Seahawk Spotlight: Laura Edwards (Chinni)
Name: Laura Edwards (Chinni)
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2010
Events: 200 back, 400 IM, 200 IM
Degree: Communications Studies
Profession: Strength and Conditioning Coach/Personal Trainer
Current residence: Charlotte NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
The bus rides home after the last day of Christmas training. Knowing that we had just trained so hard and we were all finally done with Christmas training and so ready for conference! Either that, or the days where we’d go down to Wrightsville beach for ocean swims and immediately after head to Saltworks for pancakes together.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
My experience as a part of this incredible team has absolutely made me the person I am today. My experiences with the team taught me the true meaning of dedication, hard work, persistence and the value of being a part of a team all working towards a greater good.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I decided (unknowingly) after graduation that I’d try every single career I possibly could and that’s just what I did. I have been a morning show radio host, a real estate sales manager, a manager of several gyms, I helped to build a strength and conditioning program for a swim team and have landed finally as a personal trainer and coach. I recently learned how to snowboard which has made me dislike winter a lot less than I used to and about three months ago I got married. Life has been wild but very good!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Oh man…a tough question. Why did my mind immediately go to Bojangles?? Obviously Wrightsville Beach, Vitos Pizza, Sweet and Savory, Palm Room…it’s hard to just choose one place!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
La Di Da…ALWAYS is the best cheer.
“UNCW Swimming and Diving, the best four years of your life” no truer words 
️
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
For current swimmers and divers…the more you buy into the program and the coaching, the more successful you will be. Enjoy every moment and remember to soak it all in when you can. It goes so fast.
For recent alumni, know that you’re forever part of this family and we’re all here to help each other. Network with fellow alumni and don’t lose touch with your class. We are a rare and special group that we should all always be a part of.
Seahawk Spotlight: Gabe & Hilary Thran
Q&A:
Names: Hilary (Fritz) Thran and Gabe Thran
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2012 (Hilary) and 2014 (Gabe)
Events:
Hilary: 100/200 Back and 200 IM
Gabe: 50/100/200 Free
Degrees:
Hilary: Double Major in Management Information Systems and Finance
Gabe: Double Major in Entrepreneurship/Business Development and Finance
Professions:
Both of us are Technology Consultants
Hilary at IBM and Gabe at Deloitte Consulting
Current residence:
Wilmington, NC off Whiskey Creek!
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Hilary: Coach Allen’s pump-up speech on the first night of CAAs about all of us being his little Christmas presents under the tree ready to be unwrapped to see how fast we would go! And Mrs. Mann’s giant chocolate chip cookies for the bus!
Gabe: Winning the Men’s Championship in 2014 in the relay!
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
We have made lifelong friends and met each other!
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
After graduation, we lived in Alexandria, VA for about 5 years and then happily moved back to Wilmington at the end of 2019! We still enjoy everything about Wilmington, going to the beach, and Gabe loves to surf.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Hillsdale/Nash, Mayfaire, Cookout, Islands, Blue Surf, Tower7, MAW bar, WB, and the Beach Bars!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Hilary: FTB… shout out to Coach Todd!
Gabe: A bad day at the beach is better than a good day anywhere else!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
D1 College Swimming and Diving has made us TOUGH and Resilient. You can take on, endure pretty much anything, work hard, and be successful. Use that to your advantage!
Also, don’t hesitate to use your alumni UNCW Swimming Family and network!
Seahawk Spotlight: Dan Gallagher
Name: Dan Gallagher
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2002
Events: 50 FR, 100 FR, 100 FLY
Degree: Business Mgmt ‘02, MBA ‘14
Profession: Sales, Clinical Research
Current residence:Wilmington, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
There are so many favorite memories: Saturday morning ocean swims, locker room banter, my first college meet in the fall of 1999 at Amercian with JMU and the first Men’s conference win in 2002.
