• JACKSON SWIM & DIVE COACHES

     


    Drew Whorley
    Head Coach

    Head Coach Drew Whorley has spent a great part of his life swimming and coaching. Drew grew up in North Carolina where he began swimming competitively as a kid for the Raleigh Swim Association. He attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington where he swam for four years on scholarship. While swimming for UNC Wilmington, he held eight CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) Championship titles.

    Drew strives to motivate each athlete to work to his or her greatest ability, and he encourages all athletes to believe in themselves. He is noted for this quote, while coaching from the pool deck:

    There are two types of people in this world;
    Those who think they can,
    And those who think they can't,
    Both are usually right.

    Drew currently serves as the Aquatics Director at Columbia Athletic Club Silver Lake. When he is not working or coaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Vanessa, and daughters Quinn, Ava, and Liza.

    drew@columbiaathletic.com
    425-337-7477 x 2228

    Mary Lou Barrett
    Assistant Coach 

    I have been involved in some aspect of swimming for the greater part of my life. I began my swim career with a local YMCA in Virginia before transferring to a USA swim team. I swam throughout elementary, middle and high school and then, after a year hiatus, swam for a couple of years in college. Post college, I participated in Masters Swimming for a couple of years.

    In addition to swimming, I have completed multiple marathons and triathlons. After being out of the swimming circle (other than having my girls swim), I returned to the pool as an instructor and have been teaching all levels and ages for many years. Coaching has been a natural progression from teaching. I love helping swimmers of all ages and abilities become the best they can be.

    "There is no such thing as I can't."

    "You can achieve what you believe."
     
    JoLynne "Jo" Leitzel-Abbe
    Dive Coach
     
    Coach JoLynne Leitzel-Abbe began her dive coaching career in 1973 as a high school student when she ran a summer dive league. She went on to study Physical Education at University of Lock Haven, PA where she competed in gymnastics. Upon graduating from college she taught Phys Ed while continuing to teach diving during the summers. In 1994 JoLynne moved to Washington and began coaching dive at Inglemoor High School. She is now a massage therapist, private dive instructor, and coach of the dive event for Jackson, Everett, Cascade, and Archbishop Murphy High Schools.