Coaches and Directors
Hello. My name is Micheal Brandt. I am entering my 10th season of coaching that started at my local summer swim team in Wilmington, Delaware. From there I have become both an assistance coach and lesson instructor for the Delaware Westminster swim team, North Star Swim Club, and Westminster Stingrays. In addition, I spent one year as an age group coach for the Green Terror Aquatic Club in 2019 before COVID-19. I am both honored and thrilled to be returning to the Stingrays for my second year making the leap to head coach.
I have loved the sport of swimming ever since I began summer swimming at age 4. Even while swimming for club teams, my high school, and eventually for the McDaniel collegiate swim team, summer swimming has always been my favorite season. Like many swimmers currently on our team, I love the mixture of skills levels, community building, friendships, and passion that comes with the summer season.
Off the pool deck, I am finishing my second year as an elementary physical education teacher in Howard County. When I am not lesson planning I am usually watching swimming videos on YouTube or reading up on any new swimming news from Swim Swam.
Coach Wendy joined the Stingrays when she was 8 years old, started coaching in 2019, and began coordinating the Stingrays Learn-to-Swim program in 2021. Wendy graduated from Penn State University in 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Health Policy & Administration and now works at the National Institutes of Health. Wendy’s so excited to be back for another fantastic summer of swim lessons!
Laura has been a member of the Stingrays since she was 8 years old. During the winter swim season, she would swim for the CCY Piranhas, and in high school, she taught swim lessons at the Hill Family YMCA as well. She continued her swim career in college on the McDaniel Swim Team and served as the women's team captain during the 2021-2022 swim season. Laura is also an assistant coach on the Green Terror Acquatic Club team. At McDaniel College, she will be graduating this May with a Bachelor of the Arts in Graphic Design. This summer will be her second season as an Assistant Coach with the Stingrays, and she is very excited to be back with everyone again!
Julia started swimming for the Stingrays when she was 9 years old and assisted with lessons starting at age 11. Some of her favorite memories from her time as a Stingray include Straehle relays, Fun Friday practices, and the CCI meet. In the winters, Julia swam for her high school and was one of the captains of the McDonogh team during her senior year. Now, she is a rising sophomore at Vanderbilt University majoring in Human & Organizational Development and Economics. Outside of the pool, Julia enjoys running, reading, and going out for ice cream. Julia has spent a few summers away from the Stingrays and is so excited to return this season as a coach!
