Coaches and Directors
Name: Mike Davidson
Education: Cleveland State University (1987-1992) & North Olmsted HS 1987
Date Started with Canton City Schools Swim Team CCS: October 2017
Number Years Coaching: 1987-88, 1992-present
Previous Experience: Lake Aquatics Assistant Coach (1987-88), Westerville South HS Assistant (1992-1993), Little Turtle CC Head Coach (1992-1995), Thomas Worthington HS & Worthington Killbourne HS Assistant Coach (1993-1995), Worthington Swim Club National Team Coach (1993-1995), Cleveland State University Assistant Men & Woman Coach (1995-1998), Cleveland Aquatic Team Owner/Head Coach (1996-1998), Penn State University Assistant Men & Woman Coach (1998-2002), Solon STARS Swim Club Head Coach (2002-2017).
Professional Experience: Was a part of 1 MCC Championship at CSU (men’s), 2 Big TEN Championships at PSU (1 Men 1998 & 1 Woman 2002). Also helped in the men moving up to 15th at 2002 NCAA and the woman 13th at 2002 NCAA
Coached numerous NCAA Division 1 All Americans, Olympic Trials Qualifiers, USA Senior National, USA Junior National, NCSA & Futures Qualifiers, Ohio HS State Champions and Runner-ups, High School All Americans and USA Sectional Qualifiers.
I was a USA National Junior Team Camp Assistant Manager 2008, while also serving on numerous USA Select Camp staffs as an assistant coach and Manager.
ASCA Level: 5
Name: Russ Hunt
Education: Kenyon College, 2004 & Upper Arlington High School, 2000
Date Started with Canton City Schools Swim Team CCS: 2014
Number Years Coaching: 2006-Current (5th season as Head Coach of Malone University)
Awards: As a Collegiate Swimmer Russ was a 17-time All-American, 10 time national relay and individual champion he was also the 2003 NCAA Division III National Champion 100 yard backstroke he was also a member of the 2004, 400 Medley Relay team that broke the National Record at Kenyon College. As a coach Russ was the 2018 GMAC Men's Coach of the Year. Russ has overseen 30+ NCAA “B” cuts, 50+ school record swims, a second place finish in the GMAC conference, and the program’s first qualifier to the NCAA championships.
Experience: Head Coach Malone University NCAA Division 2 2014-present, Assistant Coach Ohio Northern University, Head Coach Marshall University, and Assistant Coach Colgate University.
Coach Russ is a Upper Arlington, Ohio native and a proud representative of swimming in Stark and Summit Counties. Russ resides in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and serves as an adjunct professor in Malone’s sports management department.
Name: Sarah Mally
Education: Malone University – Class of 2018 & Benjamin Logan High School – Class of 2014
Date Started with Canton City Schools Swim Team CCS: 2017
Number of Years Coaching: 2014 - present
Coaching Experience:
-Canton City Schools Swim Team: 2017 -2018 Winter Season & 2018 Summer Season
-B.E.S.T Summer Swim Team (Bellefontaine, OH): 2014 & 2015
Swimming Experience:
-Malone University Swim Team: 2014 – 2018
-Benjamin Logan High School Varsity Swim Team: 2012 – 2014
-YMCA Age Group Program: 2006 – 2014
Name: Ronald E. Walker
Education: University of Akron-BFA in Graphic Design, 1983 & Glen Oak High School, 1978
Date Started with Canton City Schools Swim Team CCS: 2009
Number of Years Coaching: 1989-Present
Coaching Experience: Lake O’Pines swim team and Catholic Youth Council, (CYC), Aquatic Director at the Citi Center Athletic Club in downtown Akron, 1998 he returned to the CYC as Aquatic Director and Head Coach and 2009 CCS - present
Award: 2016 Recipient of the George Harvey Service Award-Greater Canton Aquatics Association
Coach Ron teaches in the Elementary School Program for CCSD. He is also a Red Cross Instructor certifies lifeguards. He is also a Security Director for the Ohio High School Athletic Association, (OHSAA), state swim meet.
Ron’s philosophy: in teaching as well as coaching is that everyone, especially children, need to be successful at something. Hopefully the confidence they gain through swimming will influence other aspects of their lives.
When Ron is not at the pool he is most likely working on an art project. He also enjoys cycling and hiking/backpacking. Ron has climbed the 46 highest peaks in the Adirondack Mountains. He has backpacked in many western states and climbed in the Rocky Mountains. He along with Diane & their dog Annie also have an interest in lighthouses, having seen many in Maine, Florida and the Great Lakes. Ron is a fan of all sports especially those that involve The University of Akron Zips.
Name: Peighton Neuman
Education: Kent State University, & Jackson High School, 2018
Date Started with Canton City Schools Swim Team CCS: 2018
Number Years Coaching: 2018-Current
Experience: Massilon Jackson HS Swimmer 2014-2018, CCS Canton City Schools Swim Team as a swimmer started in 2015 and swam all through HS. Then started coaching with CCS 2018.
Name: Jake Rehfus
Education: Malone University, 2018 & McKinley High School, 2013
Date Started with Canton City Schools Swim Team CCS: 2017
Number Years Coaching: 2017-Current
Experience: Canton McKinley HS Swimming & Diving Assistant Coach 2017-Current, CCS Canton City Schools Swim Team as a swimmer started in 2004 and swam all through HS and College. Then started coaching with CCS 2017.
