Coaches

Sammi brings exceptional leadership and aquatics expertise to Trident Aquatic Club. With a distinguished career as a Manager of Operations and Senior Accountant at a prominent CPA firm and a degree in Business Management, Sammi applies her professional precision and organizational excellence to elevate every aspect of our swim team.  Sammi holds credentials as a USA Swimming National Level 2 Official, specializing in Stroke and Turn and Starter positions. Her impressive officiating portfolio includes both NCAA and NFHS certifications, and she is actively pursuing advanced Deck Referee status—reflecting her unwavering commitment to swimming excellence and fair competition.  Her extensive swimming administration experience encompasses professional event organization, comprehensive meet management, innovative learn-to-swim program development, and thoughtful parent-team coordination. As a trilingual professional fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin with exceptional communication skills, Sammi fosters inclusive and effective dialogue across our diverse swimming community.

At Trident Aquatics, Sammi is dedicated to transforming administrative operations while nurturing a vibrant swimming culture. Her unique combination of financial acumen, practical swimming knowledge, strong communication abilities, and passion for aquatic sports creates an exceptional foundation for our team's continued growth and success.  Sammi is committed to inspiring the next generation of swimmers by sharing her love for the sport while ensuring Trident Aquatic Club delivers a premier competitive swimming experience for athletes and families alike.

With over 30 years of experience, Coach Bartleson brings a wealth of knowledge to the pool. Coach Bartleson has coached swimmers to muiltiple USA Top 10 Rankings, Multiple USA Swimming Junior National Qualifiers, USA Swimming Senior National Qualifers, and USA Swimming Zone Select Camp participants. Coach Bartleson believes in a basic central theme to guide his coaching style. Swimming fast is fun but how you get there is just as important as the perfomance. Athletes are respected and motivated by positive feedback and corrective stroke instruction.

Joseph Vasile has six years of coaching experience at Trident. A competitive swimmer for most of his life, Coach Joe was made captain of the Men’s Swimming and Diving Team at Baruch College in 2019-2020. He is also the current Assistant Swim Coach at Monsignor Farrell High School and the Head Coach of the South Shore Swim Club. He has a true passion for swimming and works hard to instill the same love for the sport in those he coaches.

William Kwan has been swimming since he was 6 years old and he has made multiple sectionals cuts. He swims for the CSI swim team and holds multiple school records for relays and pool records in the 200 breast and 400 IM. He also was awarded rookie of the year. In high school he was named captain his senior year and placed top 3 in both his events while breaking a school record in the 200 medley relay in City Championships. He taught the “learn to swim” program for 2 years and was an assistant coach for 1 year teaching all levels of swimmers. He is excited to bring his experience honing his swimmers techniques this year.

James is from Staten Island where he attended and swam at Monsignor Farrell High School and Richmond Aquatics Club. Coach Callaghan continued his swim career at Ursinus College as a Health Exercise Physiology major and Coaching and Education minor. While there he swam as an IMer, distance freestyler and butter-flyer. After College Coach Callaghan became the Assistant Swim Coach and Aquatic Coordinator at Susquehanna University, a Division 3 liberal arts school in Pennsylvania. He returned to New York in 2021 to be the Assistant Coach at St. Francis College, a Division 1 program in Brooklyn Heights. He joins us after 4 1/2 years of college experience where he coached national and international qualifiers.

Nate joins Trident with ten years of coaching experience on the West Coast. In his time coaching, Nate has coached countless athletes who have achieved first-time LSC championships, Sectionals, Zones, and Junior National cut times. Nate seeks to provide a safe, fun, and positively challenging environment on deck for every athlete. His drive to improve as a coach comes from a desire to serve the community surrounding him. He believes that all success comes from a culture that benefits every single athlete.

This is Conor’s 8th year coaching for Trident Aquatic Club. Coach Conor is from Staten Island, where he swam for Saint Peter’s Boys High School and Richmond Aquatics Club. Coach Conor continued his swimming career when he swam competitively at SUNY Oneonta and graduated with a degree in Adolescent Education and History. 

Conor has had swimmers compete at Silvers, Junior Olympics, Zones, Sectionals, Seniors Mets and Futures. Coach Conor was selected to be the Metropolitan Swimming coach at the 2023 Northeastern Zones. Coach Conor has also led our fundraising efforts with Swim Across America, which has raised over $50,000 towards cancer research in the tristate area.

This is Sarah’s 5th year coaching for Trident Aquatic Club. Originally from Long Island, NY Coach Sarah began her coaching career at Long Island Aquatic Club. She swam competitively at SUNY Oneonta and graduated with a degree in early childhood and childhood education.

Coach Mohammed swam competitively at Baruch College where he won back to back CUNY Championships and was captain of Baruch’s first undefeated season in their teams history. Coach Mohammed joined Trident January 2022 and is a coach dedicated on building up swimmers technique and endurance, while passing on the love of the sport.

James Curran is a highly distinguished swimmer who will be joining us this year as a coach. He has been swimming for 7 years and will be joining College of Staten Island‘s swim team in the fall. He has been a swim instructor for 3 years and excels in teaching techniques and helping swimmers with stamina. He was the captain of St. Peter’s Boys swim team where he led the team to winning championship and placing at city championship.

