Coach Kristen joined the coaching staff of Pine Island Aquatics as the Head Coach at its’ formation in 2023. She is a certified USA Swimming Coach, ASCA Level 2 Swim Coach, and a certified lifeguard. Also, she is currently a Head Swim Coach (6 years), as well as a Health and PE teacher for Cape Coral High School (7 years). Previously, she was an Assistant Swim Coach for Highland Golf and Country Club in Indianapolis, a summer league swim team. Also, she was the Head Swim Coach of the Highland Hurricanes Swim Club (Highland, IN) for 1.5 years, and a middle school Health and PE teacher for 9 years before continuing her teaching and coaching career in Florida. In addition, most recently, she was an Assistant Coach for Swim Florida.

Coach Kristen dedicated much of her life to the sport of swimming at a young age (6 years old), and continued her swimming career through college. She attended the University of Indianapolis, where she swam all 4 years and earned her degree in Health and Physical Education. At the University of Indianapolis, she was an All-American swimmer, as well as an Academic All-American, and most recently was inducted into the University of Indianapolis with her teammates from 04-05 class. Upon graduation from U of I, she retired from swimming and switched her focus over to being poolside as a swim coach, which is truly where her heart lies. She is now married to Cole (volunteer coach of Pine Island Aquatics) and has two children, Hayden and Taylor. Cole, Hayden, and Taylor all swim for Pine Island Aquatics.

 

Her devotion to the sport of swimming has been lifelong, and she is lucky enough to share the love of the sport with her family. She loves seeing her swimmer’s excitement about their accomplishments in the pool, which can include everything from mastering a new skill or getting their first championship cut or standing on the podium to receive their first medal. Coach Kristen believes that it is so important to be a positive role model to her swimmers and provide them with a safe learning environment. In addition, she strongly believes that it is so important to build a positive relationship with each and every swimmer to make them feel they are supported both in and out of the pool. By doing this it can help swimmers gain confidence, which can be key to swimmers reaching their full potential.