Coach Mary Giles is looking forward to her 25th year directing the Gold Coast Water Polo Club.

This will also be her 25th year at Ventura College. She is the head mens and womens swim coach at Ventura College. She led the Pirates to their fourth consecutive Western State Conference Championship, the seventh in her 12 years as coach (2001, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011). Her teams have also captured two of the past three CCCAA State Scholar Team Awards (2007, 2009). At Ventura College, she is also an instructor of Health, Holistic Health, and Kinisiology. Her kids play water polo and she loves her Kids! 

Coach Giles (McDonough) was born and raised in Ventura. She attended Buena High School where she was a member of the swim team and played water polo on the boy’s team. While attending Ventura College, she was a two-year All-WSC and All-American swimmer, and played on the first women’s water polo club team at Ventura College. She was the swimming MVP her second year before transferring to San Jose State.

While at San Jose, Giles swam for Roseann Benson and played water polo under the coaching of Lou Tully. She captained the Spartans’ water polo team for three years, was a three year Western Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete, a three year SJSU Outstanding Athlete and a 1998 Mountain Pacific Scholar Athlete. She earned her bachelor’s degree cum laude in 1999 from San Jose State, majoring in nutritional science with minors in chemistry and health, and was a Dean’s Scholar. Giles completed her teaching credential at Cal Lutheran University. She earned her master’s degree in education with an emphasis in physical education from Azusa Pacific University in 2003.

Coach Mike Giles brings with him a  tremendous amount of experience working with swimming and water polo  athletes from novice to national levels. He has also worked along side  some of the best swimming and water polo coaches in the nation. His  programs have helped develop outstanding high school and collegiate  athletes, as well as past and present Olympians.

He has been a Head Zone Coach for swimming and water polo, founded the CIF-Southern  Section High School Girls Water Polo Banquet, and, along with Mary, he helped lead a contingent of local coaches and programs in successfully bringing the USAWP National JO’s to Ventura County. Ultimately, his teams have won numerous Championships in both swimming and water polo from local to national levels of club, high school, and college.

Now, as a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Newbury Park High School, he looks forward to bringing his experience to our Gold Coast program and giving our athletes the best opportunity to prepare for a successful high school career and beyond.

Tom is a two-time UC Irvine All-American, where he set and still holds the UC Irvine water polo record for most consecutive starts, starting each possible game of his collegiate career from his red shirt freshman year in 1994, through the completion of his senior season in 1997. He was instrumental in leading UC Irvine to NCAA top 5 finishes each of his years as a starter. During his college years, Davis also had the privilege of competing with both the men's junior national team and national team programs. He began his water polo career at La Habra High School, where he was a two-time All-CIF selection, and freeway league player of the year his senior year. 

Currently, Davis is the Club Director for Channel Islands United Water Polo Alliance, where he also leads the 18U Boys Gold Team. He also coaches at Buena High School, where he surpassed 100 career wins last year. Davis serves as a member of the Coastal Zone Board, is the Head of Boys Olympic Development Program for the Coastal Zone, and was appointed Commissioner of USA Water Polo's National League for the 2025 season. Tom was also named USA Water Polo's 2025 Barbara Kalbus Distinguished Volunteer National Award Winner. 

Coach Tawney is a former BuenaVentura and Channel Islands club swimmer who discovered water polo freshman year (Division 1 Channel League), playing with the boys and championing the first-ever high school girls program in Ventura County until it became a CIF-sanctioned sport her senior year. She earned MVP honors 4 times in swimming and 3 times in water polo, qualified for CIF DI 3 years, and then played 2 seasons at UCSB. After graduating from UCSB and Pepperdine University, she coached Varsity Girls Swim (17 seasons) and Water Polo (5 seasons) at Camarillo High School (Division 2 and 3), qualifying for CIF each season. In the meantime, she has competed at Master’s Nationals and FINA champs, coached her children at GoldCoast Aquatics at the 10u/12u/14u and HS levels for the past 8 years, coached at Junior Olympics at the platinum level, and competed in in-state and out-of-country tournaments. Her 16u A team recently finished 2nd at Futures and 15th nationally at Junior Olympics in the Platinum division. This past high school polo season, she was fortunate to serve as an assistant coach for her daughter’s Ventura High team, which finished with a CIF D2 entry. 

