Dam West Dolphins

My name is Emilie Clarke and I am thrilled to be Dam West Dolphin's head coach! Swimming is my passion as I have spent the last 30 years of my life either competing, teaching, coaching, or just having fun, swimming. If I look familiar, it’s because I grew up as a swimmer on the Dam West Dolphins swim team from 1994-2005. I also competed competitively for the Cherry Creek High School swim team in the early 2000’s.

This is my fourth season as the head coach for the team. Each year, I am gratified by the team's enthusiasm and growth displayed throughout the season. It is my hope I can bring the same spirit and zest for the swim team that I experienced growing up as a Dam West Dolphin. My vision for your swimmer(s) this summer is instilling skills and a good work ethic that promotes lifelong personal growth and achievements. No matter where your swimmer is on their swim team journey, it is my aspiration that they are inspired to persevere struggles, learn from mistakes, and accomplish goals they never thought possible. I believe the mental obstacles we have to overcome in sports are just as important as the physical ones. If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you.

In the off season, I am enjoying my time as a stay at home mom to my three young boys, Barrett, Declan and Graham. Barrett and Declan are official Dolphin team members this year in the 6 and Under age group! Woo-hoo! Here's hoping they enjoy the swim team just as much as their mama! When we’re not at the pool, you can find us walking or biking around the neighborhood when we are visiting our Gigi and Papa in Dam West.

I look forward to meeting you all throughout the summer. Welcome to the team!

Hi Dolphins! I’m heading into my sophomore year at Overland High School. This will be my 11th year swimming on the DW Dolphins (and swimming in general.)  I’ve lived in the Dam West my entire life and I joined the team when I was 5, after my older brother joined the team.  This team and all the people in it will always hold a special place in my heart.  

I was a Junior Coach last year so this will be my first year as an Assistant Coach!  I’ve always been drawn to coaching. When I was younger I would hangout with my coaches while they coached the next practice and in 2022 I was an unofficial "junior junior” coach helping out with the younger kiddos.

When I am not swimming, I like to listen to music and do artistic activities. My summers are mostly dedicated to the swim team and all the events connected to it. I often joke that I live at the pool during the summer.  

Last year was amazing, getting to watch the swimmers grow and learn and overall become more confident in their capabilities, and because of that I want to keep coaching until I age out. I hope to make this swim year as magical for them as it felt to me when I joined. I can’t wait for this swim year!  Go Dolphins!

Hey everyone! My name is Eric Kelly, and I've just graduated high school. Ever since I've been a kid, I've loved math and science, and I hope to major in nuclear or chemical engineering. However, before college, I plan on going on a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

During high school, I was very involved in sports. I ran cross country my freshman and senior years, lettering in my senior year. I also swam and wrestled all four years, lettering every year in both sports. So, I love sports! 

This love for sports was founded on this team. I've been a Dolphin ever since I was 4, and my mom had me in the water several years before that. I have made many, many friends, and have made even more memories. This will be my third year coaching, and I am excited to watch all of the swimmers grow in their swimming abilities, as well as have fun!

This year I will be going into my sophomore year of high school. I go to Smoky Hill High School. I made varsity for soccer and swim. I love playing soccer. I’ve been on the team 4 years and I’ve had a wonderful experience.

Hello! My name is Lea Thompson and this is my 5th year of swimming and my 4th year on Dam West. I’ve swam for MACS for 4 years and went out of state for Arizona Meets these past two summers.

As a freshman I decided to partake in a sport every sport season. I participated in Volleyball in the Fall, Swimming in the winter, and Track in the spring, I was competing Varsity level in swimming and track and lettered in swimming. I’m going into 10th grade of high school and will going into my second year of the International Baccalaureate Organization also known as IB which is a diploma program at Smoky Hill. I currently have GPA of 3.9 unweighted and 4.88 weighted.

My hobbies are piano or really playing any musical instrument and drawing. I’m in orchestra, DECA, and I’m learning Japanese and participated in a competition called the Japan cup where students from all over Colorado and Wyoming can participate and placed 4th overall. I’m hoping to go to college out of the country for architecture as my major, but to also learn graphic design, interior design/decorating, and things like that.

I have worked with people of all ages when it comes to swimming and have babysat in the past. I love meeting more amazing people and can’t wait to coach the kids and for everyone to succeed!!

Micaela has been an assistant coach for the Dam West Dolphins swim team the past three seasons and also has experience swimming competitively for Cherry Creek High School and MACS year-round swimming. She loves working with young kids and is looking forward to helping our 3-6 year old swimmers get "swim team ready" this season. 

When she is not swimming, she typically spends her summers lifeguarding and coaching. In her own words, "I enjoy coaching because I love being able to share my knowledge and passion for swimming with others. I really hope to be able to foster the same love that I have for swimming within the younger swimmers that I coach. It’s so rewarding to be able to work with a swimmer and track how much they improve over time! Also, some of my fondest memories as a young swimmer on the Dam West Dolphins were the mornings that I’d get to spend laughing and joking around with my coaches. I love knowing that I can now do that with my own swimmers and positively impact someone’s life in the same way that my own life was impacted. I’m so excited for this upcoming season!"