New Coach Mentors Diverse Collection Of Gold Swimmers

Here’s our Q & A with Kadee Whipple, Chattahoochee Gold’s new coach at the Woodstock Aquatic Center.

How did you come to coach for Gold?

I moved to Atlanta from Los Angeles, California after getting engaged to my fiancé, Tyler Lemen. I previously worked in the accounting world as a CPA for Deloitte & Touche and a small national firm called Green Hasson & Janks. I had always been involved in swimming during my accounting career, running private lessons and training with the masters team, Southern California Aquatic Club (SCAQ).

My love for the sport brought me back to swimming and coaching for Chattahoochee Gold.

What is your background in swimming?

I began my swimming career at age 10-1/2 with the Las Vegas Gold Swim Team. While swimming for Gold, I won the Nevada State Championships in the 50 Butterfly by one one-hundredth of a second at the age of 11. At the age of 14, I was part of a relay that won the 1997 Southern California Junior Olympic Championships in the 4 x 100 IM relay. In high school, I won several Southern Nevada Zone Championships in the 100 breaststroke, 200 IM, and 100 Freestyle. I was also an Academic All-American my senior year of high school.

Heading into my collegiate career, I redshirted my freshman year and trained with Boulder City Henderson Swim Team. From there, I earned a spot on the University of Nevada/Las Vegas (Division I) Swim Team, where I held Top 3 times in the 100 & 200 breaststroke and 200 IM.

After my sophomore year, I transferred schools to Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles (Division I). I swam the 100 and 200 breaststroke, 200IM, 100 Freestyle while adding depth to their backstroke events. I placed Top 8 my sophomore and junior years at the Pacific Collegiate Conference in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events.

What groups do you now coach for Chattahoochee Gold?

I currently coach the Home School, Silver Advanced, Technique & Fitness, and High School groups.

What are your goals in coaching Gold swimmers?

My goals are to continuously learn how to be a good coach through feedback and by simply watching my swimmers grow and improve. I also enjoy watching other Gold coaches on deck. They are so talented and enthusiastic. It’s an amazing environment to be in.

What's the best part of being a swim coach?

Connecting with my kids and learning what makes them tick. I really enjoy watching them progress during the season. It’s such a joy to see their hard work and dedication show at swim meets.

Now in its 25th year, Chattahoochee Gold is one of the first teams in the nation to be awarded Level 4 status by USA Swimming, an honor reserved for the most forward-thinking and organized teams.

PHOTO: Coach Kadee Whipple flanked by some of her swimmers (left to right): Eliza Porter, Samantha Stahler, Jordan Gomez, Alex Washington & Sophie Porter

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