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SPRING/SUMMER LONG COURSE BLAZE SEASON: To continue swimming, please register for the upcoming Blaze season that begins April 6.
Everything you need to get oriented — without overwhelm.
Welcome to Blaze
Welcome to Blaze
We’re glad you’re here.
Joining a swim team can feel like a lot at first — new routines, new expectations, and a sport with its own language. This page is here to help you understand how Blaze works and what to expect as a swimmer and a parent.
You don’t need to know everything right away.
You just need a good starting point.
Our Team
Our Team
At Blaze, we believe in more than just fast swims—we believe in growing confident, capable athletes in a supportive and energetic team environment. Whether you're just diving in or chasing state times, Blaze is where swimmers improve, compete, and belong.
Team Goals:
Team Goals:
Swimmer Development: We want every swimmer to grow, improve, and reach new milestones throughout the season.
Sportsmanship & Team Building: Being part of a team creates lasting memories. We foster a positive, encouraging environment where friendships and teamwork thrive.
Positive Competition: Competition should challenge and inspire—never intimidate. Our coaches and families model a healthy, growth-focused mindset.
Fun! Above all, we want your swimmer to love being in the water and look forward to every practice and meet.
Meet the Coaches
Meet the Coaches
Blaze is led by a team of experienced, supportive coaches who focus on swimmer development, confidence, and having fun while working hard.
You may see several coaches on deck — that’s intentional. Our coaching staff works together to support swimmers across groups and ability levels.
(You’ll get to know them quickly!)
If you ever have questions, coaches are happy to help — just keep in mind they may not be immediately available while actively coaching on deck.
Olivia Crawford
Interim Head Coach & Aquatics CoordinatorOlivia Crawford
Olivia swam for Indianola High School and began her coaching career with the Knoxville Stingrays in 2012 after graduating high school in Knoxville, Iowa. She served as Head Coach through 2023 before accepting the role of Aquatics Coordinator at Summit Pool. Olivia has also coached as both an Assistant Coach and Interim Head Coach for Blaze.
Her favorite strokes to coach are butterfly and breaststroke. Olivia loves pushing athletes to reach their fullest potential while keeping the experience fun and positive.
Jeremiah
Assistant Coach Jeremiah
Swimming has always been a big part of Jeremiah’s life — from competitive swimming to lifeguarding and coaching private swim lessons for swimmers of all ages and skill levels. His favorite strokes to coach are freestyle and backstroke.
What Jeremiah enjoys most about coaching is helping athletes achieve their goals while maintaining a fun, encouraging atmosphere for everyone.
Liv
Assistant Coach Liv
Liv swam club in middle school and taught swim lessons throughout high school and college. She joined Blaze as an Assistant Coach in 2023 and is also a preschool teacher during the day.
Teaching kids has always been a passion for Liv. Her favorite stroke to swim and coach is backstroke, and she loves getting to know each swimmer and creating an environment where they feel comfortable, confident, and supported.
Laura
Assistant Coach Laura
Laura has a lifelong passion for swimming and coaching. She is a teacher at Summit Middle School and also works as a lifeguard, swim instructor, assistant pool manager, and volleyball coach.
Laura is especially skilled at helping our youngest Blaze swimmers get started in the sport and focuses on building strong foundations while refining technique.
Lauren
Assistant Coach Lauren
Lauren grew up in central Minnesota and swam for Alexandria Area High School. She joined Blaze as an Assistant Coach in 2024.
Her favorite skills to coach include endurance swimming, quick turns, and powerful starts. Lauren’s favorite part of coaching is celebrating swimmers’ hard work and progress — big and small.
Hannah
Assistant Coach Hannah
Hannah grew up swimming competitively for the Northside Otters and later swam for the Johnston High School Dragons. After high school, she competed with the Iowa State Cyclones during her freshman year of college.
Hannah has coached with the Northside Otters and taught swim lessons, helping young swimmers build confidence and strong fundamentals. She especially enjoys teaching freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly, and is passionate about creating a positive, fun environment where swimmers grow as athletes and teammates.
Melissa
Assistant Coach Melissa
My name is Melissa Kuennen and I grew up in Lawrence, Kansas. I started swimming at age 8 on the Lawrence Aquahawks swim club. Then continued to swim USA club and four years in high school. I went on to swim in college at the University of Northern Iowa competing in distance freestyle events and 200 butterfly.
I was the aquatics director for the Ankeny YMCA for 9 years and currently work in aquatics/recreation therapy at ChildServe. My husband and I currently live in Grimes with our two boys age 4 and 8 that are in the Johnston school district.
Jake
Assistant Coach Jake
My name is Jake Staton, I am an alumni swimmer for the Johnston Men's high school team and a former Blaze athlete. I have been swimming since the age of 8 and my main events were the 200 Individual Medley, and the 100 Backstroke.
I am currently a student pilot at the Vertical Vision Flight Academy based out of Des Moines International, where I am pursuing a career as a professional pilot.
How We Communicate
How We Communicate
Clear communication helps everything run smoothly.
Primary Communication Tools:
Primary Communication Tools:
BAND App
BAND App
Email
Email
Because coaches are often teaching or supervising swimmers, responses may not be instant — especially during practices or meets.
Thank you for your patience.
How We Work Together at Blaze
How We Work Together at Blaze
Blaze is a team effort between swimmers, parents, and coaches. These shared expectations help keep practices and meets safe, organized, and positive for everyone.
Swimmer Expectations
Swimmer Expectations
Swimmers are expected to:
Follow coach instructions during practices and meets
Stay with the team on deck during swim meets
Treat teammates, coaches, and officials with respect
Try their best — effort and learning matter more than results
Mistakes (including disqualifications at meets) are a normal part of learning the sport.
Parent Expectations
Parent Expectations
Parents are expected to:
Respect Safe Sport rules, including no parent access to the pool deck during practices or meets
Communicate with coaches using Band or email rather than deck-side conversations
Support coaches’ decisions regarding events, readiness, and meet-day management
Encourage swimmer independence as skills and confidence grow
These expectations help swimmers stay focused and safe while learning responsibility and confidence .
What You Can Expect From Us
What You Can Expect From Us
In return, Blaze is committed to providing:
A safe, structured, and supportive environment
Clear communication about schedules, meets, and expectations
Developmentally appropriate coaching
Guidance for both swimmers and parents as they learn the sport
Safe Sport
Safe Sport
USA Swimming’s Safe Sport policies exist to protect athletes and create a positive environment. These rules apply to all teams and all families.
You may notice:
Separate bathrooms for athletes, officials, and spectators
No parent access to the pool deck
Clear supervision procedures during practices and meets
These rules are not meant to be restrictive — they are designed to keep swimmers safe and supported.
Where to Go Next >>
Where to Go Next >>
First Practice
First Practice
What to bring, when to arrive, and what parents should expect.
Is My Swimmer Meet Ready?
Is My Swimmer Meet Ready?
If you’re thinking about meets.
Swim Meet Survival Guide
Swim Meet Survival Guide
If you’ve already signed up for a meet.
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