James "Jim" Smith - Head Coach, ASCA Level 4
Coach Jim's career spans over 30 years of club and high school coaching. Coach Jim holds an ASCA Level 4 Achievement and ASCA Level 5 Education certifications, placing him among the top 7% of coaches. Athletes under his tutelage have qualified to every major championship meet through USA-Swimming Olympic Trials. Athletes have continued their careers collegiately, and become NCAA All-Americans and NCAA Champions.
Coach Jim's philosophy is based on the pillars of Education, Participation and Graduation. Coach Jim uses a proven combination of solid aerobic base training with specific pace training to develop athletes to achieve both individual and team goals.
Coach Jim was previously the lead 13-14 year olds coach at Texas Ford Aquatics, Frisco, TX. At the 2021 short-course Texas Age-group State Championships (TAGS), 16 of 22 athletes qualified and the TFA 13-14 girls won their first-ever championship title. Eight athletes from this group would go on to achieve USA-Swimming Futures Championship standards, including one USA-Swimming Winter Jr National qualifier.
From 2008-2016, Coach Jim was head coach and later the owner of Riptides Racing Team, SC. During his tenure, Riptides Racing Team developed athletes who qualified to the highest levels of competition, including Olympic Trials! Despite a team of less than 50 athletes, Riptides Racing Team also earned two Bronze Medals for Club Excellence.
In 2020, Coach Jim was named among the Top-50 Age-group Coaches in the US by the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA).
Alex Crone - Age Group Coach
- Personal Training Certification and Background
- Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist
- Swim career began on a club level at age 12 and has included finals appearances at Y Nationals, Club and HS State Championship meets, and 3 years at a Division I level college.
- Level 2 U.S.A. Coaching Certification
- Level 2 A.S.C.A. Coaching Certification
Lauren Miller - Swim Lesson Coordinator (please contact Lauren for more information on lessons or to schedule a lesson)
Lauren has a long history in aquatics including competing herself as a high school and club swimmer as well as assistant coaching.
- Swam for Lakeside Swim Club from age 8-18
- Swam for North Oldham High School for all 4 years
- Assistant coach for Wolf Creek Swim Team (summer league) in 2016 and 2017
- Head coach for Southland Family Club (summer league) in 2018
- Swim lessons Instructor and Lifeguard at WKU Preston Center 2015-2017
- Started at Race in January of 2017
Mekaela Miller, Swim Lesson Instructor; Assistant Age Group Coach
Mekaela is a life-long swimmer. She swam for Glen Oaks as a child and Lakeside Swim Team for 8 years. Mekaela has been a lifeguard for 3 years, has given private swim lessons, and coached summer league for the Glen Oaks Swim Team.
