Christopher Gardner

Head Coach

Amy Schwander

Mini's Coach

I live in Dover with my husband and children.  I have been with the YMCA since August of 2005.  I swam for 7 years with the YWCA of Newark and then for Glasgow High School.  I was co-captain of the High School team for two years.  I am very happy to be coaching with the Dolphins.  I love working with kids and I love swimming.  My approach is constant encouragement with respect to each child's skill level and ability.  My goals for the swimmers in my lane is to execute all four strokes in keeping with league rules, perform starts, turns and finishes correctly.  Most of all that they have a lot of fun.

Darnell Pinckney

Assistant Coach

I currently attend Delaware State University majoring in Early Childhood Education.  I was born in Bronx, New York and moved to Teaneck New Jersey at the age of 13.  After I learned to swim I joined the swim team.  The first team I swam for was Tide Swim team of Greater Bergen County YMCA.  For 5 years I made Nationals cuts.  In 1998 I received awards for outstanding effort and Most Valuable Swimmer.  In 2001 my team won the Boys Championship and I received outstanding effort.  I joined Teaneck High School swim team and made Varsity all 4 years.  The most important tool I can teach my children as a coach is motivation to do the best.  This is my first year as a coach. 

Leigh Askin

Assistant Coach

I began swimming at the YMCA when I was 6 years old.  The YMCA swim team provided the training and encouragement to continue my swimming through High School swimming.  Upon graduating I began attending the University of Delaware and swam on their division I Women's swim team.  Throughout my career I enjoyed many strokes including breast stroke and butterfly but finally settled on sprint Freestyle.  As a coach I hope to provide the same encouragement and training for all of my swimmers so they can achieve their swimming goals.

Jackie Reader

Assistant Coach

Jackie joined our team in 2006 as a volunteer assistant and became staff member in 2007.  She was born in Ruston, Louisiana.  Jackie currently resides with her partner and children in Dover.  Jackie believes swimming should be fun and that positive reinforcement is the key to a good experience.  Jackie goal for her swimmers include stroke mastery and improved endurance.  She also hopes to equip her swimmers with skills for lifelong physical fitness.  In keeping with these goals she believes a positive attitude contributes much to success, in swimming and life. 

Of course Jackie also hopes to see all her swimmers at Champs and Mini-Champs.

Amanda Keppel

Assistant Coach

I live in Camden with my two children, Demetrius and Dionn.  I teach 5th grade Math and Science in the Lake Forest School District.  I started swimming at the age of 5 for Oakland's Swim Team in Newark Delaware.  I swam for Oakland for 13 years.  I also swam for the YWCA Newark Nomads for 10 years.  I swam for for Newark High School and was a member of the 1991 State Championship Swim Team.  I graduated from Newark High School and attended West Virginia Wesleyan College on a Volleyball Scholarship.

John Satiel

Assistant Coach

I have been swimming for 12 years.  I swam in the USA league as well as the Tri-County league in the summer.  The first team I joined was Huddenwood and later joined GCIT and DST.  During High School I was voted MVP 3 years in a row. In the USA league I swam in Eastern Zone  twice.  I currently have the summer left to swim before I turn 19.