Balcones Country Club Sharks

My name is Garrett Mott and this is my 11th year to be a Sharks swim coach. As Head Coach my goal is to promote the sport of swimming through time improvements and having fun. I believe the purpose of summer league is to grow swimmers as athletes and to help build their confidence through learning and improving strokes in a positive and supportive atmosphere. Most importantly, I swam for the sharks for 10 years and I want all these budding athletes to have memories of Sharks they will cherish just like I do! 

As a swimmer, I swam for the Westwood High School Varsity Swim Team for 4 years and was captain my senior year. I was a regional qualifier for 2 years in the 200 Free and 200 Free Relay. Additionally, I swam with Nitro for 8 years. I'm so happy to be back at Westwood as the Assistant Swim Coach. I have coached at Westwood since 2021. I graduated from UT with degrees in Physics and Mathematics in December 2020 and went straight to teaching AP/IB Math and Physics at Westwood in Spring 2021. During my time with the Warriors, we have represented WHS at the UIL State Meet with tons of All State and All American recognized athletes. 

Away from the pool, I enjoy playing piano and making spreadsheets to track and model random things in my life. I can't wait to get this season started and get on the road to lots of time Improvements, technical stroke improvements and so many fun memories in the making. Go Sharks!

Favorite Stroke: Freestyle

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookies and Cream

Hi, my name is Marley Kotick, and this is also my tenth year being a Sharks coach! I swam for the sharks before coming a coach, and swimming was always the number one activity I looked forward to in the summer. I love coaching because I get to and be a part of a great community of swimmers and continue making memories with the sharks. Through swimming and participating on a team I learned a lot of the values and characteristics I still withold today. My favorite thing about Sharks is the environment and support of the team. The athletes truly come together to support one another and families cheer and lift up all swimmers in the pool. This helps the swimmers love the sport and feel accomplished each week.

I am currently a 5th grade teacher at Laurel Mountain Elementary. I will be wrapping up my 5th year of teaching this spring. I am also beginning my 6th year coaching at Waterloo Swimming. At Waterloo, I was the interim Senior Coach and now am back to my assisting roles for both the age group and senior track groups. I went to the University of Texas at Austin, graduated in 2020, and earned my degree in Education. Prior to that, I swam for 4 years on the Westwood Swim Team and I swam club with Waterloo Swimming. Outside of swimming, I enjoy doing any activity outside, and love eating good food with friends!

Favorite Stroke:  Freestyle

Favorite Ice Cream:  Blue Bell's Cookie Two Step 

Hi!! My name is Abby Denison, and this will be my first year as a Sharks coach!! I started swimming competitively at the age of 7. I swam club for Twin Creek Toros and Waterloo. For the past 4 years I have been a member of the Westwood Swim and Dive Team. I was a proud Sharks member for 4 years!! I love teaching young swimmers the basics of swimming. Watching them develop and start to master the different strokes. Getting to cheer them on during their races and relays and then giving high fives when they get finished and letting them know that every swim is a great swim. In the fall, I will be attending the University of Arkansas majoring in Biology with a Pre-Med focus. In my free time I love hanging out with my friends, watching movies, traveling, and trying out new restaurants. Go SHARKS!!!

Favorite Stroke: Freestyle

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookie Dough

Hi my name is Audrey Derdeyn and this is my first year as a Sharks Coach! I swam competitively for 12 years, starting with the sharks when I was 6! I did club swimming with Waterloo and was on the Westwood Swim and Dive team all 4 years of high school. I also played water polo and will most likely continue and play club in college!

I love teaching young swimmers all about the sport! Watching them gain more confidence and reach their goals is always so exciting to see! I can’t wait for an amazing season with these Sharks and for all the progress we’ll make as a team!

In the fall, I will be attending the Colorado School of Mines, and majoring in Civil Engineering! Outside of the pool, you’ll probably find me spending time with friends and family, trying new food, fishing, or looking for new music for my playlists. I also love the outdoors and going on fun new adventures.

I am beyond excited for new memories and fast swimming! Go Sharks!!!