Wolf will return as the Channel Islands United Technical Director. 

Current UCSB Men’s Coach, former Olympian, SBP Head Director. Wolf Wigo is a 3-time member and Team Captain of the U.S. Olympic Water Polo Team (1996, 2000, 2004), member of the 1997 U.S. World Champion National Team, was named USA Water Polo’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1999, 2000 & 2003, named All-World First Team in 2000, and was a Team Captain, 4-time All-American and 2-time National Champion while leading the Stanford Cardinal water polo team in college.  Considered one of the best U.S. water polo players to have ever played the game, Wigo has participated on an unapparelled 24 National Champion teams as a player or a coach, including playing for the Senior National Champion New York Athletic Club team in 2021.  Wigo is the founder of Santa Barbara Premier Water Polo Club, co-founder of KAP7 International, and has been the Head Coach for UC Santa Barbara’s men’s water polo program for the past 17 seasons, a period in time when the program has consistently been ranked in the Top-10 nationally. 

CIU and Buene High School

Assistant Coach at UCSB

Mark will coach swim and WP conditioning for the HS program on Wednesday evenings.  Coach Mark has been an integral part of the swim conditioning development, and has helped build the reputation of the CIU youth program as the most dangerous counter-attack team in the nation.  

An Olympian, multi-event national swim champion, and former long-time Head Coach of Santa Barbara Swim Club (2012-2018) and Santa Barbara Aquatics Club (2009-2012).  Warkentin’s accomplishments in the pool include 1996 Olympic Trials Finalist (400 Freestyle), 1999 World University Games 4xGold Medalist, 2000 Olympic Trials Finalist (200 Freestyle), former Pac-12 Record Holder (400 IM), and 4xNCAA All-American swimming for the University of Southern California.  In open water swimming, Warkentin was 2006 National Champion in the 25K, 4th place in the 25K at the 2007 World Championships, 2007 National Champion in the 10K and 25K, Silver Medalist in the 25K at the 2008 World Championships, 2008 National Champion in the 10K and 25K, and 8th place at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  As a coach at SBSC and SBAC, Mark coached numerous athletes to distinction including multiple National and Southern California records. 

Assistant Coach at UCSB

Ventura high School Head Coach

Former SB Premier and UCSB athlete.

Former SB Premier and UCSB athlete.

Started competitively swimming at age 6 and water polo age 7. Played polo in high-school, while predominantly being a club swimmer. Currently holding 4 records at Oxnard High. Stayed swimming until college at VC, and then transitioned to coaching. Currently coaching at Foothill Tech, Buena High, and Gold Coast Water Polo club. Second year as head coach, but fourth year coaching at Foothill Tech. Was assistant coach for boys waterpolo, and first year as head coach for Buena girls waterpolo. Fifth year coaching at Gold Coast Waterpolo Club. 

Merrick is a highly accomplished water polo athlete and emerging coach with a strong background in both water polo and competitive swimming. A graduate of Ventura High School with a 4.49 weighted GPA Cumma Sum Laude, Merrick was a varsity starter all four years and served as team captain. He earned Ventura County Star All-County Player of the Year honors (2023), All-CIF First Team recognition, and multiple Channel League First Team selections.

At the club level, Merrick competed with Channel Islands United and Gold Coast, earning All-American honors, competing at Junior Olympics, and representing the ODP Coastal Zone at National Championships, including a Top-3 national finish. His experience also includes international training in Croatia and national-level competition in both water polo and swimming.

In addition to his athletic achievements, Merrick brings leadership and service to his coaching role. He has volunteered over 100 hours at Ventura Aquatic Center and currently coaches with Gold Coast Water Polo Club. A bilingual Spanish speaker and longtime participant in dual immersion programs, Merrick connects well with athletes and families from diverse backgrounds.

