Coaches Corner
Coach Melanie grew up swimming at NWSC where she fell in love with the sport. She swam for Upper Arlington and Westerville Aquatic club in USA swimming and at Bishop Watterson High School. An unfortunate knee injury prevented her from swimming in college. Melanie rejoined NWSC when her three children were young to enjoy all that Northwest has to offer. They have grown up with a love for the water. Her daughter Skylar swims with the senior group. Melanie was an assistant coach for five years before taking over as head coach in 2019. Coach Melanie took on the role of an assistant coach at Central Ohio Aquatics in the fall of 2021 in their Gold group and is now the Head Coach of their Novice and Bronze Groups. In the off season from NWSC she is a Reading Intervention Specialist with Columbus City Schools. You can email Coach Melanie at [email protected].
Coaching Staff
Head Dive Coach: Chloe Merriss
Coach Chloe grew up in Westerville and was active in gymnastics. An injury took her out of gymnastics and she tried diving for the first time her freshman year of high school and fell in love! She dove all four years for Westerville Central and went on to dive in college at the University of Cincinnati. When not coaching summer dive for the Tigersharks she works in Operations and HR for 16 Great Clips Salons. She loves to travel and lives in Clintonville with her husband, young son, and their two dogs Daisy and Bodie.
Cortney Jones
Coach Cortney grew up at NWSC just like Coach Melanie. She began swimming at the age of 5 and also swam for Upper Arlington's USA team and Bishop Watterson. Cortney has been coaching at NWSC as an assistant coach since 2014. In the off-season Cortney is a special education teacher in Southwestern City Schools. She married her husband Tom in November 2019. They have a son Drew and a new baby girl Harper born in March! Cortney will be coaching the Senior and Junior Groups!
Coach Julie
Julie began coaching in 2022 after her kids joined the team in 2021 and fell in love with all the Tiger Shark team has to offer! She swam at Ohio University and continues to swim as part of a Masters program. Coach Julie coaches the Senior group and the 9/10 Junior group.
Coach Dominic
Coach Dominic grew up swimming at NWSC. He graduated from Centennial High School in 2021 and is attending Columbus State pursuing a degree in Radiology. He will be helping with the 8&under and the 6&under groups.
Coach Patty
Coach Patty has been coaching in Central Ohio for over 40 years. She primarily coached at Olympic Pool before it closed and the Tiger Sharks were lucky enough to have her join us. She is the head coach of the 6&under.
Coach Alicia
Coach Alicia grew up diving at NWSC! She still holds a dive record in the 15/18 age group for the Tiger Sharks! She has been assisting Coach Chloe since 2021. All 4 over her kids either dive or swim on the team.
Coach Aiden
Coach Aiden dove for Centennial High School and for the Tiger Sharks. He has been an assistant coach since 2021 as he attends college.
