Swim Lessons in Boston at Charles River Aquatics

Our Staff

Executive Director
	Marilyn Wriede Executive Director of Charles River Aquatics. She oversees the entire program: swim lessons, swim camp and the swim team. Marilyn can be reached at 617-777-3556. Marilyn received a BS Degree in Pre-Med from Mary Washington College (when it was still a college and not a university) and attended Columbia University Grad School in Chemical Biology. She raised three children, who all swam competitively. Daughter Stephanie is now the Costin Family Head Coach for Harvard Women's Swimming and Diving Team, and son Greg is Head Coach of the Peddie Varsity Swim Team and the Peddie Aquatic Association, as well as Director of Competitive Swimming.
Director of Community Relations and Special Projects
	Kristin Santry E-mail: kristin@charlesriveraquatics.com Kristin Santry received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Merrimack College and then went on to pursue a Master of Science degree in Management from Lesley University. Kristin joined the CRA staff in March of 2010 and has focused on developing community relations and future program expansion.
Swim Lessons/Swim Camp
Aquatics Director
	Tom Wallace Email: tom@charlesriveraquatics.com Primary Responibilities: Tom oversees all swim lessons, summer camp, recess weeks, clinics, and any special program CRA offers throughout the year. He is also the Personnel Director and Deck Supervisor. Background: Tom Wallace started swimming competitively at the age of three in CA. In 1976 he competed at the Olympic Trials in the 1500 meter freestyle. Because of his love of the sport, Tom is actively competing for Cambridge Masters Swim Club. Tom graduated from Humboldt State University in CA with a BS in Resource Planning and a BA in Journalism. After graduating, he became an officer in the US Air Force. When Tom retired, he was named the Aquatics Coordinator of the Lohse Family YMCA in Tucson, AZ. In 2006 Tom moved to MA and became the Aquatics Director at Waltham YMCA, before joining CRA as Aquatics Director in 2007.
Senior Assistant Aquatics Director
	Rachel Hamilton Email: rachel@charlesriveraquatics.com Primary Responsibilities: Rachel is the Human Resource Director in charge of hiring and mentoring of all personnel in CRA’s teaching philosophy and work ethic. Rachel is also the Activities Director for Summer Camp and Recess Weeks. Her other responsibilities include overseeing pool deck and teaching swim lessons. Background: Rachel was a competitive swimmer both in grammar school and high school. After graduating from the American International School in Vienna, Austria, Rachel enrolled at the University of Maryland. When she moved to MA, she taught swim lessons at local YMCA’s and coached a swim team. In September ’08 Rachel joined CRA as an instructor. In January ’09, she added a new title, Camp Activity Coordinator. Because of her enthusiasm, organizational skills, and her dedication to CRA, Rachel was named Assistant Aquatics Director during the 2009 camp season.
Senior Assistant Aquatics Director
	Jamie MacDougall Email: jamie@charlesriveraquatics.com Primary Responsibilities: Jamie is the Human Resource Director in charge of in-water training of all new employees as well as staff scheduling. Jamie is the Communications Director and the Director of the Navigator Camp. His other responsibilities include overseeing pool deck and teaching swim lessons. Background: Jamie honed his swimming skills at Bryant University where he was named captain of his swim team in his senior year. His best stroke was butterfly, which he learned in college. Jamie graduated from Bryant University in RI with a major in Communications and a minor in Psychology. He was a substitute teacher for Waltham Public Schools before joining CRA.
Assistant Aquatics Director
	Cristina Manzano Email: cristina@charlesriveraquatics.com Primary Responsibilities: Cristina is in charge of Roster Setup, the CRA Newsletter, and the Instructor Challenge. During the spring, Cristina will be in charge of the Youth Biathlon. Her other responsibilities include overseeing pool deck and teaching swim lessons. Background: Cristina started swimming at the age of three and continued swimming through high school. She is from California, where swimming is a way of life. She believes the East Coast should feel the same way, too! By the time Cristina was fifteen, she was teaching swim lessons. She joined CRA as a part time employee in the fall of 2010 and was hired full time in the fall of 2011. Cristina graduated from Boston College with a B.A. Degree in Communications and English. She hopes to attend law school in a few years.