Merrick is passionate about developing confident, disciplined athletes while promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and a strong work ethic in and out of the pool.

Scott Serino, is a proud dad of three. My two oldest are already playing water polo, continuing a family tradition that runs deep. I grew up in Ventura County, where my brothers, sister, and nephews all played the sport. I competed at Thousand Oaks High School and was part of the CIF Championship team in 2001—an experience that shaped both my love for the game and my commitment to teamwork.

Over the years, I’ve coached my kids in a variety of sports and have been proud to help coach at Gold Coast Water Polo Club since 2022. Coaching gives me the opportunity to share not only the fundamentals of the game, but also the values of discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship.

Outside the pool, I enjoy swimming, surfing, camping, and spending time in the Sierra Nevada—especially exploring the mountains with my family.

Christian Guillaume is one of the girls varsity water polo coaches at Buena High School. He has been coaching boys and girls athletes ranging from 10u to 18u for three years at Buena High School and CIU/Gold Coast. During his water polo career, he was a league MVP at Ventura High School and a 3x All-American at Occidental College. 

CIU and Ventura College Assistant Coach. 

CIU and Ventura College Head Coach. 

Former VHS player, Team MVP, Ventura College Player. former Ventura High Varsity player, just finished her sophomore year playing at Ventura College as an attacker. She is an all-American player for VC, first- team all Conference and leading scorer and assist for VC this 2023 and 2024 season. Also, she was the women’s Pirate of the Year for women’s water polo and plans to play the next two years in college.  

Coach Annika started playing water polo her freshman year in high school at Foothill Tech and immediately fell in love with the sport. Her dedication in the water earned her CIF Southern Section swimming and water polo honors and ultimately the opportunity to study and play water polo at UC San Diego. She earned All-Big West Second team, All-Freshman team, and Honorable Mention honors during her college career. She also served as team captain her senior year. She previously coached athletes of all ages at La Jolla United Water Polo Club from 2021-2024, including head coaching 14u Girls at Junior Olympics for two seasons. She also has helped coach at the ODP level for the PSW Zone Youth team. Currently, Annika works at CMH as an EMT, and hopes to become a firefighter paramedic in the future. She is excited to continue coaching at the club level to impart her water polo passion and knowledge to the younger generation in her hometown. 

Former collegiate and club athlete in water polo, swimming, and softball who has successfully transitioned competitive experience into coaching and athletic performance development. A stand-out MVP at Camarillo High in three Varsity sports, Heather is currently certified in NFHS refereeing and out on the pool deck during the high school season. She also coached at Ventura College's swim and dive program in strength and conditioning and served as Head Coach at Camarillo High. Current Master’s women's water polo player. 

Started playing polo in 1973 at San Francisco State University after several years of competitive swimming. Moved to Ventura in 1974, trained with the VC polo team. Trained as a goalie and played two seasons as the starting VC goalie. Coached the U14 girls team for one year at JO Quals. Have played at Masters Nationals several years, including on the 60’s national champion team in 2019. Played in the Masters Pan Am games, Senior Games, and internationally in Iceland. This is his third year as goalie coach for Gold Coast. 

Played 2 years at Golden West College, earning 1st team All-American and Team Captain before transferring to play at D1 Fresno State. Again selected as Team Captain, she led the team to first ever Golden Coast Conference. After Fresno, Isabella coached at Clovis High School, leading the team to 3 consecutive Valley Championships. Currently, she is an assistant coach at Ventura High School for the Girls Varsity team, which qualified for the D2 CIF Southern Section. 

Coach Russell Russo is excited to join the 2026 Club Water Polo season and bring his experience, leadership, and passion for the sport to the program.

A Santa Barbara native, Coach Russo grew up playing water polo locally and competed as a four-year varsity goalie at Dos Pueblos High School. During his time at DP, the team captured back-to-back CIF Championships in his junior and senior years. He also competed at the club level with Santa Barbara Premier Water Polo, further developing his skills and competitive experience.

