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Meet the Coaches and
Trainers
Black and Gold Level
 Clay Pruitt studied at the University of Houston in
the field of Kinesiology with a focus on Exercise Science
and Health Education. He worked his way through school as
Computer Support for Ace Hardware, Office Manager for
Vintage Builders and Assistant Manager for MRI Mexican
Restaurants. His love of swimming has always kept him near
the water he has worked as Lifeguard for Walden, Lake
Houston YMCA, El Dorado County Club, Timber Forest and
finished 7th place in the 1997 State Super Guard Contest.
Clay shared his knowledge of the sport through swim classes
for Glendy’s Water Babies, Lake Houston YMCA and D.S.
Recreational Services. In 1998 and 1999 he had the
opportunity to Coach Water Polo first at Humble and then at
Lee High School. He has a great record as Head Coach first
with Team YES! (USA Swimming) and currently with Treaschwig
Tidal Waves (NWAL Swimming). Clay is a member of Houston
Coaches Association, American Swimming Coaches Association,
USA Swimming, and NWAL Swimming.
White, Black and Gold Level
 Jennifer Watkins has 15 years of competitive swimming
and coaching experience and has been nationally certified
with PFIT ASCM for 6 years. While at the Woodlands swim
team, they successfully won 11 TX age group State
Championships. Jen competed at the Junior Olympics 4 times
in the mile, 400 IM, and 200 fly and in 1986 the women’s
team successfully won Junior Olympics. She competed all 4
years while at Klein high school and placed at the State
Championships. While swimming at the University of Arkansas
she placed in top 8 in the mile and 400 IM at the Southwest
Conference Meet. Not only does Jen pay attention to details
in the pool, she will also condition your swimmer out of the
water as a NEHA STP trainer.
White and Black Level
 Sara Hays began synchronized swimming at the age of
8, where she became nationally ranked. She decided to
compete in speed swimming exclusively at the age of 15. In
high school, she was a 2 time New York State meet qualifier
and finished in the top 10. Sara also was a Sectional winner
in the 200 Freestyle. She was a 16 time League All-Star, 8
time Sectional All-Star, and lead her team to 2 League Team
Championships. Sara was recently inducted into her High
School Hall of Fame. In College, Sara was awarded
Outstanding Freshman. She was also a 4 time qualifier for
the All-Penn Ohio and All-GLIAC conference teams as well as
an 11 time All American. Sara continued swimming after
college through Masters and Corporate Challenge programs in
Ohio and has completed several sprint level Triathlons since
moving to Houston.
 Amber Price began competitive swimming at the age of
6. She set her first record at the age of 8 in the 25 yard
backstroke and qualified for Junior Olympics in 1985. Amber
began teaching swimming lessons in 1990 and became a
certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor in
1993. She accepted a swimming scholarship from the Colorado
School of Mines (CSM) where she set a school record in the
50 yd backstroke. After graduating from CSM in 1997, Amber
became a United States Masters Swimmer and continued to
teach swimming lessons. She has placed nationally in the Top
10 four times and qualified for 6 events in the USMS
National Short Course swim meet in 1999. Amber has been a
top finisher in swim meets held in California, Colorado,
Louisiana, and Texas. She has been a Masters Swim coach at
Kingwood Athletic Club since 2001. Amber enjoys working with
children and adults and strives to provide a fun environment
in which to teach proper swimming techniques.
Developmental and Intermediate Level
 Jan Preston began swimming at the age of 3. She
became involved in competititive swimming in high school
where she placed in the 100 Breaststroke in the state of
Florida. While at LSU she competed on their water polo team.
She continued her education at the University of New Orleans
in the field of Physical Education and Athletic Training.
Jan has thirty years of experience as a swimming instructor,
masters swimmer, assistant swim team coach and Aquatic
Director for the Metairie YMCA. Jan’s desire is to help
every swimmer develop a lifelong passion for the sport of
swimming.
