Our Coaches

Owner and Head Coach, Coach Karr has 30 years of coaching experience. She is the founder of Buckeye Swim Club and has led the team to a 3rd place overall finish & a 1st Place Small Team at the Ohio Age Group Championships and a 2nd place finish at the Ohio Senior Meet. She brings a passion for the sport of swimming and swimmers that is unparalleled by any in Central Ohio. She brings tremendous knowledge of swimming and the ability to communicate with swimmers and parents.

 

Chris Hadden is extremely excited to be the Head Coach/Co-owner of the Buckeye Swim Team. Chris founded the United Swim Association (USA) in 2009 and the Central Ohio Premier Swim Club (COPS) in 2003. He has coached successful programs in Florida, Louisiana, the Washington, DC area, and Columbus, Ohio since 1995. Chris was a featured speaker at the 2013 World Coach’s Clinic in New Orleans. He was also featured on the United States Swimming’s Website under “Coaches You Should Know” for the September 2013 issue. Chris was voted the 2012 Ohio Swimming Age Group Coach of the Year by his peers. Chris spent three years with the National Champion Curl-Burke Swim Club (now Nation's Capital Swim Club) in Washington, DC where he helped train 20 swimmers with 2000 Olympics Trial Cuts. Five swimmers from this group competed in the 2000 Olympics! In his career, Chris has produced 24 USA Top 16 Athletes, 77 Ohio State Champions, 10 Florida State Champions, 4 Louisiana State Champions, 14 USA Swimming Academic/Scholastic All Americans and helped produce 5 Olympic athletes. Chris is very proud of his athlete's accomplishments in High School swimming boasting 14 Ohio State High School Champions to date. Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University. Chris served on the Executive Board of Directors for Ohio Swimming for over 9 years.

Cara was the Team Administrator for the United Swim Association (USA) since 2017.  Cara joined Coach Chris and his staff to merge with the Buckeye Swim Team.  Cara is very diligent with her follow up to our members.  Cara handles all registration and billing for our members.  Cara’s daughter, Neve, grew up swimming for USA and is now attending the DePaul University in Chicago.

Matt is excited to be coaching the Future Stars of the Buckeye Swim Team! Matt had been the Head Age Group Coach for the United Swim Association (USA) since 2010. What Matt loves about coaching is the opportunity to foster the progression of swimmers at every level of our program, from first-time competitor to national team member. Matt's competitive background includes being named an All-American swimmer at Akron Firestone High School, as well as being a 4-year letter winner and a Big Ten Championship swimmer at The Ohio State University. Matt is a two-time graduate from The Ohio State University and is a Clinical Dietitian with the Ohio State Medical Center. Matt’s wife, Megan, swam for Chris Hadden. They have 2 young children at home and Matt is excited to find the time to coach for Buckeye.

Grant Horton is excited to join the Buckeye Swim Team as the Lead AG1 Scarlet Coach at Columbus North. Grant has been coaching with the United Swim Association since 2015 and competitively swam for USA since 2012.

Heath Patterson is excited to be the Lead AG3 Scarlet Coach. Heath started coaching with the United Swim Association (USA) in 2018. He was a swim lesson instructor at Aquatic Adventures 7 years prior to joining the USA coaching staff. Heath has over 15 years of experience teaching swimming. He grew up in a small town in Vermont. Heath is very committed to share his swimming experience to progress the future stars for Buckeye! Heath can claim his first Junior Championship State Champion and High Point winner in 2025.

Lauryn has been coaching with Buckeye since 2023.  Lauryn grew up swimming for Buckeye and has always had a passion for swimming.  She swam and played volleyball at Wilmington College.  Lauryn holds a degree in Education Studies and a minor Coaching.  Lauryn is also an elementary school teacher in Columbus Schools.

Katie has been coaching with the Buckeye Swim Team since 2021. Katie grew up swimming in northeast Ohio for Hudson HEAT and the Hudson High School team. Katie enjoys helping Buckeye swimmers to get better in and out of the water. Outside of the pool, Katie is a Digital Communications Specialist at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She loves yoga, running, traveling, and trying new recipes. Katie is passionate about empowering young athletes to succeed in the pool!

Karli grew up outside of Cleveland where she swam for LRST and the Rocky River High School swim team. She continued her swimming career at Ohio Northern University where she was a varsity swimmer all four years. One of her favorite things about coaching is being able to share her love of swimming with young swimmers. When not coaching, Karli is a student at the Ohio State University where she is working towards a PhD in Aerospace Engineering. In her free time, Karli enjoys trying new coffee shops, running, and hanging out with her two cats.

Kaylyn Froebel is our the co-lead coach for the AG Select group, which she started with Coach Laurie in 2024. She enjoys helping dedicated swimmers to reach their goals. Kaylyn swam competitively for USA and later became a 4-year varsity letter winner at Grove City College. She has previously coached with Upper Arlington Swim Club and volunteered with the Muirfield Marlins summer league team. What Kaylyn loves most about coaching is seeing swimmers grow in and out of the water and seeing swimmers meet their goals at all levels. When off deck, you’ll find Kaylyn working out, enjoying time with friends, or watching OSU football games.

Thomas began coaching for Buckeye in 2023. Thomas grew up swimming competitively under Coach Matt and Coach Chris with the United Swim Association (USA). Thomas had a successful career swimming 4 years for the University of Tampa. Thomas is also the manager at the Buckeye Swim School.

JK joined Buckeye in 2023.  JK grew up in South Korea and had a very successful swim career.  JK played water polo in college and was a swim instructor for the Korean Navy. JK is also a manager at the Buckeye Swim School and provides swim lessons.  JK has a great passion for swimming and has been a great asset to the staff.

Nathan is excited to join the Buckeye coaching staff. Nathan grew up swimming for Coach Chris with the United Swim Association (USA). Nathan swam at Lake Forest College in Illinois. He is also at teacher in Dublin Schools.

Pam started coaching for the United Swim Association (USA) in 2017 and joined Buckeye’s staff when the teams merged.  Pam’s children all swim for Buckeye. Pam grew up swimming competitively in Beavercreek, Ohio.

Alex graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology. He is a Strength and Conditioning Coach Specialist (CSCS) certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Alex has been a personal trainer for 6 years and an Athletic Performance Coach for 5 years. He enjoys helping people achieve their fitness goals. Alex ran 3 years of club track at BGSU.