Mike Ashmore
Head Coach and General Manager
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Mike Ashmore came to the Santa Maria Swim Club in September 1999.
Since that time, the club has witnessed an explosion in growth, not
only in our numbers, but also competitively. Coach Mike took the
team from very few AA qualifiers to several Junior National, U.S.
Open, and Senior National qualifiers. Since 1999, Mike has coached
Junior National qualifiers, U.S. Open qualifiers, Senior National
qualifiers, and a Junior National Champion in the 200 Individual
Medley.
Before coming to Santa Maria, Mike was the Graduate Assistant
Coach at Western Illinois University. While at Western, Mike was
responsible for the Distance and 400 IM group. Mike also assisted
in guiding the Leathernecks to two Men's Mid-Continent Conference
titles and one Southern States Conference title. On the women's
side, Mike assisted Head Coach Jerry Champer in bringing home the
first ever, Mid-Continent Conference title.
Mike also coached with the Fremont Area Swim
Team, assisting in building the club from scratch to over 300
members, while also coaching the San Ramon Royal Vista Summer Team.
Prior to this, Mike was the Head Coach of Moreau Catholic High
School where he led the Mariners, his alma mater, to three H.A.A.L
Varsity Boy's titles, two H.A.A.L Varsity Girl's titles, and two
Junior Varsity titles.
Mike swam competitively at Chabot College
(Associate degree 1991) and Whitworth College (Bachelor Arts 1995,
Sports medicine) where he was a 5-time All-American. Mike also
received a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Western
Illinois University (1999). Mike is a Level 4 certified member of
the American Swimming Coaches Association. Level 4 certification
places him among the top 10% of coaches in the United States.
Mike resides in Santa Maria and teaches in the Department of
Physical Education at Allan Hancock College.
Matt Brown
Presenior Coach and Senior Assistant
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Matt Brown began coaching with SMSC in 2004 and in August of
2008 he became the pre-senior group coach. Matt has been
assisting with the senior group since his arrival at SMSC
and from 2006 to 2008 he also coached the gold
group. The gold group performance was elevated to a
whole new level in the two years that Matt coached it. Prior
to his arrival at SMSC Matt was the Head Coach and CEO of North
County Aquatics in Paso Robles. While at North County
Aquatics Matt led the team to its highest ever team finish at
Junior Olympics. Matt has also been a coach at the University
of Kentucky (1998), Wilderness Trace YMCA (1998-1999), McDowell
Marlins (1999-2000), Centre College (1998-2000), and Fresno
State University (2000-2002). Matt is a three year varsity
letter winner at the University of Kentucky where he graduated in
1998 with a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science. Matt
is a member of the American Swimming Coaches Association,
American College of Sports Medicine, and the National Strength and
Conditioning Association. Matt is an ASCA certified
Level 2 coach with education through Level 4.
Sara Lougee
Head Novice Coach - Bronze/Silver Group
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Sara started Varsity Tennis at Ventura College and later became
the Head Tennis Instructor for Fresno State Bulldog Camp for kids
from 1983 to 1986. Sara graduated from Fresno State with a
degree in Environmental Biology in 1985. Sara’s family
started swimming for the Santa Maria Swim Club in 1993. Later Sara
joined the Coaching Staff, taking the Bronze Group from three
months per year to a group that participates year-round. Sara has
been instrumental in developing the Novice and 8-under parts of the
Santa Maria Swim Club. Sara is a certified Water Safety Instructor
with the American Red Cross and is also certified to teach Coaches
Safety Training. Sara is also a member of the American Swimming
Coaches Association and certified Level 2. Sara has also been
competing in the Master Swim program for the last six years.
Deanna M Ayers
Assistant Coach - Bronze I, II, III
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Deanna coaches with our Bronze I, II and III groups. Deanna has
been around pools since she was 3, coaching synchronized swimming
and managing pools. Deanna resides in Santa Maria with her husband
and two children and currently swims with the Masters.
Patty M Ray
Assistant Coach - Bronze I, II, III
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Patty Ray assists with the Bronze I, II and III groups at SMSC.
Patty swam competitively at both the club and high school levels
(Arroyo Grande Swim Club & AGHS.) Patty also currently
swims with our Masters group. Patty resides in Santa Maria with her
husband and two children.