Megan Vance started swimming when she was 6 , taking
lessons from "Mr. Phillip". She loved the water so much that
she began competing in Summer league and eventually began
year round training and competing. As a younger swimmer,
Megan achieved numerous TAGS and Sectional qualifying times.
She also swam for the Kingwood High School Varsity swim
team, achieving Regional Final status . Megan hopes to make
a lasting impression on the youth she instructs, so they can
clearly see the many benefits of swimming.
Alternate Coaches
 Dawn Gillespie grew up swimming, participating in
various water sports, life guarding and teaching swimming
lessons. She has successfully taught babies to adults how to
swim and be safe in and around the water for the past 30+
years with the American Red Cross and volunteered for Rookie
Camp with the MBW Marlins. She holds a degree in Exercise
Science w/Aquatics, Cardiac Rehab and Adaptive Aquatics
Emphasis from the University of Minnesota – Mankato. After
an internship in Corporate Wellness at St. Paul Ramsey
Medical Center she went on to work at the Northwest Racquet,
Swim and Health Clubs as a personal trainer, fitness and
aquatic instructor and manager. Promotion to aquatic
director provided Dawn the opportunity to manage eight
facilities with pools and train all group exercise
instructors for the entire 13 club chain. As the Aquatic
Director for the Kingwood Athletic Club that experience has
allowed her to develop quality aquatic programs for the
entire North East Houston area. An integral part of
programming is the aquatic staff. Her goal is to help every
coach and instructor develop professionally and as a “team”.
Capitalizing on their strengths and improving their
weaknesses in order to help them deliver the best
instruction so that every participant can achieve their
goals.
 Erin Messersmith began competitive swimming at the
age of 5. She has actively participated on competitive swim
and diving teams for over 11 years and has 10 years
lifeguard and swim instructor experience. While at the
University of California at Santa Barbara, Erin obtained a
coaching credential in swimming and diving. After completing
a season of student coaching in diving, Erin went on to
become the assistant swim coach at Murrieta Valley High
School in Murrieta, CA.
 Steve Norton has been involved in competitive
swimming since 1994. While in high school Steve studied
stroke mechanics and adaptability. He also worked with
Special Olympics to help swimmers with special needs attain
their goals. After high school Steve became a Water Safety
Instructor and began working with the United States Air
Force in their aquatic training facilities. Steve developed
programs for start-up USA swim teams sponsored by the Air
Force and coached an adult Masters Swim Team for two years.
In 2001 Steve joined the Aquatic Centre of Tulsa, in Tulsa,
Oklahoma and worked with up-and-coming competitive swimmers
on stroke development and mechanics. Today Steve's career
allows him to join our team and help our swimmers reach new
heights.
 Mark Thomas began competitive swimming at age 5. He
competed through his high school years, qualifying for
Florida Junior Olympics during those years. He has coached
swimming in Florida and is currently coaching Masters. He
competes in US Masters Swimming and has qualified for
Nationals in several events.
BASE Trainers
Jeanine Blumberg
Leah Maddux received her BS in Exercise Science from Abilene
Christian University, her Masters in Science from Texas
Women’s University and is a licensed Physical Therapist in
the state of Texas. She has worked at KAC as a Personal
Trainer and AEA Water Aerobics instructor over the past 5
years. She uses her expertise to train participants on
proper body alignment and joint positioning during all forms
of exercise. Leah strives to listen to participants goals
and trains them according to their weaknesses so that they
have the opportunity to overcome them in order to achieve
results when training.
 Colleen Smiertka has been in the fitness industry for
over 13 years. With certifications in Personal
Training/Group Fitness as well as Sports specific "XT"
training for Athletes. Continuous education and a commitment
to getting results safely should be a priority for any type
of personal training or group training, especially with our
young athletes. Core development, balance and strength
training is the main focus for the NEHA BASE Training
sessions. Training our swimmers with balance, strength and
agility exercises will help improve their technique, form
and times.
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