WEST

Jimmy Bynum has been a swim coach in the Austin area for 35 years and has worked with swimmers of all ages and abilities, ranging from private lessons (swimmers 4 to 84 years old) to heading several masters swim programs and serving as the head coach of year-round USA Swimming teams. His experience includes coaching swimmers with physical and cognitive challenges and disabilities. Jimmy's approach is founded on the philosophy of treating swimmers with kindness and respect while guiding them to develop lifelong fitness skills and maximize their athletic potential.

Jimmy has coached swimmers that have achieved many varying goals such as over 20 swimmers are swimming in the college ranks, including Virginia, Stanford, Texas, Texas A&M, Rice, Trinity, Cal-Tech, Duke, and American. Additionally, numerous swimmers achieved UIL and TAAPS High School State Championships and State Championship (TAGS) as age-group swimmers. Coach Jimmy has also had five different summer league teams reach the top of their league championships and he has oached 50 Kona qualifiers, 3 English Channel swimmers, and over 400 cancer survivors.

Coach Chase Alexander Thompson is a passionate and ambitious coach and swimmer with his eyes set on positively impacting the sport of swimming. Chase has been coaching for many years and has been able to work with all age groups. He enjoys working with swimmers on correct stroke technique, proper underwater technique, overall strength and agility, etc. Chase has been able to see numerous successes all the way from the fun and enjoyment of his swimmers to watching them become State Champions.

Chase has been swimming competitively since the age of five. As a swimmer, Chase received very high accolades. He broke an All-American school record during his senior year of high school in the 100-yard Breaststroke, which placed him 14th overall in the state of Texas. Additionally, he earned numerous first team all-district, first team all-region, and second team all-state awards, as well as multiple National and Sectional awards in swim meets across the country.

Born in Houston, Texas, Chase also had the opportunity to travel to South America, Guyana and learn about the history and the culture of his country, where both of his parents were born and raised. With the help of many while swimming in Utah, Chase was able to complete the rigorous process that allowed him to gain his Guyanese citizenship.

With that citizenship, Chase then represented Guyana in the April 2021 UANA Tokyo Qualifier Swim meet in Clermont, FL and broke two Guyanese National Records: the 50-meter Breaststroke and the 100-meter Breaststroke. He continues to swim today on the WEST Team and is constantly striving to increase in both knowledge of and ability in the sport. With the help of his current coaches, Chase aspires to represent Guyana in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Milo is a recent graduate from the University of St. Edwards with a degree in kinesiology. He grew up in the state of Washington where he swam and played club water polo for 10 years. Milo was a multiple time state participant for swimming and water polo. His favorite strokes are freestyle and butterfly. Milo’ best memories were competing at Junior Olympics for water polo in California with his teammates. He has experience coaching his summer league team back home for 3 years. He has a high passion for seeing his swimmers improve and getting to know them. Milo is excited to get back into coaching and to share his love of swimming with all that he can.

Coco is a junior at Austin High School, a member of the National Honor Society and PALS program. Coco started her swimming at 5 years old with her neighborhood team, where she still holds over 10 records. At age 10 she joined Coach Jimmy and started her career as a year round club swimmer. Coco has made finals in TAGS, STAG and the UIL Regional Championships. Her favorite part of swimming are the relationships with her teammates and coaches. Especially out of town meets!

Coco was an apprentice coach with her neighborhood team for 2 years before starting with the Cruzers. Coach Coco looks forward to the new season sharing all she has leaned with her swimmers through practice and private lessons. In her spare time Coco has been visiting Colleges, studying for the ACT and hanging with friends. She also loves to babysit.

Erin has over twenty years of experience in Health & Fitness Management and coaching with a solid history of leadership, customer relations, and program development in the health and wellness industry.

Erin comes to the Club most recently from the executive position of Director of Sales for BodySpec. Prior to that she has been Owner of East End Fitness, Instructor at The College of Healthcare Professionals Personal Training program, and Fitness Director at Westwood Country Club. Erin is coming back to her passion in Aquatics. She coached competitive swimming for USA sanctioned teams at Weiss and Weiss Aquatics and served as a USA Masters swim coach at Circle C Aquatics.

Originally from Bowie, Maryland, Erin grew up a competitive swimmer and later in life turned to distance running, which she continues to enjoy both swimming and running. She earned a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin in Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Fitness. Outside of work, Erin keeps busy chasing after her 3 children, dog, cat and 6 chickens.