Coach Russo continued his athletic career at the collegiate level at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he played four years as a goalie. His time as a collegiate athlete shaped his understanding of high-level training, discipline, and team culture.

Professionally, Coach Russo has built and led successful high school programs. Most recently, he served as the Head Boys and Girls Water Polo Coach and Head Boys and Girls Swim Coach at Del Sol High School (2023–2024). There, he developed both programs from the ground up—recruiting athletes, organizing fundraising efforts, managing budgets, coordinating equipment purchases, and scheduling competitions. He also emphasized athlete development by teaching foundational swim skills, strength and conditioning, and proper in- and out-of-water training techniques.

Previously, Coach Russo coached Boys and Girls Water Polo at El Toro High School, helping lead the girls’ program to a Division I All-League Championship and a CIF Division I Finals appearance. He also served as a Goalie Coach and Assistant Coach at Concordia University Irvine, where he designed specialized training programs for goalkeepers and assisted in implementing collegiate-level training and nutritional strategies.

Coach Russo currently serves as the Boys and Girls Water Polo Coach at Carpinteria High School, where he continues to develop student-athletes both competitively and personally.

With experience as a CIF Champion, collegiate athlete, program builder, and dedicated mentor, Coach Russo is committed to fostering a competitive, disciplined, and positive team environment. He looks forward to helping athletes grow in skill, confidence, and love for the game throughout the 2026 season.

Aaron James Smith has been involved with water polo for the last decade, serving as a parent, board member, and coach with Santa Barbara Premier and Channel Islands United. A former standout swimmer and still an avid surfer, he balances his love for the ocean with his dedication on deck. For the past two years, he’s coached the Carpinteria High School boys’ and girls’ water polo teams, fostering growth and teamwork. Aaron is also a member of the Carpinteria Boosters Club and serves on the school district’s Board of Trustees. He’s passionate about sports because they teach young people resilience, teamwork, and confidence—skills that shape them far beyond the pool. And he takes great joy in cheering on local athletes—including his three children. 

A former Junior National Team athlete and All-American, she competed with Santa Barbara Water Polo Club and played at Santa Barbara High, and is a current Masters player. Years of elite competition built a foundation of resilience, discipline, and composure under pressure. Today, she works in high-level security, bringing that same intensity, strategic focus, and calm command to environments where performance matters most, with a zero-fail mission. Whether in the pool or in the field, she operates with confidence, strength, and an unwavering standard of excellence. 

Started playing polo in 1973 at San Francisco State University after several years of competitive swimming. Moved to Ventura in 1974, trained with the VC polo team. Trained as a goalie and played two seasons as the starting VC goalie. Coached the U14 girls team for one year at JO Quals. Have played at Masters Nationals several years, including on the 60’s national champion team in 2019. Played in the Masters Pan Am games, Senior Games, and internationally in Iceland. This is his third year as goalie coach for Gold Coast. 

Former GC and SB805 player, VHS alum, Gold Coast Goalie Coach, former Ventura High Varsity Senior, currently playing at CSUN as a goalie, CIF Division II goalie, former GoldCoast Player, GoldCoast Junior Olympic Champion. The senior goalkeeper averaged 10 saves and one block per game and was named to the all-Channel League first team. 

Former Gold Coast player, current GC Coach, Ventura College Player. VC Student and current college player. former Buena High School Girls Water Polo Ast. Coach. Former Gold Coast and CIU Junior Olympic Team Player.   

CIA Youth Club Swimmer, HS Varsity Water Polo and Swim, VC Polo Player and Swim, HS Swim Coach (5 Seasons), HS JV & Varsity Polo Coach (6 Seasons),  Aquatic Manager (28 years), Sponsorship /Communication Coordinator with National Auto Sport Association (4 years), Race Car Driver and Owner (12 years), Social Media Specialist (11 years) Photographer (40 years).