Team

Ravena Neureuter

Coach

Coach Ravena brings dedication, leadership, and heart to the pool. A proud military veteran, Ravena embodies discipline, resilience, and teamwork—values she carries into every lesson and practice. As a swim mom herself, she understands the trust families place in their children@apos;s coaches and is deeply committed to creating a safe, encouraging, and supportive learning environment.

Ravena is passionate about teaching children how to swim, emphasizing water safety, proper technique, and confidence in the water. She believes every swimmer has potential and works patiently with athletes at all levels to help them grow—not only as swimmers, but as individuals.

Her coaching style balances structure with positivity, motivating swimmers to challenge themselves while celebrating progress along the way. Ravena takes pride in helping athletes build strong fundamentals, develop endurance, and gain the confidence needed to reach their personal goals in and out of the pool.

Carlyn Barnes

Coach

Coach Carlyn has been coaching for approximately one year and brings energy, encouragement, and a genuine love for working with young athletes to the pool deck. She is passionate about building strong relationships with swimmers and believes that trust and connection are key to athlete growth and confidence in the water.

Carlyn focuses on helping swimmers develop and improve their skills through positive reinforcement, patience, and consistent support. Her coaching style emphasizes both skill progression and personal encouragement, creating a fun, motivating environment where swimmers feel supported as they learn and grow.

Elena Baerga

Coach

Elena has always had a deep love for the water and has been swimming her entire life. She competed in swimming throughout high school, where she developed strong technical skills and a solid foundation in competitive swimming.

As an assistant coach, Elena is passionate about teaching swimmers proper technique and sharing the skills she has learned over the years. She finds great joy in watching swimmers grow—not only in strength and ability, but also in confidence and self-belief in the water.

Elena is dedicated to creating a positive, encouraging environment where swimmers feel supported, challenged, and excited to improve. Her enthusiasm for swimming and genuine connection with athletes make her a valued member of the Jacksonville NC Swim coaching team.

Crawford Thomas

Coach

Crawford has been swimming his entire life and brings a lifelong passion for the sport into his coaching. His deep experience in the water allows him to connect with swimmers at all levels and help them build strong fundamentals and confidence.

As a swim coach, Crawford is dedicated to teaching children not only how to swim, but how to enjoy the process of learning and improving. He believes in passing along a genuine love of swimming while helping athletes develop proper technique, water safety skills, and self-confidence.

Crawford's positive and encouraging coaching style creates a welcoming environment where swimmers feel supported, motivated, and excited to grow—both in and out of the pool.

Brandon Gaddis

Coach

Brandon is a dedicated member of the Jacksonville NC Swim inc. team, bringing leadership, service, and professionalism to every lesson. An active-duty Marine, EMT, certified lifeguard, and MCWIS-certified instructor, Brandon has built his career around protecting others and helping them grow—both in and out of the water.

Brandon is passionate about teaching swimmers of all ages how to swim safely and confidently. He emphasizes water safety, strong fundamentals, and proper technique, creating a supportive environment where swimmers can thrive. His background in emergency response and military service allows him to remain calm, focused, and encouraging in every situation.

Driven by a commitment to give back to his community and his country, Coach Brandon believes swimming is a vital life skill that builds confidence, discipline, and resilience. He takes pride in making a positive impact by helping each swimmer develop skills that will last a lifetime.

Lead Lifeguard William Hedlund

Lead Lifeguard

William Hedlund brings 14 years of experience as a competitive swimmer and three years of professional lifeguarding experience to his role as Lead Lifeguard with Jacksonville NC Swim, Inc. His long-standing background in aquatics gives him a strong understanding of swimmer development, training environments, and the critical importance of safety on deck.

William is passionate about giving back to the community and takes pride in helping create a safe, positive environment where swimmers can grow in confidence and skill. His dedication to water safety and service makes him a trusted leader for swimmers, families, and staff.

Lexi Cooke

Lifeguard

Lexi Cooke has been a valued part of Jacksonville NC Swim, Inc. since 2016. She began her journey with the team as a swimmer and later returned as a lifeguard, bringing firsthand experience, dedication, and a strong understanding of swimmer safety and development. Lexi’s long-standing connection to the program allows her to relate to athletes while maintaining a calm, attentive, and responsible presence on deck.

She is currently pursuing an Associate of Arts degree and plans to continue her education toward a degree in Clinical Psychology, with a focus on PTSD and counseling. Lexi is passionate about helping others and creating a safe, supportive environment for swimmers both in and out of the water.

Outside of the pool, Lexi enjoys fantasy and tabletop board games, as well as gaming in general, and she also enjoys crocheting. Her creativity, empathy, and commitment to safety make her a trusted and positive role model for swimmers and families alike.

Jeff Cooke

Lifeguard

Jeff has a strong passion for swimming and for teaching children how to be confident and safe in the water. His enthusiasm for aquatics and commitment to swimmer safety make him a valuable member of the Jacksonville NC Swim team.

In addition to his role as a lifeguard, Jeff is able to assist with coaching when needed, helping swimmers develop proper technique, confidence, and a positive connection to the sport. He takes pride in supporting athletes both in the pool and on deck while maintaining a safe, encouraging environment.

Jeff is dedicated to encouraging swimmers to be kind, honest, and hardworking—not only in the water, but in all areas of life. He believes that the lessons learned through swimming extend beyond the pool and help shape strong character and positive values.

Coach Jodie

Coach

Coach Jodie has been coaching at the Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune site since 2016 and brings over 30 years of experience in aquatics to Jacksonville NC Swim, Inc. Her positive, athlete-centered coaching style emphasizes strong technical development while fostering a genuine love for swimming through engaging, fun, and purposeful practices.

Jodie is passionate about developing the whole athlete, both in and out of the pool. She stresses the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, community service, family involvement, and individual leadership, believing that these values are just as important as competitive success. Her approach creates a supportive environment where swimmers are encouraged to grow in confidence, discipline, and character.

Daniel Sooy

Team Steward

Daniel Sooy is a Jacksonville, North Carolina local business owner and dedicated community leader with a strong background in service, discipline, and integrity. He is a proud United States Marine Corps veteran, having served honorably from 2003 to 2011.

Following his military service, Daniel pursued higher education at Nova Southeastern University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance and a MBA. His academic and professional experience provide a solid foundation in leadership, strategic planning, and organizational management.

As a local business owner, Daniel is deeply invested in the Jacksonville community. He brings the same values learned through military service—accountability, commitment, and teamwork—into his professional endeavors and community involvement. His passion for building strong, ethical organizations aligns with the mission of Jacksonville NC Swim, Inc., where integrity and safety remain at the core of everything we do.

Rebekah Sooy

Team Steward

Rebekah Sooy is a Jacksonville, North Carolina local, healthcare professional, and dedicated community leader with a strong commitment to service, family, and safety. She holds a Master's degree as a Physician Assistant and is the owner of a local medical practice, where she provides compassionate, high-quality care to members of the community.

As a mother and healthcare leader, Rebekah is deeply invested in the well-being of families in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. Her professional background in medicine gives her a unique perspective on injury prevention, health education, and the critical importance of water safety.

Rebekah's passion for improving community water safety is a driving force behind her involvement with Jacksonville NC Swim, Inc. She is committed to helping ensure that swimmers of all ages have access to proper instruction, safe environments, and the confidence needed to enjoy the water responsibly. Through leadership grounded in care, integrity, and advocacy, Rebekah works to strengthen both individual lives and the broader community.