About | Coaches
Eric Whitten • Kent Morales • Jack Naylor • Thomas Lassetter
Bella Paulette Ferriter • Paul Stasiowski • Tom Sweeney • Scott Williams
"We are committed to helping swimmers develop their full potential while fostering
camaraderie, self-confidence and sportsmanship in a supportive team environment."
Eric Whitten
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| Eric Whitten |
Eric is the founder and Head Coach of Sequoia Aquatics. He started the team as Lucas Valley Aquatics in 2005 and changed the name in 2010. Coach Whitten has been coaching for 25 years, all in Marin County. He was the Head Coach of Indian Valley Aquatics Novato from 1995-1998 and has coached an Olympian, several nationally ranked swimmers, North Coast Section High School Champions, Marin County Athletic League record holders and winners of Division I college scholarships.
Coach Whitten grew up in Marin County and was educated back east at Yale University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies. Whitten rode on the Yale Cycling Team where he was captain in 1988-1989. He competed in the Collegiate National Championships in 1989. He has two Masters degrees, one in American History from the University of Rochester and one in Painting from the Academy of Art in San Francisco. In addition to coaching he is a professional artist. Whitten and his wife Christine have three children Audrey, Kathryn and Zachary.
Contact: 415-342-5163 | sequoiaswimming@gmail.com
Kent Morales
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| Kent Morales |
Kent began his swimming career as a youth with the Lucas Valley Waterlogs. He swam in the Marin Swim League, Terra Linda High School, and collegiately. As a nineteen-year-old at U.C. Davis, Kent joined the Marinwood Waterdevils as an assistant coach, and has been coaching ever since. He has been a Head Coach of the Lucas Valley Lightning, Marinwood Waterdevils, and Marin YMCA Dolphins. Kent has been coaching with Eric at Sequoia Aquatics since its creation.
Kent is passionate about swimming, and is deeply committed to bringing a rewarding experience to his swimmers. He wants the swimmers to have fun, while realizing the enjoyment of achieving goals through dedication and camaraderie. His greatest thrill as a coach is watching young swimmers mature into fine young adults.
When not on the pool deck coaching, Kent enjoys swimming with the Tamalpais Aquatic Masters Swim Team, and running through the hills with his dog or as a member of the Tamalpa Runners Club. He is also currently a full-time student at Dominican University of California, where he hopes to earn his teaching credential to eventually teach high school biology.
Contact: 415-225-8816 | kentmorales@lucasvalley.net
Jack Naylor
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| Jack Naylor |
Jack grew up in San Rafael and participated in the Marin Swim League and in USA Swimming in his youth. In high school, he was named a North Coast Section Scholar Athlete as a member of the Terra Linda Trojans and was also recognized as a Scholastic All-American by USA Swimming. He then went on to swim as a member of the Boston College Men’s Varsity Swim Team from 2003-2007, specializing in Breaststroke and Individual Medley events. Jack continues to swim as a member of Lucas Valley Aquatics Master’s and placed in the U.S. Master’s top ten national rankings in the 200 Breaststroke in 2010.
Jack’s favorite swimming memories consist of competing in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke at the California-Nevada USA Swimming Sectionals in Las Vegas and at the Big East Championships held at University of Pittsburgh while swimming for Boston College.
Jack got his start in coaching as an assistant for Sequoia Aquatics in 2010. He also has been an assistant coach and swim school instructor for the Lucas Valley Lightning Swim Team for two consecutive summers. Jack knows first-hand that the sport of swimming can be an extremely valuable tool for teaching lessons that translate into life outside of the pool.
When not on the pool deck, Jack enjoys reading, listening to music, and participating in a variety of recreational sports including U.S. Master’s swimming. He is also enrolled as a full-time student at Dominican University of California where he hopes to earn a Master’s of Business Administration in Global Management. His goal is to continue to develop his financial planning expertise while also building his swim coaching career.
Contact: 415-847-0540 | naylorj08@yahoo.com
Bella Paulette Ferriter
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| "Coach Bella" Paulette Ferriter |
Bella began coaching in the Marin Swim League in 2006. Previous to Scott Valley she was the Head Coach for the Strawberry Seals, Assistant Coach for Lucas Valley Aquatics & Masters (USA Swimming) & Lucas Valley Swim Team, Sequoia Aquatics of Marin (USA Swimming) & Terra Linda Orca's Assistant Coach. She also trains swimmers in open water swimming for triathlons and the Tiburon Mile Swim.
Bella has been an athlete since the age of two. She was a gymnast and dancer every fall and winter and a swimmer every spring and summer. She was a competitive gymnast in junior high and high school and grew up competing in the Marin Swim League. In college, she spent one season diving and swimming. When Bella was young, she would hold her breath at the bottom of the pool more often than swimming at the surface. She believed if she could hold her breath long enough, she would turn into a mermaid and never have to leave the water. She still believes this!
Bella has spent over half her life coaching P.E., gymnastics, volleyball, soccer and swimming. She has coached swimmers from (Mommy & Me) babies to 74+. In college, she studied kinesiology and psychology. She is a certified USA Swim Coach and a certified Lifeguard.
Bella enjoys helping a swimmer develop confidence as their skill set increases. Passing along her passion of swimming and sport is what it's all about for her. In the words of Fran Crippen, "Open your mind with enthusiasm for success." Away from the pool, Bella likes to spend time with friends & family at the beach, having dinner, working out and laughing together. She resides in Terra Linda with her two teenage sons.
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!
Contact: 415-465-2560 | swimbella@comcast.net
Thomas Lassetter
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| Thomas Lassetter |
Thomas has been coaching with Eric at Sequoia Aquatics since 2009. Thomas was born in Southampton, England but grew up in Marin County swimming on the Lucas Valley Lightning, captaining the team for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Thomas was a member of the varsity swimming and water polo teams for Terra Linda high school from 2001-2005.
Thomas' favorite swimming memories include competing at the NCS championships and serenading the diving team during practices. Thomas's favorite part about being a swim coach is teaching the value of hard work and pushing yourself to do your best. The most rewarding aspect of being a swim coach is getting to the know the individual swimmers and watching them succeed in achieving their goals.
Outside of the pool deck, Thomas enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee. Thomas played for 4 years at the University of California, Santa Cruz, competing in the 2008 national championships and captaining the team in from 2008-2009. He also enjoys running and following his favorite soccer team, Manchester United FC. Thomas additionally works as a restaurant manager at the Marin Brewing Company.
Contact: (415) 847-7627 | tlassett@gmail.com