TEAM LEADERSHIP
ASCA LEVEL 5 CERTIFICATION. Bob is very proud of his hometown, Baltimore, MD where he went to Archbishop Curley HS and then graduated from Elon College, NC. His loving family consists of his wife Joni, whom he met while coaching in Lancaster, PA and his sons Colin, and Brandan. They both are totally absorbed in soccer. As for his coaching career, Bob is beginning his 44th year of coaching. He has coached many levels of swimmers, ranging from developmental to Olympic Trial Qualifiers. He has coached 34individual swimmers to 108 Top 16/10 times, 124 Top 16 relays, 78 Junior National qualifiers, 15 Senior National Swimmers, 1 National Team swimmer – ranked 21st in the world in the 200m Breaststroke, 1 National Junior Team swimmer – ranked 25th in the world in the 100m Breaststroke, 1 National Youth Team member, and 11 Olympic Trial swimmers – with 2 swimmers placing in Semi-Finals. In the summer of 2005, as a team, the RAYS came in 8th at YMCA Nationals; in 2009, our boys’ team came in 4th place, our best ever finish. He has been with the RAYS since 2001 and has built the team from less than 90 to 400 swimmers. Early in his career, Bob coached at Dunbar HS in Baltimore City, a couple of YMCAs, and numerous summer league teams while leading one to them to the Maryland State Championships. Following his early success, he coached at the nationally renowned North Baltimore Aquatic Club for 3 years. Next, he became the head coach of Lancaster Aquatic Club, PA for nine years. He built Lancaster from 70 to 160 swimmers, and they scored at 13 straight Junior Nationals. Then, Bob spent 4 years at Dynamo Swim Club out of Atlanta, where he built one of their satellite pools from 80 to 130 swimmers and from 1 Junior National qualifier in 1 event to 6 National qualifiers in 20 events. While at Team Foxjet in Minnesota, 1997-2001, he accomplished 6 consecutive state championships. During the 2000 summer Junior Nationals-West, his girls’ team finished fourth with the team finishing sixth overall. Bob was also named the 1999 Minnesota Senior Coach of the Year.
ASCA LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATION. Anthony is born and raised in the Virginia. He grew up swimming for OCCS, FBST and QDD all in the Northern Virginia area. After High School Anthony swam one year at Mary Washington College (Now UMW). Anthony has coached at every level of the sport from developmental to a swimmer at the Pan-Pacific Games. Prior to his time with the RAYS Anthony was the Head Coach for Sienna Plantation Aquatics(SPA) in Houston, TX. While with SPA Anthony developed the senior program and within 2 years placed 2nd at Gulf Senior Champs. He was also a Head Site Coach for Swim Neptune in Phoenix, AZ and a Head Site Coach for NCAP in Warrenton, VA. Anthony has worked with numerous swimmers who have achieved Junior National, Sectional, National Top 10 along with Quad A and Triple A times. Besides swimming Anthony enjoys spending time with his wife Therese and his son Cooper.
JEFF ROUSE SWIM AND SPORTS CENTER - 1600 Mine Rd, Stafford, VA 22554
Patrick first began swimming in Greer, South Carolina for the Cane Break Crocodiles at the age of 10. His family then moved to Fredericksburg where he swam for the College Heights Gators for eight years, where he started his swim coaching career, having coached the Gators for six years. While attending Riverbend High School, Patrick swam all four years, became a captain his senior year, and qualified for the state championship meet. Not only has he coached several high school swim teams in the area, including Chancellor High School which he has coached for six years, but he has also coached several RSL Summer leagues in the area for the past ten years. Patrick has been a coach for the RAYS for the past seven years, and has led multiple swimmers to qualify for Age Groups, Senior Champs, and Sectionals. In his free time Patrick enjoys video games, disc golf, cats, and spending time with his wife Tess and newborn son Theodore.