But the memory that probably stands out the most is the time I walked in to the Seahawk Natatorium for the first time during the summer of 1999. I was a transferring sophomore from UNC-Asheville and I drove to Wilmington to meet with Coach Allen to talk about having an opportunity to walk on to the team. I remember walking in to the deck level door and was greeted by the huge welcoming smiles of Coach Allen and Todd Desorbo (grad assistant at the time). I dont recall what exactly we talked about, but I do remember the feeling I got speaking with Coach and Todd, learning about the program and the excitement and anticipation of having a chance to be on the team.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being a part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program has had a huge impact on shaping me in to the person I am today in ways that I continually notice. In particular, the ability to set goals and lay out a pathway to work towards something important is a skill and mindset that swimming helped me to develop.
Just like the ups and downs of a regular swim season, in life, there are days or periods when things are breaking, you don’t feel great and you question what the heck you are doing. Being able to not only handle those times, but to plan for the fact that they are coming sooner or later, has given me an ability to stay optimistic, keep the faith and work towards a solution to different challenges that life will toss out.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Spring of 2022 will mark 20 years since graduating UNCW – 20 years!!!! That alone makes me feel old. Those 20 years have been full of exciting life milestones- moving away from and back to Wilmington, getting married, starting a family and building a career.
I am extremely fortunate to have a wonderful, loving family to spend life with in Wilmington and we enjoy the beach, boating, playing in the pool and our 5 pets (3 cats, a dog and a bunny) together.
I’d like to return to Master’s swimming at UNCW once COVID life gets back to normal but in the meantime, to stay (somewhat) fit, I try to swim, paddle and play in the water as much as possible.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
All of Wilmington! The beach, downtown, Sandbar, campus and the short bike ride from Cardinal House to the Scotchman on Eastwood Rd.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Sea-Sea-Sea- Seaaahaaawwwkkkss!!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy every moment of your college experience and take care of your mind and body.
Being a part of the Swim and Dive team is an amazing way to be a part of a very special family that gives you a solid foundation, the opportunity to build friendships and develop good habits while making the transition to adulthood. The team, the program legacy and the lessons learned will give you strength to overcome any challenge while at school and later in life.
Work hard, play hard and give your all to each other and the team and you will have wonderful memories and a special bond to last a lifetime.
Seahawk Spotlight: George Vlahos
Name: George Vlahos
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2019
Events: 200 Fly/Breast/IM, 400 IM, 500/1650 Free
Degree: Major in Exercise Science, Minor in Biology
Profession: Swim Coach
Current residence: Winston-Salem, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
I was originally being recruited by College of Charleston and had my mind set on going there, until unfortunately during my senior year of high school, the swim and dive team got cut. I reached out to UNCW only to find out that the roster had been full. My plan was to swim through the summer of my senior year of high school and then go to UNCW for school and potentially just do the club team. I then got an email in mid-June asking me if I wanted to tryout for a spot on the team, to which I accepted and made the team there. I had no expectations on the season since I (along with fellow classmates at the time Brad Allison, Joey Kriegler and Mason Trivette) literally got one of the last spots available. At the CAA Championships that year, I went under the freshman record in the 400 IM (until one of my other classmates beat me) and was 3 seconds off the 1650 freshman record and got my first top 8 finish. I just remember all of the upperclassmen coming up to me afterwards and being super excited for what I had done and all I could think at that moment was “this is exactly where I belong.”
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
It taught me to bet on myself, take risks and manage my time. I was never supposed to make the team, until I did. Alway bet on yourself and take chances because you don’t want to have any regrets.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I moved back to Winston-Salem and am currently coaching my old club team of TYDE.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Has got to be Beach Bagels and Michaelangelos!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Flip the switch!!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Again, don’t be afraid to take a risk on yourself. It’s better to have tried and failed, than to have not tried at all.
Seahawk Spotlight: Amy Nelson
Name: Amy Nelson
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of ____ ‘96
Events: 200 Fly and a little bit of this and that.
