James E. Taylor High School, 20700 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, Texas 77450, United States
Power Staff
Sharon Power, Owner & Head Coach
Coach Sharon has been a Swim Coach and Instructor since 1972. She is one of only approximately 200 out of the 12,000 certified USA swim coaches holding the highest Level 5 ASCA certification. She has the honor of being Coach of Record for Olympic Gold Medalist and former World Record Holder, Ian Crocker. She has coached numerous National, Junior national, High School State, and NCAA qualifying champions. Many of her swimmers have gone on to college and become captains of their teams. In addition, Sharon has mentored dozens of young and women who have gone on to become coaches in the sport of swimming.
Sharon has served on National and LSC committees, received awards and recognitions in Canada and the United States, and has coached in Australia. Coach Sharon's extensive experience coupled with a demonstrated passion for the sport of swimming has given all who have had her as their coach the pride of being one of 'her kids.'
Erin Silkenson, Shark School Head Coach
Coach Erin, a swimmer herself, has been coaching swimmers of all ages for years. She has done everything from WHALe to lifeguarding. She works for the Katy ISD Aquatics Department, and is mom to Shark School's Coach Hayden! Power is very happy to have her as the Shark School Head Coach!
Russell Sollock, Thunder Coach
Coach Russell has been with Power Aquatics since 2011. He is an active Masters swimmer and triathlete, including a three-time Iron Man finisher and a 14-time half-Ironman among other races. He has received All World Athlete recognition as a silver medalist for finishing in the top 5% of his age group in Ironman competitions.
Coach Russell is a University of Houston graduate having earned a Masters in Physical Education and a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition. Russell has years of experience teaching physical education, health science, and Language Arts to children in Katy and Cy-Fair ISDs.
Andy Duddridge, Thunder & Lightning 1 Coach
Coach Andy is a 2015 graduate of Taylor High School, where he was a varsity swimmer and member of the orchestra. He was a Power For Life swimmer for five years before graduating to study physics at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
A former distance swimmer, Andy is well-respected for his knowledge of our sport and for his ability to connect with kids.
Wendy Olson, Assistant Coach, Thunder
Coach Wendy in her own words:
"Even though my background is in physical therapy and emergency medical technician training, my full-time job for over 25 years is being a special education teacher. My most important role is being mother to my daughter who is a member of the Power team. I am a runner, scuba diver and enjoy helping others learn more about fitness."
Laura Freeman, Lightning 2 Coach
Laura is well-known to our Power family. She has been the team manager, our meet director, and is a certified stroke & turn judge for UIL and summer league swimming. In addition to her duties coaching Lightning 2, she will be the coach of record for handling meet entries. She is a state-level volunteer with Texas PTA and, most importantly, is also mom to Coach Nick!
Stacy Van Horn, Rain Coach
Stacey brings a wealth of experience to the team as both a teacher and a coach. We are excited to welcome her back to Power, and to again have her on staff mentoring and teaching our younger kids as they enter the world of competitive swimming. In addition to coaching, she will be teaching at Cinco Ranch High School this year, but she will probably tell you her most important job is as mom to two sons.
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Mary McGovern, Team Manager & Shark School Manager
Mary was introduced to competitive swimming by her sons, both of whom swam for Coach Sharon for many years. Her older son, Zac, even coached Lightning before heading off to college. She considers herself a "recovering swim mom" after more than 20 years of cheering on her boys at summer league, high school varsity, and club meets. After the boys decided to grow up and hang up their flippers, Mary decided to stay with Power and share her vast knowledge with the newest swim moms and dads! She loves working with the kids and especially enjoys helping Shark School swimmers develop a love of the sport.
Mary is also the team admin with USA Swimming. She may not know the answers to all of your questions, but she probably knows who to call to find out.
Lisa Johns, Billing
We don't often see Lisa on deck, but she is invaluable behind the scenes keeping our invoicing and accounts receivable on the straight and narrow. Lisa has an extensive business and accounting background and runs her own financial services consulting business. Lisa also volunteers her time as state-level treasurer of Texas PTA.
