Jeff Carlson – Head Coach (Jeffcarlson15@gmail.com)

I began swimming at the age of 6 at Arden Hills, eventually joining the U.S. swim team, turning my summer passion into a full time sport. Around the age of 10 I joined the American River Water Polo Club at Rio Americano, and later played for four years on The Rio Americano High School team, in addition to swimming Varsity all four years.

After high school I was among the coaches of the Arden Hills Otters for a summer, as well as working poolside with future Otters. I currently attend UC Davis, and put my swimming to use as a member of the Triathlon Team, training whenever I can in order to have a successful spring racing season.

As a coach, I think it is highly important to treat every swimmer equally and most importantly, with mutual respect. I hope to see this upcoming season emerge with high spirits, hard work, and most importantly, for everyone involved to have fun.

Scott Hougham – Assistant Coach

"Welcome back Dolphins!!! I am very excited for the opportunity to participate with the team again this summer. Though I am currently a biology student at Sacramento State University, I have been at the Arden Park pool in various capacities every summer since I was born, and I am thrilled to continue that trend. I started off as a little brother watching my big siblings swim, then I fought to stay afloat for a while, and continued transitioning over the years, eventually helping young Dolphins through the learning process that I have so many memories of.

I look forward to being a part of the coaching staff and working with each swimmer. Keep building the excitement of a new season! Go Dolphins!!!"

Julie Calnero – Assistant Coach

I'm currently a junior at Colgate University, located in Hamilton, NY. Although I couldn't be farther from an outdoor pool-friendly environment, I'm still crazy about chlorine. Since following my sister's footsteps and joining the Rio Del Oro Rapids at 5, I've been on pool decks for most of my life. Whether it is swimming, playing water polo, or coaching, being in the water is second nature to me.

I've been coaching since I was 15, and I've learned one of the most important elements of a swim team is the team's spirit. Creating a fun environment makes all the hard work of an individual sport a lot more enjoyable. Aside from all the fun stuff, I think swimming teaches invaluable lessons about meeting personal goals and facing fears. Whether you're scared to dive off the block or you're an Olympian, there are always new milestones to reach when you're a swimmer. Nothing is better than watching your swimmers succeed at something they've worked really hard for. I can't wait to get back and help all my Dolphins reach their goals! See you in May...

Ross Hougham – Swimmer Coach

As residents of Arden Park, my family has enjoyed being "Dolphins" for about 20 years now. I joined the team when I was four years old and immediately loved it - hard to imagine for a child who had to wear goggles in the shower because he didn't like water in his eyes! Nevertheless, I was excited to be part of swimming just like my older brothers and sister; and as I grew older, the water became my second "home." I began helping and then coaching at an early age. This opportunity to pass on my enthusiasm for swimming and be part of people's lives has been a highlight of my growing-up years. For two years now I have been grateful to be part of Arden Hills USA Swimming, where I swam on both the National and Senior teams. This grew my appreciation for both attention to detail and the benefits of hard work and commitment.

Now completing my senior year in high school, I look forward with great anticipation to both coaching and swimming for the Dolphins again this coming summer. Being a swimmer is not just about swimming fast: it's about hard work, habit-building, character and perseverance. Likewise, being part of a team is not all about yourself - it's about camaraderie, appreciation, and concern for others. I eagerly await working together with the coaches and fellow swimmers toward these ends. I look forward to making the mindset of achieving goals through hard work a reality this summer at the pool. See you there!

Tess Calnero – Swimmer Coach

I am 17 years old and have been a high school student at Rio Americano for almost four years now. I will be graduating this June and attending college in the Fall. Over the years I have participated water polo, cheerleading, and many other athletics. No sport has stuck with me like swimming.

I was afraid of the water as a young kid; however, once I overcame my fears and started swim team as a 6 year old, I have never had a summer away from the pool deck. I swam for the Rio Del Oro Rapids up until two summers ago. Last year I worked for Arden Park as a lifeguard and swim lesson instructor.

I am very excited to say that I am now an AP Dolphin assistant coach! My two older sisters were coaches last year, and I occasionally helped out with the team. It is so exciting to be joining the Dolphins and also to be working with my older sister Julie. I'm ready to get back in the pool and start this swim season!

Wally Harmon – Swimmer Coach

I started swimming for the AP Dolphins when I was 7 and last year I played winter water polo with American River Water Polo for the first time. I love both sports and played goalie on the freshman water polo team at Rio last semester. I am getting ready to swim for Rio now. My favorite stroke is breaststroke. I loved helping out with the younger Dolphins last summer and can't wait to get in the pool with them again this year.

Lauren Calnero

I spent my childhood summers poolside at the near by Rio Del Oro Racquet Club.  I was an assistant swim coach for Rio Del Oro in 2001, 2002, and 2003.  I grew up in Arden Park and went to Rio Americano High School, where I swam for four years and played water polo for three years on the Women’s Varsity Teams.  After graduating from Rio, I was asked to join the USA Women’s National Youth Team to play water polo and then also played water polo in college for the Golden Bears at UC Berkeley, where I recently graduated.   I have also coached water polo locally for the American River Water Polo Club.

As a coach, I love to teach my swimmers how to refine and develop their individual technique, essentially assisting them in learning beautiful, textbook-like strokes.

GO DOLPHINS!