Degree: BA Spanish
Profession: Business Aviation and Travel
Current residence: Norwalk CT
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
The best thing about being ona team was knowing you were never alone…from Freshman year living in Galloway with Wendy, Fathom, Christina, Aimee. to biking around campus and always seeing someone crossing paths…eating at Wagoner Hall… there was always a teammate around and you never had to do it alone. Saturday evening exhausted from the pier to pier swim…. and going to the house. Freshman study hall in the library. But it was being able to spend so much time together that when we walked on to the pool deck.. the noise and banging on the boards it made your heart skip a beat and beam with pride. And being the home of the Seahawks was something special. It was a family affair. It was and is always a Great Day to be a Seahawk.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
I swam Freshman and Sophomore year and wanted to go abroad my Junior year… so I didn’t swim that year and wow how I missed it. but when I came back my senior year I realized how important swimming was to me… Coach Allen supported me throughout it all and how the team accepted me as well upon my return . And even taking a year off and it took the entire season but I peaked at EC AC’s my last swim of my college career. It was one of those times that you learn don’t give up and Teammates are for life. So I have learned don’t give up even when it’s hard .. the pay off is worth it and know that you can always always count on a Seahawk teammate/alumni in life.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Yikes.. when you graduated as long ago as I have… the list is long but in a nutshell I have traveled the world as a Flight Attendant first for Delta Airlines and then I went into corporate Aviation as a flight attendant and a flight attendant supervisor. Since UNCW, I have lived in Los Angels, New York City, San Francisco, 3 cities in CT and then Anchorage back to CT. For a period of time I was doing triathlons, and ran a number of marathons which I loved. My husband, Frank, and I have 3 children, Francesca (8), Lucas (6) and Catrina (4), we both lived quite a bit before having kids.I’m still involved in Corporate Aviation, but recently have dived into the world of being a Travel Advisor. Since I’m not traveling as much as I used to, I love helping people plan their travel adventures anywhere in the world.
Two years ago I was diagnosed with a brain tumor (meningioma) and thankfully with many prayers and the skills of great surgeons it was removed. It was a short chapter, but it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It’s in these times knowing you have teammates that will always cheer and pray for you. You are never alone in good and bad and ugly times… you have a team backing you up… no matter how old you are you’ve got a team.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Riding my beach cruiser around campus. It was the best thing… being able to ride and tow someone on the handlebars from the Library to Wagoner Hall. Full speed ahead…Before they put in fancy lakes and and bridges and other things. PT’s.. The Oceanic when parents came into town for special occasions.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Home of the SEAHAWKS!!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Represent – Get the most out of your college career… become a part of the UNCW community. I LOVED being a part of the team, but I loved being involved as an Orientation Leader for a few years and was a UNCW Ambassador (gave tours back in the day). Not sure how I had time but I also worked in the Office of Student Affairs. . Being able to represent the team by being involved in the university community speaks volume to everyone. . You never know how those connections will help in your career in the future. Stay connected with this amazing Seahawk team/family. You are never alone… and always reach out for the good, the bad and ugly times in life.
