Coach Spano

Head Coach

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Coach Spano is a graduate of the University of Houston, with a BS in Kinesiology/Sports Administration and is ASCA Level II certified. He has been coaching swimming since 1999, and takes great pride in developing swimmers by not only emphasizing stroke development but also educating swimmers and parents in all aspects of the sport. "My goal is to help educate young athletes to  manage their lives both in and out of the water." 

Coach Spano has coached swimmers of all ages and abilities, including Gulf All Stars, TAGS, Sectionals, and Gulf Zones.  As an active coach within the Gulf, he was a 2009 Gulf Southern Zones coach and has been a Gulf Gold Medal Clinic volunteer coach with Olympic Medalists and World Record holders, Eric Vendt and Jason Lezak. He was also a volunteer coach for the Gulf USA Swimming "Swimposium" Clinic with Open Water World Champion Erica Rose. As a coach with the Southwest Houston Recreational Swim League, his teams sent multiple swimmers to All-Stars, achieved division championships and divisional sportsmanship awards. "The greatest feeling I have as a coach is to watch the reaction of a swimmer, as they get out of the water with a big smile, knowing they have just achieved a personal best."

Coach Spano and his wife Mary have been married since 1991.  We have 3 children who were all High School and USA swimmers, daughter Lauren swam for the University of Houston, Son Geoffrey was a Marine and Daughter Molly swims at Southwestern University. When he is not coaching, Coach Spano loves spending time with his family and friends, being outdoors, cooking on the grill and watching football (GO COOGS!! and GO TEXANS!)

Coach Mary Spano

Age Group Coach/Lesson Coordinator

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Coach Mary is a graduate of the University of Texas where she played for 5 years in the Longhorn Band, Hook 'em Horns!  She holds a BA in Psychology, with a minor in English, and is currently working on her masters degree through WGU. Coach Mary and her husband Greg are co-founders of Platinum Aquatics, a 501(c)3 non-profit member team of USA Swimming.  This is their passion project!  "My life-long love of the water drives my passion that every child should be safe in the water."  This passion has led to the development of the First Stroke Swim School.  

Coach Mary serves as Vice-President on the PLAT Board of Directors, she also serves as an Assistant Coach.  She has been coaching pre-competitive swimmers and learn to swim lessons since 2002. Coach Mary holds ASCA II certification and is ASCA III approved.  "I have had the pleasure to attend clinics and work closely with several Olympic swimmers including: Brendan Hanson, Jason Lezak,  Jessica Hardy, Tyler Clerry,  Josh Davis, RIcky Barrons, and Cammile Adams.  Prior to Olympic trials in 2016, I had the opportunity to attend a Pro-Series meet and see Olympians compete.  I also had the  opportunity to attend a training session of the 2016 Olympic swim team - SO COOL!! But my greatest love is to see our developing swimmers learn to love the sport!"

"Greg and I were married in 1991.  We have 3 wonderful children and 5 amazing grandchildren.  If you ask, I will be glad to share pictures!  In my spare time you can find me  at the pool coaching, working on a computer project, taking photos, reading a book, enjoying my Starbucks, and spending time with my family and friends!"

Coach Tawnya Roupe

Assistant Coach

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Coach Tawnya (Coach T) is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelors in Recreation and Park Management and a Masters in Education Administration from Concordia University in Austin.

Coach T started swimming when she was 10 years old and continued her swim career through high school.  "I was that kid that tried every sport until I found swimming, and it just "clicked." One of my favorite meets was attending the Texas Junior Olympic Swim Meet and getting the opportunity to be coached by Coach "Buddy" Amina who was a 1968 Olympic Swimmer.  Coach T started her coaching career during college, teaching learn-to-swim lessons, and has been a coach ever sicne.  Her goal is to be a "passionate leader who helps athletes develop their own love of swimming."

Coach T is married with three children. She is an elementary teacher and is currently the Varsity Head Coach for Salado High School.

Coach Lesleigh Reynolds

Assistant Coach

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Coach Lesleigh is a graduate of the University of Mary Hardin Baylor with a Bachelors of Science in Education.

Coach Lesleigh started her coaching career as a learn to swim instructor and a lifeguard in high school.  She is a former TISD and club swimmer and continues her passion for swimming through coaching and competing in Triathlons.  She is excited to “help swimmers develop a lifelong love of swimming,” and “loves to see swimmers accomplish things they thought they couldn’t.”  

Coach Lesleigh is married, with 3 children who love swimming at PLAT.  She and her husband own Ocean Quest Service (OQS), a local small business.  She Loves to swim, run and compete in triathlons. She is a full time teacher, specializing in reading instruction and Dyslexia intervention.