Craig Charlson
Head Coach
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A highly successful coach, Craig believes
in a strong IM/aerobic based training program. He
is a firm believer in the long-term development of all
swimmers and it will be his goal as our Head Coach to provide
all swimmers the best opportunity to reach their highest level
academically, athletically and socially.
Craig started his coaching career in 1999
at the University of Minnesota and Twin Cities Swim Team
working with the University’s Big Ten Championship
teams and the club’s age group and master
programs. In 2003, he then served as lead Senior
Coach at Blackline Aquatics, boy’s Assistant Coach
at St. Thomas Academy High School and girl’s Head Coach
at Apple Valley High School. In 2006, Craig took
over the Head Coach position at North Suburban Aquatic Club,
pushing his swimmers to record swims.
In 2009, Craig joined the Bearcat
Swim Club as Head Coach and Director. At Bearcats,
he coached the team and its athletes to over 500 team
records, nearly a dozen Oregon Swimming LSC records, multiple
USA Swimming’s All-Time Top 100 rankings, and consistent
top ten team finishes at the State and Sectional
Championships. A couple highlights among his achievements
at Bearcats is coaching an 18 & under
National Champion and most recently this past summer Craig
coached three athletes at the Olympic Trials.
Additionally, Charlson has been presented the ASCA
Award of Excellence for outstanding coaching achievement in
the United States of America and has been an Assistant
Coach for the USA Swimming Zone Select Camp in Arizona.
Bearcat Swim Club, under Craig’s direction, has earned
back-to-back Bronze Medals through USA Swimming's National Club
Excellence Program in 2011 and 2012.
Coach Craig Charlson brings a wealth
of knowledge and expertise to our team. He is
an American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Level 4
USA swim coach and lifetime member of
ASCA.
When asked about his future with
Reno Aquatic Club, Craig responded, “I am excited to
join Reno Aquatic Club and I look forward to continuing
the club’s strong tradition of excellence while building
great relationships with the swimmers, families, staff
and community. I am thrilled about calling
Reno home.”
Craig is a native of Platteville,
Wisconsin and attended the University of Minnesota graduating
with a degree in Communication Studies.
Rebecca Chappell
Head Age Group / Pre-Senior Coach
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Becca
grew up in Minden, NV where she joined the Douglas Dolfins Swim
Team at the age of 8. She swam for Coach Sarah Davenport, who has
continually inspired her passion for the sport of swimming. She
started her coaching career at age 15, when she started teaching
lessons at the swim center, which later lead into a coaching
position for the Douglas Dolfins. Becca later moved to Reno
to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, where she studied
Education. Becca has just completed her second season at Reno High
School, as the Head Swim Coach. She joined the Reno Aquatic Club
Coaching Staff in 2012, taking over the Orange group. Becca took
over the Head Age Group Coach position in April, and is very
excited for this opportunity.
Susan Schraeder
Orange Coach
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Swimming
has been my passion since I was 8 years old. I started
competitive swimming on the Sparks Piranhas and continued to swim
competitively through high school. I then walked onto the UNLV
team my freshman year and earned a scholarship for the rest of my
three years. I have been coaching since 1995 starting with
Sparks High School and then onto Wooster High School where I have
been for the last 12 years. I started coaching
for
RENO Aquatic Club in
2001 and have coached every group except the Seniors. I
have had the pleasure to have some of Reno's best coaches as
mentors including Norm Cipriano. I feel very lucky to have two
rambunctious boys and a husband that allow me to coach as a
career.
Sam Allred
Blue Coach
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Sam has loved the water since the age of 13 months old and began
swimming at 3 years old. Coach Allred swam with the Piranhas
until 8 and was a state qualifier all 4 years for Sparks High
School. Sam is passionate about swimming and working with
young atheltes which made working as a lifeguard and instructor as
a teenager his dream job! Coach Sam taught swim lessons for 5
years, coached Piranhas for 2.5 years and Sparks High for a season
- working with 18 months old to adults.
Coach Allred took a small break from coaching swimming working with
a local Boy Scouts of America Unit and been able to work with some
very talented and honorable young men that have met some of their
young goals and are now pursuing their goals in college. Sam
say he is very grateful for the opportunity to work for the Reno
Aquatic Club and looks forward to sharing his passion for swimming
and life and helping the team members grow as a team and as
individuals - himself included.
Nikki Castagnola
Lead Development / Great White Coach
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Nikki started her coaching career in 2003 while teaching private
lessons to the children in the neighborhood. Nikki has coached
all age groups including two year olds, high school, and adult
swimmers. Nikki coached Sparks High School. After her
time at Sparks High School she began her career with theRENO
Aquatic Club. Nikki currently coaches Great White group and
is the Lead Developmental coach overseeing the Minnow/Dolphin
groups and assessment and group placement. Nikki, like all
RENO staff members, is a certified USA Swim coach who maintains her
CPR, First Aid and Coach’s Safety certifications.
Nikki
started swimming at the age of 4 years old. Nikki swam for
Coach Norm at both McQueen High School and RENO Aquatic
Club. While swimming at McQueen High school Nikki was a team
captain. Coach Nikki was awarded two awards while swimming for
McQueen she was awarded the Coach’s Award as well as the
Esprit de Corps. Nikki graduated with a degree in Psychology from
the University of Nevada, Reno.
Darci Cummings
Minnow / Dolphins Coach
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Darci
attended Reno High School and graduated from UNR with a General
Studies degree. While attending Reno High, she swam and
played water polo. After graduating high school she began her
coaching career with Reno Aquatics and as a high school
water polo coach. She has been involved with RENO Aquatic Club
for more than 20 years, beginning as a swimmer, in the dolphin
group. She brings a tremendous amount of experience and
knowledge regarding swimming and the philosophy of RENO
Aquatics. She has coached most of the groups within the club
and understands what it takes to bring out the best in each
individual. Darci brings a fun and energetic attitude towards
coaching and swimming. She believes in working hard while
having fun doing it.
Angel Skelton
Senior 1 Coach
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Angel attended Douglas High School and is
currently attending the University of Nevada, Reno while pursuing
his degree in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology. Angel started teaching swim lessons in
Minden at the age of 16 and began sub coaching for the Douglas
Dolfins before moving to Reno. Angel has coached children ages 4-18
and has also coached and trained adults on how to swim all four
strokes properly and legally. Angel has been the Head Swim Coach
for Galena High School for three seasons now and has been with Reno
Aquatic Club since June 2012. Angel is excited about swimming and
is excited about sharing his love for the sport with up and coming
swimmers as his squad continues to grow in numbers. It is
Angel’s goal to develop and prepare each swimmer to be
competitors and leaders both in and out of the pool while still
having fun and enjoying themselves throughout their swim
career.
