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.
Laura Smith
Co-Head Coach
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Laura Smith is an Arizona native with a life long passion for
athletics. She attended Coronado High School, where her
achievements included multiple State Records in swimming, State
Record in the 800 (Track), Varsity Letterman in Track, Swimming and
Cross Country, National Honor Society, President Spanish
National Society, and Arizona Scholar Athlete of the year 1984.
Laura turned down Academic Full Ride Scholarships to A.S.U.; U of
A; and N.A.U. and decided to attend college out of state. She
was a Division I Backstroker for University of California, Santa
Barbara where she double majored in Comparative Religions and
Exercise Science with a Coaching Minor.
Laura worked abroad for 4 ½
years
in the Bahamas, West Indies, Dominican Republic and Mexico
designing and implementing sports and fitness programs for both
children and adults. Post Graduate, Laura has acquired
over 12 National Certifications in the Health and Fitness Industry
(A.C.E.; A.F.F.A.; Cooper Institute) and was the Fitness Director /
Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Vail Athletic Club and the
Arrowhead Alpine Club in Colorado. She is a three time USMS
National Champion and was a part of the 800 Women’s Relay
National Record team.
Laura and her husband Paul are the Head Masters Coaches and
Co-Directors of Mesa Aquatics Club. She currently holds a
Level llI ASCA Certification, USMS Level II Certification, and
works with our age groupers on deck and all ages running MAC's
dryland program.
Carly O'Casey Harten
Coach
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Carly has been in and around the water most of her life, from
swimming as soon as she could walk to lifeguarding and teaching
water safety to kids most summers growing up. She grew up in
Cincinnati, Ohio and first found competitive swimming at the age of
8. She competed with club teams until high school, and then
exclusively swam for her varsity high school team all 4 years,
making multiple trips to the Ohio state meet. She attended Hamilton
College in upstate New York and double majored in Mathematics and
Chinese. While at Hamilton, she swam all four years, specializing
in mid-distance free events like the 200 and 500 freestyle. After
taking a break from swimming post graduation, she moved to Arizona
in 2019 and quickly found a home at MAC. She loves teaching stroke
technique and helping each person achieve their fitness goals
through swimming.
