Paul Smith
Co-Head Coach
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Paul has been a lifetime
swimming enthusiast. From participating, to coaching, to
studying the sport, it captivates him and is a significant part of
his life.
Paul has a B.A. & M.A. in
Clinical Psychology with a Coaching Minor; was a World University
Games Gold Medalist and Record Holder in 1981; is a two time
Olympic Swimming Trials Qualifier; was an NCAA Swimming
All-American in 1980 and 1981; has been a two time USMS Master
Swimmer of the Year recipient; is a multiple USMS World and
National Record Holder; has been a USMS All Star 5 times; is
a 10 time USMS All American; and is the owner of Paul L. Smith
& Associates Sales & Consulting.
He is a very involved coach and
enjoys getting to know each team member as a swimmer, and as a
person.
Meg Zajdzinski
Coach
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Coach Meg grew up swimming in the original Mesa Aquatics Program. She is a Mesa , Arizona native who graduated from Westwood High School. Meg was Arizona High School State Champion in the 200 yard free style and runner-up in the 500 yard freestyle in 1987 and runner up in both events in 1988.
In college, Meg swam for Arizona State University , where she was named All American. She transferred to Colorado State University where she was All WAC (Western Athletic Conference) as well as team captain both her junior and senior years. During her time swimming at Colorado State she had many WAC championship and runner-up awards in her main events: the 200, 500 and 1650 freestyles. Meg graduated in 1994 with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies. After graduation, Meg began teaching high school in Mesa.
Meg's previous coaching experience includes coaching Age Group swimmers with Mesa Aquatics, Arizona Thunder Aquatics and the Arizona Swimming Gauchos. She is happy to return to her old stomping ground, and the new Mesa Aquatics Club at the newly renovated Kino Pool! Meg currently coaches the Squirts and the Rookies (or as she likes to call them: The Little Munchkins!) These groups are the new and novice swimmers as well as newly developed swimmers. She also helps out with the lil Mac's mainly in the area of stroke development. Coach Meg knows that correct stroke development from an early age is so important, and she is at her most comfortable being a part of the development process of her swimmers. Working with the little ones is fun as well, as she gets to see their smiling faces on deck and join in their enthusiasm. The kids are usually very eager to get in the pool, learn and have FUN And, Coach Meg makes it fun! She has a theme day for every day of swimming and she loves instilling a passion for fun, safe and fast swimming!
Coach Meg has been married to her husband, Chris, for 15 years and together they have four children ages 8,9,10, and 11. She home schools her children and all four of them currently swim for MAC. When she isn't busy with coaching or teaching or swimming herself (she recently joined MAC Masters), Coach Meg enjoys hiking, running, a good book (especially on the beach) and a good cup of coffee!
Jack Giles
Coach
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Jack joins our team with long history of coaching in Arizona. He graduated from Saguaro High school, where he swam for the Varsity Team. From there, he coached a summer Rec league at South Lake Tahoe, a team of 80 kids. When he came back to the valley he spent 13 years with the City of Scottsdale working as the summer team coach, team program coordinator and pool manager.
Jack graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon in 1983 with a BS in Psychology and Child Development. He was the Assistant Coach for the Marcos de Niza swim team for two years before moving to the Arcadia district where he coached Arcadia High School to 9 State Championships! Jack was the Aquatics Director at the Village Athletic Club for three years before returning to school to obtain his Law Degree from ASU.
He has always been a fan of swimming, a participant of swimming, and his passion and knowledge of the sport has led to the success of his swimmers.
Jake Smith
Mascot
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Jake isn’t really a
coach... he is more of a mascot. But a mascot that looks
very fetching in a swim suit! .png)