Hi! My name is Blake Cookson, and this is my third season coaching with the Sharks! I’ve been swimming competitively for over twelve years and still can’t get enough of it. I’ve competed at just about every level and had the opportunity to swim collegiately for the Hendrix Warriors in Arkansas.

One of my favorite parts about coaching and instructing over the years has always been watching swimmers make connections, whether it’s learning a new stroke or finally hitting a best time. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their confidence grow as they realize what they’re capable of. I’m absolutely ecstatic to be working with all of these Sharks and watching them grow both as swimmers and as people!
I swam for the Cedar Park Timberwolves all four years of high school and had a great experience continuing my swimming career at Hendrix College. I’m now attending ACC and pursuing the Radiology Technology program, with hopes of earning my MRI certification in the future. I’m excited for continued growth in and out of the pool and to share my love for the sport with this team.

I’m thrilled to be back for another season with the Sharks! Let's Go Sharks!!!!

Favorite Stroke: Backstroke

Favorite Ice Cream: Strawberry Cheesecake

Hi! My name is Effie Castel, and this will be my second year as a coach for the Sharks! I swam with the Sharks for twelve years, and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to continue with the team for a second summer of coaching. I've been swimming competitively since I was six years old, through both club teams and the Westwood Swim Team. I'm really looking forward to sharing the lessons I've learned over the years with the Sharks swimmers. 

I absolutely love teaching young swimmers to enjoy the sport and watching them build their confidence in the water. I can’t wait to be part of the Sharks community this summer and I’m beyond excited for a season of fast swimming ahead! 

Currently, I’m studying biology at Université Laval in Québec. In my free time, I enjoy reading, going on walks, discovering new food spots, playing badminton, and of course, swimming! After spending many years as a camp counselor, I’m especially excited to bond with the swimmers and celebrate their accomplishments alongside them. I can’t wait to be back under the Texas sun. Go Sharks!

Favorite Stroke: Freestyle

Favorite Ice Cream: Mango

Hi hi!! My name is Emily Partridge and this is my second year as a Sharks coach! I've been a Shark, and swimming competitively, for 15 years, and I'm so excited to continue being on the team as an assistant coach for my 16th season! I swam all throughout high school at Westwood, dabbled a little at Waterloo, and am currently the Vice President for the Swim Club at UT Dallas. In April, my club participated in College Club Swimming Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina, where I swam 100 backstroke and 50 backstroke with best times! I also bumped into Coach Emma and Coach Phoenix there!

I currently attend the UT Dallas pursuing a bachelor of science degree in biomedical sciences on the pre-physician associate route, as well as volunteer as a certified EMT in my university's organisation - UEMR. If I’m not at the pool I’m probably studying, reading books, scuba diving, discovering new cafes, or eating (pickles) :P

I’m super excited to coach this year so I can see all the swimmers I coached last season again!! Alongside that, I'm eager to see new faces and help them acheive their goals in summer league be it making friends, dropping in events, or just splashing around! Summer league is my favorite season for swimming, and I can't wait to share it another year coaching these amazing little swimmers!! Go Sharks!

Hello!! My name is Phoenix Mielcarek, and this is going to be my second year as a Shark’s coach! I was a swimmer for 11 years, starting with summer league at the age of 7. I am super excited to be a coach for the Sharks this year, and hope to use my knowledge to help younger swimmers learn and grow in the sport. Getting to see swimmers thrive as they achieve goals firsthand is the greatest thing! I am probably the biggest swim nerd you’ll meet, so I am always more than happy to talk about anything and everything swim related. My favorite part about swimming is the comradery and team spirit it has to offer and I am so hyped to be a part of the Sharks family. 

As a swimmer, I started at Aquatex and moved Waterloo where I was a part of the National Team, and also represented Westwood swim and dive for 4 years, serving as a captain and finaling at State individually my senior year. I currently attend UT where I am pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. Outside of the pool I enjoy hiking, reading, and finding new places to eat. If there is any outdoor adventure (or delicious food) to be had, I am all for it! I can’t wait for a fun filled season with lots of memories to be made. Go Sharks!

Favorite Stroke: Breaststroke

Favorite Ice Cream: Cookies and Cream