Adam grew up swimming in the Maryland and Northern Virginia area; after moving to Cincinnati, OH for high school, he returned to the area to swim for Washington and Lee University. Adam began his coaching career in the Cincinnati area, working with swimmers aged 8-18; he achieved ASCA Level 4 Certification in the YMCA program. During his time in Cincinnati, his 13-14 boys won their Age Group 3 seasons in a row; the team also achieved its first Bronze Medal and produced two 2020/21 Olympic Trials qualifiers. Adam’s groups also set over 25 new team records in the 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14 age groups. Adam continues to swim competitively in U.S. Masters Swimming; he also enjoys watching other professional sports, including the local FredNats.
Liz didn’t pick up the sport of swimming until age 14. Despite that, swimming became and continues to be a large part of her life. She swam locally for the College Heights Gators, and Courtland High School where she was Captain and MVP her Senior year. After starting college at Virginia Tech, she continued her involvement in aquatics by lifeguarding, teaching lessons, and coaching summer league. Graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Liz moved to Colorado to begin her career in the oil & gas industry. Even while traveling between rigs in North Dakota, she always found ways to sneak in some laps. She is excited that her return Virginia includes the opportunity to work with RAYS and contribute to an environment that will endear the sport of swimming to the next generation. Beside swimming, Liz enjoys skiing, hiking, and watching reruns of The Office with her dog, Kirk.
Nicole started her swim career at age six with the Barracudas Summer Swim Team in Woodbridge, VA. She moved to Stafford and swam year round for 8 years, including the RAYS for 6. She swam for Curtis Park Seahawks for 10 years and coached them for 5 years. She was on the varsity swim team at Mountain View High School all four years and was captain her senior year. She is currently working towards a degree in systems engineering.
Tracey grew up in a Navy Household so she spent most of her childhood moving from coast to coast. She swam on a summer swim team in Sterling, Virginia, swam all four years for her high school team in New Mexico and swam year round for the Duke City Aquatics team. Her favorite stroke was breaststroke. Tracey attended New Mexico State University where she received both her Bachelor's Degree in Education and her Master's Degree in Education. Tracey has been teaching for 18 years, and is currently teaching at Colonial Forge High School. In her free time Tracey enjoys Forge Fit (an exercise group at her high school), running, reading, spending time with her husband Greg and her three kids Mackenzie, Ashton and Landon.
Ryan is from Lebanon, Pennsylvania and swam at Cedar Crest High School and Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. As a swimmer, Ryan specialized in the 100 Breaststroke and after leaving Bloomsburg was ranked third all time in school history in the event. A 2017 graduate, Ryan spent some time working as an Environmental Consultant in Michigan before moving to Fredericksurg and returning to the sport of swimming as a volunteer coaching assistant with the University of Mary Washington in the fall of 2020. He eagerly anticipates returning to racing on his own with masters swimming. Ryan also enjoys spending time with his fiance, Lauren, and dog, Kalvin.
Abby is from Blacksburg, VA, and grew up swimming for H2okies. She is currently a junior at the University of Mary Washington and is on the varsity swim team. Abby started swimming year-round when she was 6. She was a coach for Shawnee Swim Club and was the head coach of Special Olympic swimming based in Christiansburg, VA. The last semester Abby participated in the Disney College Program and completed 3 half marathons. In addition to this, she competes in triathlons over the summer.
ROSNER FAMILY YMCA - 5700 Smith Station Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22407
Jimmy Rodriguez is the Rosner Y head site coach. His love for swimming began as a recreational swimmer over 20 years ago in Houston, TX. He continued his competitive swimming career through high school, and at Henderson State University; where he studied Aviation, History, and Physics. Jimmy spent the past three years as the Senior group coach with the Fort Collins Area Swim Team. While there, FAST was recognized as a USA Swimming Silver Medal club. He developed several new Senior Zone, Sectional, and Futures qualifiers as well as, while working with a HS, one of his swimmers set a state record. He also worked closely with multiple Jr National & Olympic Trials qualifiers. Jimmy began his coaching career in 2010 with his old summer club team, moving from assistant to the head coaching role in 2012. He also worked with his college team during the 2014-2015 school year. Jimmy then joined Coach Anthony at Sienna Plantation Aquatics, TX. While there, he was the lead age group coach & assisted with the Senior groups. Coach Jimmy is looking forward to a new adventure on the east coast with his wife, Libby, two dogs, plus her snake & horse), as well as welcoming their first child this fall.
