David L Maker, Jr
Head Coach
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The KNIK head coach since March
of 2006, David is an ASCA Level IV certified coach and has been
involved with coaching since 1984. In that time he has worked
with USA Swimming, YMCA, High School, Summer Club and NCAA Div III
teams. At every stop his teams have demonstrated marked
immediate improvement. His style and rapport with the
athletes combined with his long-term approach to technique
development and career path progressive training is the key to
his impact on swimmer performance. His first priority is for
each swimmer to develop their own goals, work ethic and
motivation. Since his arrival, KNIK has increased in
size four fold and tripled their scoring output at JO’s. This
past season, KNIK had it's highest team placement and point totals
at Age Group Champs (4th) and JO's (5th) in the past decade.
KNIK is a unique blend of hard work and fun in a family
environment. This is an intentional byproduct from
David’s formative years. Coach wants everyone to
experience the life long passions and friendships he developed
while swimming and growing up in Michigan. In his "free"
time, Coach Maker is also a math teacher and assistant swim coach
at Eagle River High School. He is an avid reader and a
movie and music buff.
Colny Tucker
Assistant Coach
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Coach Colny retired from the Anchorage School
District after teaching physical education, and coaching various
sports, for 28 years. She has a strong aquatic background and
continues to participate in the sport as a United States
Master’s Swimmer. Coach Colny tries to bring an element
of fun to her workouts, in hopes that her swimmers will also enjoy
the sport for a lifetime; just as she does.
Watch Coach Colny in action from the 2008
Master’s National Meet in Austin, TX.
swimming.flocasts.org/videos/coverage/view_video/258/14213
Matt J Williams
Assistant Coach
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Coach Matt is a Sophmore at University of Anchorage Alaska
persuing his Mechanical Engineering degree. He has been swimming
for six years with Knik . Matt enjoys swimming and hopes to
inspire others to stay fit and enjoy swimming. Matt in his
off time likes to Ice Dance, run, do triatholon's, and hangout with
his friends.
Mark VanArsdale
Assistant Coach
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Coach VA joined the KNIK team in the spring of 2009 as a part
time coach. He had previously been the head coach for Chugiak and
Eagle River High Schools. Coach VA was a competitive swimmer
for twelve years in Ohio where he was a state finalist and a
division III collegiate All American. After a fifteen-year
vacation he started competing at the masters level three years
ago. These days he swims for the sheer joy of it and as a
coach he tries to inspire that same joy in the kids he
coaches. When not coaching he works as a science teacher and
department chair at Eagle River High School. In his free time
he takes care of two wild little boys and tries to spend as much
time outside as possible.
Michelle Caldwell
Learn-to-Swim Director
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Our Learn-to-Swim Director, Michelle Caldwell,
first started the program in fall of 2005 because of the need for
more learn2swim programs in our area. She voluntarily runs the
program on deck and in the water, over seeing instructor training,
paperwork, water instruction and all parental and family
connections. Michelle believes that swimming is a life saving
skill and an absolutely must for all to learn especially in Alaska
we have one of the top drowning rates in the USA.
Michelle is recipient of the American Red Cross Hero’s
Educator Award for 2008. She has two daughters who swim on
KNIK, one high school aged and one swimming at University
level, who is an academic All American.
