SDS Coaches
Sea Devils coaches are pleased to offer a bit of insight into their background and history with the team - some even started with the team as swimmers back when SDS was founded. For more information on contact information or other details about schedules, registration or meet calendar, please see the home page of our site.
Peter J. Karl - Head Coach
ASCA Level 4 Coach
- With SDS since 1977
- M.A. - Exercise Physiology, University of Maryland
- AGM Aquatics, Army Navy Country Club
"Sea Devil Swimming strives to provide the environment for each individual to discover the path to achieve excellence"
Cindy Cruzado - Spring Hill Pool Coach: Masters - With SDS since 2007
- USA Swimming Certified Age Group and Masters Coach
- High School Swim Coach for The Potomac School, McLean
- Highlands Swim Team, Summer League Team (NVSL Division 1)
- Senior Product Executive with more than 20 years experience leading software innovationand bringing over 100 new products to market.
"To inspire the highest levels of self-confidence in swimmers of all ages" /top/
Dylan Jones - Tuckahoe Pool Coach: Silver/Gold, AG 2 and AG3
- with SDS since 1991, first as a swimmer then as a coach starting in 2005
- Head coach, summer league for High Point Pool
BFA in Sculpture from James Madison University, played water polo
Instructional assistant at Langley High School since 2006
"I'm looking forward to another fun and fast year with Sea Devils!" /top/
Mark Lewis - St. Albans Pool Coach - One of "Jane's Ships"
Coach Lewis swam 12 years under SDS founding coach Jane Stafford, and began his coaching career under her tutelage.
- With SDS and St. Albans since 1981
- Remains committed to maintaining the tradition of compassion and technical instruction established by coach Stafford.
- As efficiency and speed are the combination of balance and rhythm in swimming technique, coach Lewis provides ample instruction so that his swimmers may demonstrate effort and execution in training and competition. /top/
Rory B. Lewis, Sr. - Lab School Pool Coach
- Has been coaching since 1980, ASCA Level 3
- Coach With SDS since 2000
- Howard University, Men & Women Head Coach since 2009
- 2000 North East Conference Swim Coach of the Year /top/
Micky Minutoli - Holton- Arms Pool Coach: Select
- with SDS since 2008
- Coached swimming in Massachusetts and Saudi Arabia
- Swam for University of Massachusetts (4 year Varsity)
- M.A. in Physical Education, Hofstra University; B.S. in Physical Education, University of Massachusetts
- Elementary Physical Education Specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools (26 years experience)
"Swimming is just another piece of your life experience, if you want to be your best just put your mind to it and put the work and time into it". /top/
Kristina DeWeese - Assistant Coach, South Run, AG3
- Has been coaching since 2004; with SDS since 2007
- Head Coach for NVSL team, 2 summers
- Is a fitness enthusiast and triathlon competitor.
"Technique and drills done right are the keys to fast swimming."
Melanie McKula, Team Administrator
- B.S. in Nutrition, Penn State University M.PH.,
- Health Care Administration, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
- ASCA Level 2, Level 3 coursework completed
- Started teaching swimming way back in 1985.
- With Sea Devils since 2004, first as a clinic coach then in the Developmental program.
"If you have questions, I have answers!" /top/
Peter DeWeese - Assistant Coach, South Run, High School Prep
- 7 years USA-S coaching experience. ASCA Level 2 Certified.
- 2 years summer league coaching experience.
- Sprint breaststroker; Great Chesapeake Bay 4.4mi Swim competitor, 7 years.
- iPhone and iPad App engineer.
"Master swimming to gain life skills." /top/
Rob Green - Assistant Coach, St. Albans: AG2
- with SDS since
- Director of Aquatics and Head Coach, St. Albans and National Cathedral Schools swim programs
- Chairman, Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swimming & Diving League
- Member of American Swim Coaches Association, National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association
- American Red Cross lifeguard training instructor /top/
Ian Handerhan - Assistant Coach, Lab School: AG3
- with SDS since 2008 working with clinic, AG2, AG3 and Silver groups
- Middle School teacher at Saint Agnes Catholic School in Arlington
- has coached as an Assistant and since 2007, as Head Coach at Army Navy Country Club
- Head Swim Coach at Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology in Fairfax /top/
Emilia Leon - Assistant Coach
- with SDS since 2011
- 2009-2010 - assistant coach with the local YMCA in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- has coached summer swimming in DC for the past three summers. /top/
Jake McGrail, Assistant Coach, Silver/Gold
- with SDS since 2003
- Jake has been coaching since 2000, starting as a clinic coach and is now with the Silver/Gold program
Assistant Coach, Army Navy Country Club
"If you keep putting the time, energy, and effort into your swimming the results will come." /top/
- ASCA Level 2 certified; Level 3 anticipated
- 4 years USA-S, PVS coach
- NVSL Winter Coach, Fairfax Frogs
- 2 summers, Summer Day School Clinic Coach
- Swim competitor in: Age Group, High School, University, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Masters, Triathlon, Biathlon, and Open Water
- Coach Summer League, U.S. Swimming Age Group, High School, Masters, Open Water, and Clinics
- 30 years Swim Instructor experience
- B.S. Education, Secondary Licensure, University of Oregon, Eugene
- A.S. Nursing, RN, Gwynedd-Mercy College, PA
Harry and his wife, Susan, have two sons and reside in Fair Oaks, VA. /top/
Karen Mermagen – Assistant Coach, South Run AG2
With SDS since 2008, ASCA certified
- Long Branch Dolphins Summer developmental coach since 2006
- Certified massage therapist with a focus on sports massage
- Currently a long distance runner, masters swimmer and novice triathlete
- B.A. International Studies & French, U of Denver; collegiate swimmer
- Karen and her husband, Mark, have 2 children and reside in Burke, VA.
"My coaching approach is to encourage and motivate young swimmers with positive reinforcement through a strong emphasis on stroke technique and specific development goals."
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Jazmin McNeal - Assistant Coach, Developmental
-with SDS since 2011
Began swimming at the age of five in Columbus, Ohio. Continued through high school and college.
Extensive background in with coaching her summer team.
"I am excited to be working with the Developmental group!" /top/
Bill Whitty - Assistant Coach, Holton, AG 2 and 3
- Bill swam for Sea Devils from the age of 9 all the way through high school before swimming in college for the University of Tampa.
- Bill has been coaching all levels of swimming for Sea Devils since 2002.
"I can't" is not part of our vocabulary, "I'll try" is!"
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