Head Coach
MATT RANKIN

COACH
RYAN

COACHING CAREER (1993 - present) includes the following coaching positions; Masters Coach for Sundevil Aquatics, Head Masters Coach, Phoenix Swim Club / Brophy Prep., Interim Head Coach, Phoenix Swim Club, Assistant Age Group Coach, Phoenix Swim Club, Head Age Group Coach, Las Vegas Gold, Head Water Polo Coach, David Douglas High School (Portland, Or).

SWIMMING EXPERIENCE INCLUDES; US National team member, 1984-1992, 3-Time Olympic trial finalist, 1984, 1988,1992 (200-400 IND. MED., 200 FLY). His international competition experience includes the Goodwill Games, Moscow Russia, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Spain, and Australia. He was the US National Team Captain for the World University Games. He was a National Champion in 1984, 1985 (400 IND. MED.), NCAA Finalist Silver Medalist, 1986, 1987, 1988 (200-400 I.M., 200 FLY).

EDUCATION; UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, 1985-1989 (EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY, GENERAL BUSINESS).

Achievements and Involvement:

• 2008 Arizona Swimming Senior Coach of the Year
• Arizona Swimming Technical Planning Committee member- 2007 to present
• Arizona Coaches Representative- 2007-2008
• Arizona Swimming Board of Review- 2009
• USA Swimming “Select Camp” coach

Ryan Kent is currently the Head Age Group Coach for the Westside Silver Fins. Ryan began his coaching career as Head Coach for the Goodyear Sharks recreational swim team in the summer of 2000. In only a few short years, Coach Ryan, with the assistance of Coach Melissa, grew the Goodyear Sharks from 97 to 340+ swimmers and captured three consecutive Mar-West Championship titles before transitioning the team to their new coaching staff in the summer of 2005.

Ryan started coaching for the Westside Silver Fins in August of 2003. Since then, he has had the opportunity to coach numerous State top-5 finalists, Far-Western top-5 finalists, and Sectional swimmers. Ryan is extremely dedicated to the success of his swimmers and feels they respond to his dedication with enthusiasm and lots of hard work. Ryan believes that ‘perfect practice makes perfect’ and success in swimming is attributed to consistently applying good technique training. Ryan also feels that if his swimmers can see regular progress in workout sessions and if they are frequently placed in race-type scenarios that they will be much more confident when they step up on the blocks in a meet situation.

Coach Ryan has a contagious passion for the sport of swimming which can be observed on a daily basis by his swimmers and colleagues. Ryan swam for the Goodyear Sharks as a youngster and later for the West Valley Aquatics Club (WSF), Glendale Gauchos and Agua Fria High School.

COACH - Brian Zabel

Hi.  My name is Brian Zabel.  I grew up in Seattle, WA and spent 13 years swimming for the South Snohomish County Dolphins, starting at the age of 5.  My favorite events have always been the butterfly, especially the 200 fly.  Here’s a quick story about why.  When I was just starting in swimming, my family was in Southern California and my parents signed up my older brother and I for a swim camp.  A swimmer by the name of Mark Spitz was helping out at the clinic and to make a long story short, Mark actually taught me how to swim the butterfly.  Now, is it any wonder why I like fly so much?  I still get in the pool from time to time and still love it every time I jump in.  One of the great things about the sport of swimming is that it is a lifetime sport.  I hope that being a member of the Silverfins is only the start of a lifetime of swimming for our team members.  I’m one of the newest members of the Silverfins and very excited to be working with all of our swimmers and coaches.

I moved to Goodyear, AZ about 2 ½ years ago with my wife, Amy, and our two children, Jack and Emma.  We absolutely love it here and I’m thrilled to live, work and coach right here in Goodyear.

COACH - Kristina Campbell

Hi, my name is Kristina Campbell. I am 22 years old and I got married 3 months ago. I am a full time student seeking my degree in Tourism and Recreation Management, and I am the Aquatics Coordinator here at the Southwest Valley Regional YMCA. I have worked here for a little over 3 years and have had the opportunity to not only watch this facility grow, but I’ve been able to watch the YMCA Westside Silver Fins grow, as well.  I recently began assisting in coaching the Black Group.  Having the swimming background and experience that I have, I feel like I can be a strong asset to this team.  I grew up in competitive swimming from 5 yrs old through High School.  I was also a part of the Westside Silver Fins for a little over 3 years, when their home pool was at the Litchfield Park Rec Center. Being on this team helped teach me a lot about what completive swimming is, how to keep your body healthy and hydrated in order to do your personal best for both practices and meets and also a lot about teamwork.  I hope to put some of these things into coaching and hope everyone can learn and gain something from each and every one of us.

COACH
ERIN

I have been working for the Westside Silver Fins for about 2 ½ years under various capacities.  At this time I oversee financial and administrative work for the Silver Fins.

I coached swimming for about 10 years- 4 years as a recreation coach in California, 4 years as a club and high school coach in Arkansas, and 2 years as a club and high school coach in Arizona.

My husband is the freshman football and varsity baseball coach at Verrado High School, and we have one son, Connor, who was born in February of 2008.

I love working for the YMCA Westside Silver Fins and for Matt.  It has been so exciting to see the growth and achievement over the past two years and I look forward to seeing where the Silver Fins go in the future!

COACH - Kara Morelli

Kara Morelli has been an Arizona swimmer since she was 10 years old.  She has swum for Matt Rankin at Phoenix Swim Club and at Texas A&M University, with her best events being the 200 butterfly, 400 IM and 200 backstroke.Kara had this to say: “I believe that you only get out of something what you put in to it, and that's how I have always treated my swimming. I worked hard, swam fast and had fun... and that's what I want for anyone who swims for me or any of the coaches at Westside”.
 

COACH - Cathryn Cline-Casillas

I’m thrilled to get my feet wet again in competitive swimming, as well as, be a member of a great organization. 

A little about me, this is my first year affiliated with the YMCA Westside Silver Fins.  This past summer, I had a lot of fun coaching the YMCA’s summer recreational swim team, the Mighty Mahis.  My swim experience includes competing at the youth age group and high school levels.  I have 5 years coaching experience with the Aviano Sea Dragons.  My swim philosophy is to learn to swim, be safe, and to enjoy the sport of swimming for life.  On the personal side, I’m a military spouse, a mother of a two year old girl, and I am expecting my second child in December.  Professionally, I am an elementary teacher and currently taking courses to gain certification in Physical Education. 

You may contact me thru email at cathrynclinecasillas@yahoo.com or by phone 575-219-2745 or 623-251-7239. See you at the pool!

 Copyright © 2006; YMCA Westside Silver Fins c/o Southwest Valley Regional YMCA :: 2919 N. Litchfield Rd, AZ 85395