In 2017, Head Coach Ed Patton (he/him) retired from his previous career to focus on teaching swimming to kids and adults, not only because of his commitment to water safety in this Land of 10,000 Lakes, but because of his understanding that swimming is a gateway skill to so many other lifelong activities. Immediately prior to joining the Minneapolis Lake Monsters as their first coach and head coach, Coach Ed was a swim instructor and Novice coach for the Minneapolis YWCA Otters, and was the Minneapolis Public Schools swim instructor during the 2023-2024 school year, where he worked with the Physical Education teachers to teach middle school students to swim. Coach Ed is also an avid triathlete.

Coach Kim Ellison (she/her) learned to swim when she was 12 years old and immediately joined a year-round traveling swim team, which continued through high school. Coach Kim lifeguarded, taught swimming, and coached a team at the North Community YMCA when her children were young, and helped coach the North/Henry High School swim teams at Franklin Middle School, where she will be coaching again. In addition to swimming competitively through her high school years, Coach Kim was a member of the Minneapolis YWCA Master’s team until the program closed, and recently competed at the Michigan Masters State Swim Meet. You may find Coach Kim swimming laps at the new V3 Sports swimming pool.

Coach Mori Mayaan (they/he) is a Minneapolis local who has been in the swimming business since high school. Since then, Coach Mori has been committed to providing a fun learning environment, helping youth feel safe and able to grow via swim lessons, lifeguarding, and coaching. He has experience working with all walks of life, and encourages everyone to feel welcome with the team.

Coach Mary Pichler (she/her) is a certified ASCA (American Swimming Coaches Association) Level 2 coach dedicated to fostering the growth and development of swimmers. Her main focus is on helping athletes build a strong foundation in swimming while also encouraging a genuine love for the sport. Coach Mary is also a swim parent who previously served as an Novice and Age Group coach for her kids' previous team.

Coach Taylor Crawford (she/her) has a lot of experience in the water, both as a high school swimmer for the South-Washburn-Roosevelt team for 4 years, and Coach Taylor has also taught swimming at Franklin with V3 Sports, where she has worked for four years and currently coaches their Youth Competitive Swim Training program.

Coach Tallie (she/her) has always loved being in the water and since my parents already had a hard time getting me out of the pool, they signed her up for a competitive swimming program! Coach Tallie swam all throughout middle and high school, gaining some of her best friends, first jobs, and a whole community of people that continues to grow. Coach Tallie is passionate about equity and allowing kids in Minneapolis to experience all of the amazing things she loves about swimming, without the barriers that restrict access. Swimming is so much FUN and Coach Tallie is so excited to bring that energy to our Lake Monsters kids!

Coach January Cook (she/her) started her swimming career when she was 10 years old learning how to swim at the Shoreview YMCA. When she was 13 years old, Coach January began her competitive swimming journey as an 8th grader with the St Paul Central High Girls Swim and Dive Team, shortly after which she joined Riptide Swim Team, and currently swims year round as a part of their senior elite championship group. Throughout her time in the sport, Coach January has gotten the opportunity to work closely with many high-level coaches and hopes to incorporate their techniques into Lake Monsters training. In addition to coaching Lake Monsters, Coach January also coaches the V3 Sports Youth Competitive Swim Training program.

Coach Marina Guin (she/her) started swimming at age 8 for the YMCA Blazers and shortly after joined the Richfield Piranhas Swim Club, where her skills really developed. She swam for the Piranhas until high school when she joined the Washburn Girls Swim and Dive team, where she prioritized her technique and teamwork. Beyond the pool, Coach Marina's connection to water extends to open-water swimming, a skill she picked up while sailing across Lake Superior every summer since she was five years old. Coach Marina is committed to providing an inclusive and growth-focused environment for swimmers of all levels.