Stephen J Pickell
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Head Coach of Socal Aquatics
Head Coach of Senior / Varsity Groups
Was a two time Olympian (1976 / 1980) and won a Silver
Medal For Canada in the 400 Medley Relay in the 1976
Olympics. Set two world records in the 100 SCM
Backstroke and 100 SCM Buttterfly in 1977. Seven time
All-American, NCAA Champion and Team Captain at the University of
Southern California.
Began coaching swimming at USC in 1981 while going to
graduate school. For the last 8 years he has been coaching
swimming and water polo at Foothill High
School. Current coach member of USA Swimming
and is a ASCA Level 2 Coach.
When not coaching Steve is managing the family
insurance business and spending time with his wife,
Shelley and his four sons, Blake, Nick, Paul and Cooper.
Vickie Oland
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Head Coach Developmental
Program & Black Group
Coach Vickie was born and raised in Santa Ana,
California. She graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1974 after
playing varsity tennis and swimming varsity all four years. She
then continued her swimming endeavors at Saddleback Junior College
for two years earning the job of Team Captain her second year. She
placed in finals at the State Championships both years. Vickie
earned her AA degree in Psychology in 1977 from Saddleback
College. After twenty years of working and raising her three
children Vickie returned to college at Cal State Fullerton and
graduated Cum Laude with a degree in psychology in
2000.
Most of Vickie’s work experience has revolved around
children. She worked at Blue Buoy swim school for four summers
during college. She coached age group swimming at Socal Aquatics,
her club team, from 1975 until 2002. She coached two national
record holders and numerous National top 16 swimmers and Junior
Olympic champions. She has coach the Foothill Girl’s Varsity
swim team for three years. Currently she works at Aqua Wave swim
school in Foothill Ranch. Vickie is a coach member of United States
Swimming and an ASCA level 3 professional Coach.
All three of Vickie’s children swam for Socal and
attended Foothill High School participating in the aquatics
programs. Bryan now plays baseball in the minor leagues for the San
Diego Padres. Kevin is a graduate of Redlands University where he
majored in Asian studies and Government. Amber is a Junior at
Stanford University and playing water polo. Vickie’s husband
Rick is Vice President of Finance at Smith and Noble in Corona, Ca.
and is very involved in youth sports in Tustin.
Vickie’s favorite hobby is reading and keeping up
with the busy lives of her children.
Ben Dowswell
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Coach of the Pre-Senior
Group
Ben was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
A recent graduate of Minnesota State University where he
swam varsity and earned a BSc in Exercise Physiology. Swam
competitively for 14 years. Ben is the current MSU record
holder in the 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly.
Also a ten time NCAA II All-American and a two-time NCAA II
medalist in 100 fly and 100 backstroke. Competed in the 100
butterfly and 100 freestyle at the 2008 Candian Olympic Trials,
placing 23rd in the 100 butterfly.
Began coaching in 2004 and has coached with the BCSSA
(British Columbia Summer Swimming Association) for 7 seasons.
Current ASCA Level II coaching certifiication.
When not coaching, Ben enjoys riding his motorcycle, exploring new
places, camping, surfing, mountain biking, and enjoying the
Southern California sun!
Kyle Brawley
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Assistant Coach
Pre-Senior / Senior / Varsity Group
Varsity swimmer / water polo
player for Tustin high school. Part of the 2005 Century
League
Championship Team. Swam in CIF in
the 4 x 100 relay. 2nd team all league for water
polo.
I have taught swim lessons through
the Tustin Unified School District for 4 years. For the last two
years I have been the Junior Varsity Swim and Water Polo coach at
Tustin High School.
When I am not coaching I enjoy
spending time with my younger siblings Amanda, Connor, and Shannon.
I also love to go surfing, swimming, and fishing.
John Wright
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Coach of the Gold Group
Tim Busch
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Assistant Coach of the
Gold Group
Tim has been a dedicated SOCAL swimmer for over twelve
years. In 2005 and 2006, he helped coach the summer
program. Tim is also a lifeguard and swim instructor for the
City of Irvine.
He graduated from Mater Dei High School in 2009. Tim was the
captain of the swim team there his senior year after his fourth
year on the varsity team. He Swam in CIF and broke a Mater Dei
record with the help of his relay team in the 200 Medley
Relay.
Alexandra DeLaCampa
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Assistant Coach of the Black
Group
Swam for Socal
Aquatics in the late 1990’s. Played water polo for Socal
Water Polo for ten years (1996-2006). Was part of Foothill Varsity
Water Polo team for four years (2002-2006). Won Two Division 1
Championships (2002/2004). Swam
for Foothill Junior Varsity/Varsity Team with Coach Vicki in
High School. Currently starting my senior year at California
Baptist University, played Water Polo at the collegiate level.
Majoring in Liberal Studies/Speech Therapy/US and European History.
In my spare time I work at Old Navy, I like to spend time
traveling, reading, watching TV and hanging out with friends and
family.
Pristine S Moran
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Coach of the Starfish
Group
Alex Farraro
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Coach of the Starfish
Group
Laurie Yorba
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Coach of the Minnows
Group
I have been at this aquatic gig for most of my life. I began
assisting with the Red Cross- Learn to Swim Program when I was just
12 years old. I competed in an age group swim program from
11-16 yrs old. Became a life guard and head swim coach of
that same team at the age of 18. We won the City of Phoenix
Championship my 2nd year coaching. I moved to Orange County
and began teaching swimming at Blue Buoy Swim School and continued
for close to 20 years. I also spent one winter in Australia
training swim instructors to teach children under the age of 5 to
swim. And spent some time at Aqua Wave Swim
School.
I coached Irvine Aquatics (before they mirged with Novas),
head coach of Tustin Meadows Dolphins, Los Caballeros 8 & under
coach, ORCA, La Quinta High, Mater Dei, and Villa Park.
When I am not coaching I am a Special Ed Teacher for an
elementary school in Fountain Valley. I spend my free time
SCUBA diving or doing yoga.
I am single with one son who is also a swim and water polo
coach.
Heather Weir
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Assistant Coach of the
Minnows Group
I started aquatic activites in the "mommy and me" program at
Australian Swim School in Tustin. As I got older I swam
competitively with the team, then swam for SOCAL for 4
years. At 10 years old I began playing waterpolo with Ed
Reynolds. In high school I swam with Coach Vickie and
played on the varsity water polo team for four years
(2002-2006). The waterpolo team won CIF title in 2002
and 2004.
This coming fall I will be attending Cal Poly Pomona in pursuance of a
Biology major. I plan on being a Veterinarian.
Currently I also work at a law firm in Irvine, and as a
volunteer as a leader with a Christian Club called YoungLife.
Brandon Zwirner
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