Coach Alex has been involved with swimming for 16 years. He was state champion in Vermont for the 100 back, and got 3rd in the 50 free and the 200 free. Alex has swam for multiple year round teams over the years. During high school Alex lettered all four years in swimming and was named MVP his freshman and senior year, along with being voted as Team Captain. Alex began his coaching career with helping the learn to swim kids on his previous team, while still being in the seniors. He also began coaching for a summer swim team and has been assistant head coach on that team for the past 5 years. After receiving his Water safety instructor certificate from red cross he taught both group and private lessons for Stafford county. Alex is currently attending Germanna college in pursuit of being an elementary teacher.
Swimming has been a big part of Dana's life since she was a young child. Growing up in Fredericksburg, she swam for the Spotswood (RSL) and for the RAYS (way back when they only swam at ONE pool). Dana has coached at the RSL and high school levels. She is excited for the opportunity to work with the AG2 swimmers at Rosner YMCA. She hopes to foster the same love of swimming that she has in the swimmers that she coaches. Dana has two children, Stephen and Lilly, both of whom swam for the RAYS. When she is not at the pool, you will most likely find her in the classroom. Dana teaches middle school science in Spotsylvania County.
Jenny grew up in Bethesda, MD. She attended Churchill HS and swam for Lakewood CC. She played varsity basketball and ran All State in Cross Country and Track. She attended Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!!!) where she ran Cross Country/Track. Jenny is currently active in the Triathlon community and masters swim. She is also an American Red Cross instructor/Admin Assistant at the YMCA. GO Rays!!
Leslie grew up in Rockville, Md, where she swam in the MCSL and year-round for RMSC. She was also a gymnast and diver, competing in junior high and high school gymnastics and high school gymnastics, swimming and diving, as well as the Montgomery County Diving League that her father started. Leslie started the Spotsy Dragons RSL team with the aquatics director and help of a core group of parents. Her first job was coaching gymnastics, and she has been a Rosner Y swim instructor to many swimmers, who have gone on to both the RSL and RAYS. After years as a RAYS mom for daughter Gillian, Leslie looks forward to her new role as a RAYS assistant coach.
MASSAD FAMILY YMCA - 212 Butler Rd, Stafford, VA 22405
Dylan is from Fredericksburg, VA and grew up swimming for the Salem Fields Sunfish and RPST. Upon graduation he swam 4 years at George Mason University, a Division 1 program. While at Mason, he set and is still the current record holder in both the 200 IM and the 100 Breastroke. He was also a contributing member of George Mason’s first ever Atlantic 10 Conference Championship in 2020. In both 2019 and 2021 Dylan was named MVS for Mason Men’s swimming team for his efforts in and out of the water. He was also elected to the VASID 2 team during those years. He has a total of 8 Atlantic 10 conference medals to his name which includes 2 Gold, 2 Silver, and 4 Bronze. Dylan had many swim coaching jobs including Salem Fields, Little Fish swimming, Goldfish Swim School, Chancellor High School and George Mason University. In his first season with RAYS he coached AG1 at JRSSC and provided assistance with the developmental swimmers. During his tutelage, 2 swimmers qualified for Age Group Champs. When Dylan isn’t coaching, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family, plus playing golf.
Angeles grew up in Madrid, Spain and swam competitively since the age of 9 with Club Natacion Mirasierra. During her senior year in High School, she joined an exchange student program and arrived to Tampa/Clearwater FL, attending Osceola HS in Largo, FL. A few of her accomplishments include 4 HS Records (100 Fly, 200 back, 400 IM and 400 Medley Relay) and being named most valuable swimmer, earning her a full ride swim scholarship to Saint Petersburg Junior College where she placed top 5 at NJCAA Championships finals under Coach Michael Stewart -West Florida Lightning Aquatics.
After college, Angeles became an Analyst for the Federal government and continues her love for the water and dedication to the sport, working as a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor at the Chinn Aquatics & Fitness Center in Prince William and at Massad YMCA.
