playing on the softball team at Carroll University. Lorin is very excited to be able to work with and be part of such a talented group of kids with the Waukesha Express Swim Team.

» Eric Dobbeck - Silver, Bronze and Ribbons Groups email Eric has been involved with Waukesha Express for nearly nine years. He first joined the team in 2000 at the age of 12. At age 15, Eric competed at the state level winning the 100 yard breaststroke. He went on to swim in high school at Waukesha West, graduating in 2007. Throughout high school, Eric worked for SwimAmerica as an instructor. Continuing his swimming career, he swam for Carroll University and in 2008 became a coach for Express. Eric is currently finishing his degree in Exercise Science in hopes of becoming a Physical Therapist.

» Tim Boylan - Silver and Gold Groups email Tim has been involved with Express since March of 2009. He swam competitively in Illinois for 11 years and qualified for the Junior Olympics and Senior Championship meets. Tim competed in varsity swimming in high school for three years and was All-Conference in several events. Tim swam for Carroll University and qualified for finals at the Midwest Conference meet. Tim is currently in his third year at Carroll and is pursuing an Education degree (K-8^th grade). Tim is working with the Gold and Silver swimmers. He is very excited to be at Express and looks forward to helping swimmers reach their potential.