Coaches
Kristin joins the Swim Waco team with a background in competitive swimming for 11 years and teaching/coaching a summer swim league as a teenager. She loves seeing kids grow more confident in the water and hopes every swimmer she teaches will gain lifelong skills to be safe, strong and confident. Kristin is married and has two young daughters along with a cat with the hopes to get a dog soon. Outside of the pool she enjoys listening to podcasts about health and theology.
Darby recently joined the Swim Waco team and has spent the past three years working at a residential youth summer camp in North Carolina where she managed their aquatics program. Darby loves watching kids surprise themselves as they master new skills and grow in confidence in the water- especially when it’s something they never thought they could do! Her hope is that every child gains trust in the water, learning that their bodies are strong, capable, and made to float and move with ease. Darby is involved at Antioch Community Church and enjoys rock climbing, spending all the time she can get in the water, and spending time with her friends.
Ben joined the Swim Waco team in 2023. He has worked and volunteered with kids for the past 14 years, whether at summer camps in Texas or at church in the kids ministry. He and his wife have two kids of their own who love to swim. For Ben and his family, Water = Fun! That could be a pool, lake, river or ocean. He hopes to teach kids that swimming can be safe and fun and that they are capable of being in control while swimming. He wants each kid to feel proud of what they’ve learned on their journey to becoming a better swimmer. When they’re not in the pool, you can find them at parks, local restaurants, Baylor events, and community events.
Danielle’s heart for teaching comes from her experience as a mom of three and her love of supporting families as kids learn important life skills. She has spent years cheering on swimmers from the sidelines while her own children took lessons at Swim Waco and loves the joy of watching kids overcome challenges and gain confidence in the water. She is especially passionate about helping families who need extra support and encouragement along the way.
Outside the pool Danielle enjoys reading, gardening, and trying new hobbies. She hopes to spend more time paddle boarding, playing pickleball and joining her husband for a round of golf.
Annabella has been swimming for as long as she can remember and began competitive swimming at age seven. In high school she was on the swim team and water polo team, she taught swim lessons for six years, and served as an assistant coach for a summer league in her hometown. She loves seeing students grow in confidence and watching the excitement when a new skill clicks. Her hope is that every swimmer develops both a love and respect for the water while building lifelong safety skills.
Annabella is a college student majoring in Health Science with plans to become an Athletic Trainer. Outside the pool she enjoys reading, walking, cooking new recipes, and cheering on sports. Originally from California, she loves the beach and has two black labs named Paisley & Gracie.
In 2019, I started Swim Waco with my sister, teaching lessons in my own backyard pool. What began as a small dream has grown into a team of passionate instructors who care deeply about helping children, parents, and caregivers feel equipped and confident in and around the water. Our mission is simple: to give families the tools for a lifetime of fun and safety in the water.
Beyond teaching lessons, I love working alongside parents to troubleshoot their child’s unique challenges, bringing engaging water safety, CPR and First Aid presentations to schools and parent groups, and training the next generation of exceptional swim instructors. But most of all, I love getting to know the incredible families in our community. As I raise my own children alongside yours, it’s a true honor to walk this journey together-supporting one another and watching our kids grow into capable, caring, and responsible young people, both in the water and out.
Mariah has volunteered with the kids ministry at her church on Sunday mornings since she was young and is excited to be teaching kids how to swim with Swim Waco! She loves making memories with friends and family in the water and wants to equip kids to have fun and be skilled in the water as well. Mariah plays the violin, acts on stage and loves to read.
Kathryn has spent her Sunday mornings volunteering in the preschool classes at her church and many evenings/weekends babysitting in her free time. Kathryn loves to travel and learn about new places. Her favorite place she’s been is Scotland. She joined the Swim Waco team in 2024 with hopes to help kids develop a love for the water and experience how fun the water can be. She enjoys swimming as a sport and likes learning fun tricks in the water.