Angeles has three sons - Brian, Blake and Brent - who swim with the Rays. Watching her children swim has inspired her to become more active in the competitive swimming community. She is excited and looks forward to the opportunity of being part of the RAYS and helping her swimmers to be the best possible.
Emma started swimming at age six and has since swam for King George High School, Rappahannock Raiders, the Rays, as well as the Hopyard Hammerheads in the summer. She has been a volunteer, junior coach, and assistant coach for the Hammerheads for the past four years as well. This is her first year coaching for the Rays.
A Charleston, South Carolina native, Grace Arredondo started swimming at seven years old for a local summer league team. From sixth through twelfth grade, she swam for her high school's AAA varsity team and started year round swimming at fourteen. Grace was a four year member of Chowan University's women's swim team, specializing in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events. During summer breaks, she returned home to Charleston and worked as an assistant coach for the summer league team that instilled in her a love and passion for swimming. Grace is currently pursuing her Master's degree in English with a concentration in Professional and Technical Writing from George Mason University and is thrilled to be a part of the RAYS family.
Austin is from Mechanicsville, Virginia where he swam for Mechanicsville High School and Burkwood Aquatic Club (now Hanover Hurricanes). He began swimming at the age of 9 for the Mechanicsville Marlins Summer Swim Team, and began his club swimming career at the age of 15. Austin graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2020, where he swam for all four years. While at UMW, Austin was named the 2017 Conference Rookie of the Year, earned four individual NCAA B Cuts (three in the 400 IM and one in the 1650), one NCAA B Cut in the 4x200 Freestyle Relay, seven Conference Championship titles, received two Academic All-America Honorable Mentions, and is a member of the relay team that holds the current 4x200 Freestyle Relay Record. When Austin is not at the pool, he is teaching 5th Grade in Stafford County. He is excited to be working with the RAYS and is looking forward to a great season!
KING GEORGE FAMILY YMCA - 10545 Kings Highway, King George, VA 22485
Connor comes to the Rays after graduating from VCU with his master's degree in Health and Physical Education. Connor grew up in King George, Virginia where he was a four time varsity letterman for the Foxes. Connor also was the founding coach for the Hopyard Hammerheads, an RSL swim team, where he was the Head Coach for the last 4 years. Connor also has 4 years of year round coaching experience coaching with teams in the Richmond area. Connor is a Health and Physical Education teacher at A.G. Wright Middle School. In his spare time, Connor enjoys fishing, spending time outside, and watching his favorite sport teams. Connor is very excited to move back to the area where he is from and start coaching for the RAYS!
As a kid growing up swimming for the Dahlgren Sharks in the RSL to swimming for the first swim team at KGHS in 1993 to USMS swimming as an adult, swimming has always been a big part of Mike's life. Mike has competed in several open water swims including the 4.4 mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim three times. Mike has also recently joined the KGHS Swim Team coaching staff helping to lead the boys and girls teams as perennial contenders in the Battlefield District. Mike and his wife Jennette are the proud parents of Jackson (16), a Junior at KGHS where he runs Track and Cross Country and Colton (13), an 8th grader at KGMS and a RAYS swimmer at the KG site. Mike is excited to join the KG RAYS Coaching Staff and looks forward to helping out with all age groups.
Alexandra grew up in the Fredericksburg area, and has been swimming for thirteen years through various summer, year-round, high school, and college swim teams. She started as a volunteer swim coach for the Dahlgren Sharks at age fifteen, and has since proceeded to be an assistant coach for the Dahlgren Sharks, and the Rappahannock Raiders, along with being a coach for the Masters Swimming program at the King George Y, and a swim lesson teacher. In high school, she was able to qualify for the state swim team the three years she attended King George High School, and is currently studying at the University of Mary Washington where she is pursuing a major in education and continues to swim.
Erin grew up swimming recreationally, but didn’t start competing until high school when she swam for Spotsylvania High. She worked as a lifeguard at Lake Anna for several summers before going on to play Intramural Water Polo at James Madison University. Erin enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys, and you can usually find them on ball fields/courts somewhere. Erin is excited to start her new role with the Rays!
Board of Directors
