Our Coaches
Carly Lobdell
Meet the founder Carly Lobdell! Carly graduated from UGA with a degree in Marketing and International Business as well as a minor in Spanish. She is very passionate about swimming and has been coaching for 8 years! She has been swimming since age 5 and was a coach on her neighborhood team, the Laurel Springs Piranhas during high school. She is excited to pursue her passion for teaching everyone to swim. Her favorite part of the job is bonding with her students. What makes her proud is seeing her once timid students’ confidence shine!
Caroline Prince
Meet Coach Caroline Prince! She is a sophomore at Oconee County High School and has been a competitive swimmer for 8 years. She started coaching 2 summers ago for the Oconee County Stingrays and loved it; so she is super excited to be teaching all year! In her free time, she loves to travel, hang out with friends, and swim of course. Caroline is excited to teach kids safety in the water and watch them make progress and become more independent and comfortable with each lesson!
Theresa Gonzalez
Hey Everyone! I’m Coach Theresa and I am incredibly excited to be joining the Oconee Flippers coaching staff. I have a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in Human Development and Family Studies and I have 20+ years of experience working with children (of all ages) in a variety of settings. I have been a student teacher, assistant teacher, babysitter, nanny, soccer coach, dance teacher, and Preschool Lead Teacher.
Growing up I juggled a full schedule of activities and sports that included swim, dance, and soccer. I spent many of my summers swimming for a local summer swim team and I swam after school at my local Y. I also swam for two years with a local club swim team and I began swimming on my high school swim team when I was in 7th grade. I continued to swim off and on during high school and into my first year of college. I played club soccer through my teen years and then went on to play soccer for two years in college.
I strive to build a connection and relationship with each child with whom I have the privilege of working. My goal is to provide a positive and welcoming environment for each child as they learn to swim and learn how to make safe choices around water. I also have experience working with children with developmental differences. I believe swimming is an important life skill and I am looking forward to working with your children
Kate Thomsen
Kate has been a dedicated swim coach for 20 summers, working with swimmers of all ages and skill levels—from infants as young as 4 months to adults in their 80s. With a passion for water safety and a special talent for helping anxious swimmers overcome their fears, Kate creates a supportive and confidence-building environment in and around the water.
A former state-level high school swimmer and collegiate club competitor, Kate brings experience and enthusiasm to every lesson. Now, as a parent to a 6-year-old daughter, they find even more joy in sharing a love for swimming and ensuring that every swimmer, regardless of age or ability, feels safe, capable, and empowered in the water.
Gaby Delliponti
Meet Coach Gaby Delliponti! She graduated from UGA in 2022 & swam competitively most of her life. When she’s not swimming she manages hospitality for the Georgia Theatre & works on music with friends! Her favorite part about coaching is helping kids build confidence while having fun in the water!!
Savannah Pakebusch
Meet Coach Savannah Pakebusch! Coach Savannah is a third-year Political Science and Religion honor student at the University of Georgia. She is originally from Argyle, TX where she has been coaching individuals with special abilities for the Special Olympics for the past 8 years. She is so excited to help kids gain confidence in the water! Her favorite part about teaching swim is watching the kids grow stronger every week and seeing their pride in their personal accomplishments!
Kailyn Fallows
Meet Coach Kailyn Fallows! Kailyn is a student at Oconee County High School, going into her junior year. Kailyn loves working with kids, and has a background volunteering at schools and working at her church day camp! You can find Kailyn the happiest spending time with friends and family, making cherished memories. Kailyn hopes to help the kids get comfortable with the water while also ensuring the parents of their safety. She can’t wait to work with kids and see them thrive in the water!
Caleb Heiple
Hi everyone, I’m Coach Caleb! Caleb graduated from UGA with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology but is currently focusing on his career in the music industry, playing with several local bands and studying audio engineering at Tweed Recording. Caleb gained his swim instruction experience while working as a WSI, LGI, and Lifeguard at several pools for Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation throughout high school. His favorite part about coaching is seeing kids take concepts they’ve learned and apply them to the outside world, showing that they’re gaining more confidence in the water and that the instruction is resonating with the student.
