Coach Rebekah not only serves as our head coach but is also the Aquatics Ministry Director for the Emerald Youth Foundation.

"Hi Team, a little bit about me. I have loved swimming and have been in and around the pool since age 5. I swam competitively through USA Swimming until I was 19. I started coaching and teaching at 14 and have been doing it ever since. Coaching has brought me a whole new love for the sport, and being with Emerald where I get to share my love for Jesus makes it even better. 

In my free time I love to spend time with family and friends, and my two dogs Theo and Tigger. When not working I enjoy swimming, going to the gym, all things crafting."

So Excited for a great season of swimming, and the opportunity to get to know everyone! 

I have been coaching with Emerald Youth since October of 2021. I have always loved being in the pool and started swimming competitively in middle school and all through high school. Getting to coach swimming has given me a whole new love of the sport and I really enjoy getting to watch our athletes grow and love the sport. I graduated from UTK in 2023 with a Degree in Kinesiology and am currently in PT School. When I am not on the pool deck or in class, I enjoy spending time with my dog and trivia nights with my friends!

Heather Glass is entering her 9th summer as a swimming coach; she has been teaching with the Emerald Youth Foundation summer swim team since May of 2017 with a focus on pre-team swimmers who are fine tuning their skills before joining the competitive group. Heather is also an avid swim mom to a 14-year-old competitive swimmer, who swims year round as a USA Swimming athlete, and is a USA Master's swimmer herself on the side. Additionally, Heather is a fierce advocate for learn to swim programs and equitable access to life-saving instruction through her position with the USA Swimming Foundation as an active board member. When Heather is not on the pool deck, you can find her on the soccer field, at the track, or around Knoxville with her Vizsla pup, husband Rob, and two kiddos, Bella and Gideon.

Hi Emerald swimmers and families, I’m Coach Anna! I am excited to be back this summer to coach swim team. I had so much fun last summer and I am looking forward to another great swim season. I’ve been coaching swim team for 6+ years, I started coaching summer swim and teaching swim lessons at home in Pennsylvania. Before coaching, I swam competitively for 12 years and played water polo for 3 years. I love being in the water!

When I’m not coaching swimming, I work as a nurse at UT Medical Center! I love to bake, read, go on walks, shop, and spend time with my family and friends. My favorite vacation spot is the beach, I love spending time in the sun.

I look forward to meeting you and working with you this summer. See you on the first day of practice. Go Emerald!! 

Katie was an age-group and high school swimmer for 8 years with Seneca Valley Swim Club in western Pennsylvania. A graduate of The University of Tennessee, Katie has worked in the social work and healthcare industries for 20 years. After some time away from the pool, Katie found herself back on deck when her son wanted to give competitive swimming a try. Katie has been involved with Emerald swimming in some capacity for 8 years with last summer being her first time in a coaching role. In addition, Katie has 7 years experience as a GKAISA and KISL stroke and turn judge volunteering at summer swim and middle/high school meets. Katie has also volunteered with Tennessee Aquatics for 7 years. These opportunities have allowed Katie to work alongside USA Swimming, USADA, TYR Pro, and USA Diving. She is a member of U.S. Masters Swimming and actively trains at her local YMCA pool. When not volunteering or cheering at a swim meet, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and cooking.

I have been swimming since I was eight years old. I find joy in swimming competitively and building teamwork. I have been working along side emerald youth aquatics for almost five years. I enjoy helping children learn a life skill and building confidence in young swimmers while helping them reach their goals. I studied at Carson-Newman University and got my bachelor’s in Child and Family Studies. When I am not working you can find me enjoy the city of Knoxville with my dog or on my paddle board on the lake!

My name is Nathan Holliman, and I am a current law student at the University of Memphis. I was a competitive swimmer for 12 years. Eight of these years were for a summer and school league while four were in college. I also coached for 4 years and I am very excited to come back to the sport that I have loved for so long. When I am outside of the pool, I like to go on runs, spend time with my cat, and play video games.

My name is Kendric Cox and I have been with Emerald’s swim team since it's first season back in 2008. I stopped competing in 2018 and became a part of the coaching for the team to help give back to the team that brought me up. I also swam for both Tennessee Aquatics and the L&N STEM Academy team during high school. Swimming has been a large part of my life and Emerald has been a role in that journey that I’ll always be grateful for.

I am an upcoming senior at the University of Tennessee studying Pre-Law and have been with Emerald Swim since August 2024! When I’m not at the pool I enjoy running, hiking, and camping. I also love to cook/bake and read books.

My name is Ally Davis, and I am a student at Johnson University studying Special Education. I have been swimming for 12 years and have been part of the Emerald team for the past two years. Swimming has always been a passion of mine, and I love sharing that passion by teaching kids how to swim. It’s a joy to be part of Emerald Youth, where I can help young swimmers grow in skill and confidence in the water!