Tara Curran is a highly accomplished and dedicated swimming coach with 15 plus years of experience in the sport. Her love for swimming began at a young age and she has relentlessly pursued excellence ever since.Tara recently graduated from Mount Saint Mary College with a bachelor’s degree in Special education and History. While in college Tara began her coaching career with Newburgh Sharks for the past 2 years as the head coach for 12 and unders . Prior to college and while in college Tara taught 6 years of swim instructor for all ages, skill level, and disabilities.She firmly believes in the power of building strong relationships with her athletes, understanding their unique needs and goals, and tailoring training programs accordingly.

William Kwan has been swimming since he was 6 years old and he has made multiple sectionals cuts. He swims for the CSI swim team and holds multiple school records for relays and pool records in the 200 breast and 400 IM. He also was awarded rookie of the year. In high school he was named captain his senior year and placed top 3 in both his events while breaking a school record in the 200 medley relay in City Championships. He taught the “learn to swim” program for 2 years and was an assistant coach for 1 year teaching all levels of swimmers. He is excited to bring his experience honing his swimmers techniques this year.

Simona Elsayed is an experienced swimming coach with four years of experience training swimmers with Trident Aquatics. She has also spent five years instructing swim lessons to people ranging in age from four to forty, making her a versatile and skilled instructor. With her expertise, Simona is sure to help swimmers of all levels improve their skills and reach their goals.

Ruben is a competitive swimmer and captain of the Wagner College Swim team. He has been swimming since he was a kid and has been national podium in his home country, Spain, and champion on his D1 conference in the 500 and 1650 free. He will transmit his expertise to the swimmers, helping them with their stroke technique and endurance.

 Rebecca has been working with Trident Swim School  for 2 years, and has taught all swim levels, from beginners to semi advanced age ranges of 3-11. Rebecca has been an assistant coach for precomp and novice groups and works with preteam and junior levels on honing their skils while finding their love for the sport.

Tara Curran is a highly accomplished and dedicated swimming coach with 15 plus years of experience in the sport. Her love for swimming began at a young age and she has relentlessly pursued excellence ever since.Tara recently graduated from Mount Saint Mary College with a bachelor’s degree in Special education and History. While in college Tara began her coaching career with Newburgh Sharks for the past 2 years as the head coach for 12 and unders . Prior to college and while in college Tara taught 6 years of swim instructor for all ages, skill level, and disabilities.She firmly believes in the power of building strong relationships with her athletes, understanding their unique needs and goals, and tailoring training programs accordingly.

This will be Emily’s second year coaching at Trident Aquatic Club. Emily has been a dedicated swim instructor for 3 years and in the last two years, she’s moved on to coaching competitive novice group. Emily loves working with children of all ages and helping them master new skills while learning how to be safe in the water. Emily finds it super important for children to learn the basics of swimming and she loves seeing their skills progress beyond that. Guiding beginners through their first strokes and helping swimmers refine their techniques has been a rewarding experience. She loves to focus on technique and proper mechanics of each stroke. She looks forward to helping swimmers improve in the sport and reach their goals.

Katarina is a highly dedicated coach and instructor who will be joining us in the fall. She has been swimming for over 13 years and currently swims for the college of Staten Island. Katarina has been an instructor for 3 years and loves working with kids of all ages. She is excited to join the team and help every swimmer grow in a welcoming and uplifting environment.

Manuel is a competitive swimmer of the Wagner College Swim team. He has been swimming since he was a kid and has been national podium in his home country, Mexico, multiple times. Manuel got 2nd place in the 200 fly, and 1st place in the 4x200 free relay at the D1 conference. He will transmit his expertise to the swimmers, helping them with their stroke technique and endurance.

This will be Emily’s second year coaching at Trident Aquatic Club. Emily has been a dedicated swim instructor for 3 years and in the last two years, she’s moved on to coaching competitive novice group. Emily loves working with children of all ages and helping them master new skills while learning how to be safe in the water. Emily finds it super important for children to learn the basics of swimming and she loves seeing their skills progress beyond that. Guiding beginners through their first strokes and helping swimmers refine their techniques has been a rewarding experience. She loves to focus on technique and proper mechanics of each stroke. She looks forward to helping swimmers improve in the sport and reach their goals.

Katarina is a highly dedicated coach and instructor who will be joining us in the fall. She has been swimming for over 13 years and currently swims for the college of Staten Island. Katarina has been an instructor for 3 years and loves working with kids of all ages. She is excited to join the team and help every swimmer grow in a welcoming and uplifting environment.

Elise Johnson  has been swimming competitively for 10 years and is from upstate New York currently studying at Wagner College. Elise is part of the division 1 swimming and diving team here at Wagner College and has loved the water since childhood. She is an experienced swim instructor working with all age groups and groups with special needs. Elise is excited to be joining the Trident Team and is looking forward to help aid all kinds of swimmers.

 Yasmin Ladraa is a very passionate swim coach with experience in coaching swimmers from beginners to semi-advanced. Yasmin has also coached our Special Needs Exploratory swim team. With a strong background in competitive swimming, Yasmin has helped athletes improve their technique, endurance, and speed in the water. Yasmin is dedicated to creating a fun and safe environment for swimmers to learn and grow, and am committed to helping each swimmer reach their full potential.