Lauren McGarl
Hi, I’m Coach Lauren!! I am a second-year student at UGA studying psychology and I’m from Cumming, GA. I love working with kids and I’m so excited to get to know and work with everyone and watch them gain confidence in the water. I’m super excited about this opportunity and can’t wait to build a fun relationship with these kids while watching them grow and become great swimmers!
Aubree-Clare Flores
Hi I’m Coach Aubree-Clare and I’m so excited to be joining the Oconee Flippers team! I’m a senior at Jefferson High school and swam varsity all 4 years for my High school team. I have been competitively swimming for 13 years, and plan to swim in college! During my free time usually watching movies or coloring on my iPad! I have helped with swim lessons in the past, and I’m extremely excited to help kids be more confident in the water!
McLaren Wright
Hi, I am Coach McLaren. I am a rising Senior at North Oconee. I love working with kids and watching them grow as individuals! I have worked with Infants through preschoolers in my ECE internships and lifeguarding. I plan to pursue a degree in pediatric therapy. I am so excited to join Oconee Flippers and see each child become more confident in the water!
Kathrine Servaes
Hey, y’all my name is Coach Kathrine and I’m pumped to be joining the Oconee Flippers team!! I am a third-year student studying Economics and Spanish at the University of Georgia, and I have been a swimmer ever since I can remember! I swam competitively with Swim Atlanta and at Walton High School and have also been lifeguarding since I was 15! I am a big fan of all things Food Network, cooking independently, and adventuring to new fun spots to eat! I also enjoy a good outdoor excursion with friends. I am excited to meet you all and help alongside our swimmers’s journeys to greater confidence in the pool!
Kaitlyn Lentz
Meet Coach Kaitlyn!! Kaitlyn has multiple years of swim team experience and was a lifeguard for 5 years before moving to Athens. She has a passion for kiddos and helping them achieve their very best swimming! You can catch Kaitlyn either studying for her nursing board exam or shopping at TJMaxx. She is very excited to meet all of the smiling faces!
Ansley Halbach
Hi! My name is Ansley Halbach, and I’m so excited to be joining the Oconee Flippers team! I have swam competitively for 14 years for the Athens Bulldogs Swim Club. I am currently a sophomore at Pepperdine University, where I swim at the collegiate Division 1 level and am studying political science. I love helping kids become more comfortable in the water and spreading love for the sport that has brought me so much joy!
Emilee McRorie
Meet Coach Emilee McRorie! Emilee is a student at Prince Avenue Christian School. She is going into her junior year and has a background of working at her church camps. You can find Emilee spending time with friends and family or traveling. Coaching allows me to share my love for the water and watch the kids grow more comfortable with every lesson.
Tessa Steger
Hi! My name is Tessa Steger and I’m so excited to join the Oconee Flippers team! I am a rising junior at North Oconee, and my dream is to swim in college. I have been swimming competitively for 7 years, and I am on the North Oconee state team. In my free time I like to read, thrift, and paint. I have coached for my summer league team in the past and I cannot wait to continue to help kids feel more comfortable in the water!
Lindsay Young
Hi! I’m Coach Lindsay and I’m thrilled to be joining the Oconee Flippers team! In addition to coaching, I will also be supporting the team with administrative work. I recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Psychology. My background includes working as a youth soccer coach, a youth sports medicine trainer, and a licensed youth referee. I’m passionate about supporting children’s development through sports and athletics, and I can’t wait to bring that energy to Oconee Flippers!
Mikayla Schuster
Hey I’m Mikayla, and I’m excited to be joining the Oconee Flippers team this summer! I recently graduated from the University of Georgia and will be starting my career as a second-grade teacher this fall. I’ve always had a passion for working with kids, whether it’s been through summer camps, tutoring, or now teaching swim lessons. I’m excited to bring my energy and love for teaching into the pool to help kids grow their confidence and skills in the water!
Sydney Singer
Hey guys my name is Sydney Singer I’m a currently getting my BFA in Musical Theatre from Point Park University! I have been teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding for 5 years now! I’m very passionate about helping kids get more comfortable in the pool. I can’t wait to start with the Oconee Flippers!
Ella Hudgens
Meet Coach Ella Hudgens! Ella is a junior at Oconee county high school. Ella loves working with kids and has a background in interning at school and coaching kids in soccer. You can find Ella playing soccer or spending time with her family. Ella hopes to help every kid improve in swimming and feel safe and comfortable in the water.
