Meet Our Coaches!

Private Lessons Available (Information Below)

Thomas Benefield, Head Coach

Thomas is looking forward to bringing back his swim experiences and enthusiasm to the Barracudas! Thomas grew up swimming at Pangborn Pool starting at age 7. He was hooked and swam 5 years at Lakeside High School.  When his daughters started summer swim, he was super excited and happy to be back at the pool on Tuesday nights cheering the whole team on!  Thomas has been a 5th grade teacher at Trinity School for the past 7 years. Before that he was a teacher in DeKalb Schools for 18 years. 

Natalie Rotolo, Assistant Coach

For Private Lessons: natalierotolo01@gmail.com or 404-884-5353

Natalie has been a part of the Barracuda Nation since she was 6 years old and swam year round for 5 years. She graduated from Lakeside High School and now attends The University of Georgia. She is looking forward to another season coaching the Barracudas!

Josh Armour, Support Coach

For Private Lessons: jjarmour2003@gmail.com or 470-725-1395

Josh has swam for the Barracudas since he was 5 years old and was a coach-in-training for the last two summers. Josh is finishing his junior year at Woodward Academy, where he has been a member of the swim team and is captain of the Varsity Swim and Dive team this year. He is excited to be coaching the Barracudas this summer.

Ramona Benefield, Support Coach

Ramona has swam for 14 years and 4 years was for the Barracudas. She graduated from Druid Hills High School and is currently attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Ramona is excited about coaching for the Barracudas.

Caroline Evans, Support Coach

For Private Lessons: carolinegevans@gmail.com or 404-630-0544

Caroline has been a Barracuda since she was 6 years old and has been swimming year round for Dynamo since she was 8. She also teaches swim lessons to kids of all different ages at Dynamo Swim Club. She is a rising Junior at Lakeside High School, where she has competed on the Varsity swim team for the past 2 years. Caroline is delighted to join the coaching staff this summer.

Olivia Rotolo, Support Coach

For Private Lessons: olrotolo@gmail.com or 404-973-7557

Olivia has been a Barracuda since she was 4 and has been a year round swimmer at Dynamo since she was 6. She has competed at county, state, and regional levels through year round swimming and is thrilled to join the coaching staff for the Barracudas. Olivia is finishing her junior year at Lakeside High School and looking forward to a great swim season this summer.

Private Swim Lessons

For younger kids and those just learning to swim, swim lessons will be taught with parent participation due to COVID precautions. Parents will be in the water with their child and the coach will provide instruction from outside the pool. This allows the child to still receive meaningful instruction in a safe format.

For those looking to sharpen technique and learn new skills with previous ability to swim, no adult assistance is needed. However, coaches may still provide instruction from outside the water or with a safe distance. (Note: children under the age of 8 must have an adult present)

Reservations: 

· Similar to pool time slot reservations, courtreserve will be used to schedule lessons with each coach 

· Lessons will be listed as a separate event from member swim

· Lessons will be offered at fixed times throughout the week. Reach out to a coach individually for questions or if times offered do not fit your schedule 

Rates: $30 per half-hour session

Swim Team Coaches

We are all set for the 2021 season. Keep it in mind next year if you are interested. Are you a high school upperclass or college student interested in being a Junior/Support Coach? (Must be at least 16 years of age by May). Complete this Barracuda Support Coach Application.docx Coaches for this paid position are limited.

Coaches in Training (CIT) -Unpaid

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 we will not be hosting "Little Cudas" this summer, however, the coaches may be looking for a few extra hands to help with the younger swimmers during meets. 

We'll be looking to secure about 6 Current Barracuda swimmers that will be instrumental in supporting the "Little 'Cudas" program, assisting with 6 & under practices and on-going coach support. These Barracudas will continue to swim competitively for the team but take on new responsibilities alongside the coaches particularly with the younger swimmers.

This is an unpaid position.