Assistant Aquatics Director
	Tricia Argentina Email: tricia@charlesriveraquatics.com Primary Responsibilities: Tricia is in charge of Private Series and Lifeguard Certification Classes. Her other responsibilities include overseeing pool deck and teaching swim lessons. Background: Tricia started her competitive swimming career at the age of 5 with the Badger Swim Club in Larchmont, New York. She was a Junior National Qualifier in the 200 butterfly and a part of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst Division 1 team from 1996-2000. After graduating UMASS Amherst with a degree in History and Latin American Studies, Tricia was the Head Swim Coach and Aquatic Director for Club Fit in Briarcliff, New York. In 2007 she became the Head Swim Coach and Head Special Needs Instructor for the JCC in Scarsdale, New York. Tricia just relocated to Boston and is very excited to be at part of the Charles River Aquatics.
Senior Instructor
	Amy Medico Email: amy@charlesriveraquatics.com Primary Responsibilities: Amy is in charge of Roster Move-ups and the Wall of Fame. Her other responsibilities include teaching swim lessons. Background: Amy's involvement in aquatics began when she joined a synchronized swimming team in high school. She continued competing at the collegiate level on Boston University's club team. After graduating, Amy was involved in synchronized swimming as a coach at BU and as a judge at local competitions. Amy has taught swimming lessons with YMCAs, the Girl Scouts, and most recently acted as Waterfront Director at an overnight camp. Amy holds degrees from Boston University in sculpture and Studio Art Teaching. Before joining Charles River Aquatics, Amy worked as an art teacher in northern New Hampshire.
Senior Instructor
	Adrian Negenborn Email: adrian@charlesriveraquatics.com Background: From the age of five, Adrian swam competitively for the Lake Erie Silver Dolphins in Cleveland, Ohio. He also earned varsity letters in high school swimming. Before moving to MA, he worked at various swim clubs in Ohio teaching and coaching swimming. After moving to MA, he was named Aquatics Director at the Longwood Cricket Club in Chestnut Hill. Adrian received an MFA in painting from Massachusetts College of Art in the spring of 2010. Prior to working for Charles River, Adrian was a painting instructor at Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
Swim Team
Head Coach - CRA Dragons
	Chris Sheppard Email: chris@charlesriveraquatics.com Primary Responsibilities: Chris oversees the entire swim team. He is in charge of hiring all coaches and training the coaching staff. Chris is also the Head Coach of the National and Junior Team. Background: Chris was taught to swim when he was three years old. He ranked nationally in the 200 meter backstroke during high school and was a US National qualifier. He coached Liquid Assets New England, a masters team, before joining CRA in 2005 as the Aquatics Director. In 2006, Chris was named Head Coach of the Charles River Aquatics Dragons. Chris attended the University of Arkansas Little Rock.
Challenger Team Coach
	Andrew Rogers Email: andrew@charlesriveraquatics.com Primary Responsibility: Head Coach Challenger Team Background: Background: Andrew swam for the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth from 1996-2000 and was named captain of his swim team in his senior year. He was the Collegiate Assistant Swim Coach at UMASS before joining the coaching staff of Shawmut Aquatic Club in 2002. In 2009 Andrew was named the Challenger Coach at CRA. In 2002 Andrew graduated from UMASS with a degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering. He is currently a teacher in the Natick Public School District and is pursuing a Master’s Degree at Cambridge College in mathematics.
Voyager Team Coaches
	Ellen Caruso Email: ellen@charlesriveraquatics.com Primary Responsibility: Head Coach Voyager Team Background:Ellen has been swimming competitively since the age of 5. She was a member of the Niagara University Swim Team from 2001-2005 and specialized in the distance events. In 2005 Ellen joined the staff of CRA as an instructor. She moved into the position of Assistant Aquatics Director and Coach of the Explorer Team in 2007. In 2009 Ellen was named Head Coach of the Voyager Team. Ellen received a BA Degree in Elementary Education from Niagara University in 2005, and her Masters Degree in Education from Lesley College in 2006. In 2011, she received a Certificate in Special Education.
	Brian Donohue Primary Responsibilities: Brian will be working as Assistant Coach of the Voyager Team. Background: Brian competed for Curl-Burke Swim Club before attending Mary Washington University, where he swam on the varsity team. He has eight years of experience with swim instruction, club and high school coaching. Brian holds a degree in English from University of Mary Washington and works as a journalist in the Boston Area.
Explorer Team Coaches
	Matt Rickett Primary Responsibility: Coach of the Explorer Team. Matt Rickett has a very extensive swimming background. He started his career at a club in Portland, Maine, and continued at Boston University. Competing at the highest level meets, including NCAA Division 1 Championships and US Nationals, Matt is a freestyle and butterfly specialist. Matt brings to CRA a passion for the sport of swimming and a desire to work with swimmers of all levels. Matt received his BA Degree from Boston University. He majored in Film and Television.