Swimming experience: 7 time Wyoming High School State Champion, held 7 school records, 2 time State Record Holder and 5 time All-American.  Qualified for Junior Nationals in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events, the 100 butterfly and anchored a 400 medley relay team that competed at Junior Nationals and was ranked in the Top 16 in the nation.  Received an athletic scholarship to the University of Washington where I competed for two years before transferring to the University of Wyoming where I completed my eligibility.

Coaching experience: Graduate assistant during my 5th year of eligibility at the University of Wyoming.  I served as a volunteer coach for the Laramie High School swim team from 2003-2004.  During this time we won a State Championship and had an All-American swimmer.  From 2002-2005, I coached on the Laramie Swim Team and coached a Master's swim program at the University of Wyoming.  In 2009 I was hired as the first coach for the South High School Bison where I still currently coach.  During this short time I have received Conference Coach of the Year 4 times.  In 2013 with the help of my long time friend, I started the Capital City Athletics.  We run a program in which we incorporate high quality stroke technique coaching into conditioning during each and every practice. 

I have been involved with competitive swimming since the age of 5, when I joined the Laramie Swim Club. I continued my swimming career throughout a few different clubs as my family moved from Wyoming to Nevada, and eventually back to Wyoming. I swam for Laramie High School from 1994-1997 (All-State & All-Conference 1995-1997), and was part of an All–American relay team as well as a State Championship team in 1997.

After high school, I went to the University of South Dakota where I swam varsity as a distance and backstroke specialist for 4 years. I was team captain my senior year (2001). I also played 4 years of Collegiate Water Polo, where I was team captain for 2 years as well as a 2 time CWPA All-Conference Water Polo player of the year (2000-2001).

My fifth year of college I was an assistant coach for the University of South Dakota. After graduation I was head coach of the Siouxland Sharks in Sioux City, IA for 1.5 years (2002-2003). I then became assistant coach for the CAST Aquatic Club in San Diego, CA for another 2 years. I then returned to Wyoming where I became head swimming and diving coach for the Sheridan High School for 7 years(2003-2010). While in Sheridan, I had 7 All-State swimmers and divers, and was North Conference Coach of the Year in 2008. In 2011, my family moved to Cheyenne, and I have been the assistant coach for the men’s and women’s high school, team for the past 3 years. In addition to being a coach I am graphic designer and sign fabricator here in Cheyenne.

Galen grew up swimming on a competitive team in Sydney, Australia competing in State age , National Age, Senior State, and Senior Nationals finals from the age of 14 winning medals in Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and IM. As a senior age swimmer he competed in the 1996 and 2000 Australian Olympic trials competing in the 200M Fly, 400M IM and was a member of a 4x 200 Freestyle Open nationals Silver medal team. Along the way he earned places on the NSW State team, and as a member of the national senior team, and competed in various speedo grand Prix’s in Sydney. He rounded out his swimming with two years of eligibility at the University of Wyoming in 2001-2003.
 
Beginning in high School, Galen has coached and mentored swimmers of all ages (6 months to masters swimming) both in Sydney Australia and  in Wyoming first with the Laramie swim club, and now with Capital City Athletics. Having been taught by two Olympic medalists and a long line of national coaches he believes that teaching the fundamentals of good stoke mechanics are the key to developing young swimmers, along with having fun and fostering self-confidence. Aside from coaching Galen is the IT Director of a local bank and enjoys teaching staff, customers and the broader community about Cyber Security.

Growing up in Gillette, WY, I am the youngest of 4 kids who all swam competitively. With swimming being a positive focus of life for 13 years of adolescence, I strived to be the best captain and team leader possible.  With honors of:

• Competing in Swimming Zones Championships. 
• Named most valuable swimmer and a proud member of a 4-time High School State Championship team.
• Named All American in the 200 Freestyle Relay.
• Played soccer for fun and earned the name Ms. Hustle.

                I went on to get my dream job of becoming a Firefighter and have worked for the City of Cheyenne for 9 years.  As a proud parent of 2 beautiful girls Isabel (11) and Adalyn (7), I am supported by my husband who is also a Wildland firefighter and works in Laramie for the Forest Service. I love doing anything outdoors, and continue to compete in everything from swimming, triathlons, running and even stair climbs. 

With the pleasure of coaching the Cheyenne Waves, the opportunity has allowed me to be involved with the love of development of youths in a sport I am most passionate about.  The most special thing about being a coach has been the experience of watching and supporting my daughter’s and all other athlete’s careers take shape through positive encouragement. 

As the “Safe Sport Coordinator for Wyoming Swimming” I love teaching kids about a healthy mental aspect of competition.  “Putting one’s mind in a good place and having the right attitude can take you further than you expect.  Understanding that even with failure one can get on the blocks and try again.”