Seahawk Spotlight: Andrew Coen
Name: Andrew Coen
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2004
Events: 200 Breast, 200/400 IM
Degree: Business Administration
Profession: Business Owner and Territory Manager
Current residence: Charlotte, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
All of the amazing relationships I developed. Not only with some of my best friends I talk to and see regularly, its also the deep feeling of connection for everyone in the program. I would go to bat for every one of you. (I have a specific memory for the video)
There is one specific memory and it has a date… February 22, 2002. It was the year we put a crown on everything that Coach and all the alumni who came before us had built. After getting second at my freshman year conference championships we knew we had something special. We completely came together that next season with a singular goal, it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever been a part of in my life and i’ll never forget it. (close second is saving the program). As the season progressed we were so confident, probably borderline arrogant, that we were going to win CAA’s. JMU had won the previous 7 of 9 championships and we knew we were going to take them down, so much so that we had shirts made up for the first night of finals that called our shot. On the front it said “February 22, 2002…” and on the back said “That was the night everything changed.” The rest is history.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
It has given me the relationships I mentioned above, but also taught me about myself and what I can accomplish through highs and lows.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
My wife Lily and I have 3 amazing children named Lyla (11), Emilia (6), and Theo (1.5). We own a women’s boutique clothing store here in Charlotte named K-LA that we are very proud of… If we’re being honest I’m basically a glorified handyman and heavy lifter, my wife is the real reason the business is successful. But I do know more about women’s clothing than I ever thought I would! I also have my day job at Maglin Site furniture where I work with architects and designers to help create amazing green spaces for our communities. When we aren’t working we like to hang out with friends and family at our pool (raising water bugs), and I try to get several swims in a week. Never know when I finally join masters or even need to hustle someone at the local swim club! We also like to travel when we can; my wife is from Bogota, Colombia so getting back there again soon is on the list of post-pandemic to-do’s!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Wrightsville Beach. It was one of the main deciding factors in attending UNCW. And being on the ocean rescue squad didn’t hurt…
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Hawkpride!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
You are developing lifelong skills and relationships throughout your time in the UNCW swimming and diving program. These are skills that will benefit you, whatever you do in life. The relationships are ones that you will able to lean on when you need it the most. Take care of both and cultivate them and no doubt you will be successful.
Seahawk Spotlight: Amanda (Cameron) Sipes
Name: Amanda (Cameron) Sipes
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2009
Events: 200 free and 500 free
Degree: Exercise Science and Health
Profession: Recruiter for CastleBranch
Current residence: Wilmington, North Carolina
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Maybe not favorite but, every year Christmas Training is during my birthday and even though it was not the best way to celebrate my birthday I still got to celebrate it with 50 of my closest friends :).
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being part of the swimming and diving team has impacted my life by helping me realize that you can do anything. If you can swim for two to three hours a day twice a day- you can pretty much do anything you put your mind to and it is never as bad as a practice.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
When I graduated in 2009 I moved to Wrightsville Beach and met my husband. We got married in 2013 and have two daughters; Olivia who is three and Ruby who is one. We try to go to the beach as much as possible and enjoy everything that Wilmington has to offer!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Wrightsville Beach, beach bars, PT’s
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Every time I hear Sweet Caroline I can’t help to smile and think of Coach Allen dancing on the pool deck.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Swimming is hard. Being a collegiate athlete is hard. Make sure you celebrate the success you had over the years and use it to your advantage. Being part of the program has taught me so much and provided me resources that I never knew I had.
Seahawk Spotlight: Michael Krayer
Name: Michael Krayer
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2006
Events: 50, 100, 200 free
Degree: Chemistry & Marine Biology
Profession: Scientist
Current residence: Charlotte, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
In the pool my favorite memory was the CAA record setting 400 freestyle relay. It was the last event of the meet and we found out just before the race that we already won the CAA Championship team title (the 2nd in our 13 year dynasty). Everyone was ecstatic, but we still wanted to kick JMU’s butt. I led off with a freshmen record in the 100 free (which ended up being my PB all four years) and UNCW legends Tiago Barreira, Adam Brenneman and Dave Sokolofsky finished off JMU and the rest of the field in record setting fashion.
Outside of the pool my favorite memory was playing “Balcony Ball” for hours on end. The goal of Balcony Ball was to shoot a Basketball and balance it on the railing of the 2nd floor balcony in the Peach Palace (44 Hillsdale ). This was pretty much an impossible shot, so if anyone made it we all (whoever was hanging out at the Peach Palace at the time) had to stop what we were doing (studying, watching SouthPark, napping, playing Tony Hawk,…) and go out.
Kevin Norman playing Balcony Ball
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
I always say that being a student athlete was the hardest thing (mentally and physically) I have done in my life. Keeping up with classes while being physically exhausted from hours in the pool and weight room and then having to perform on a high level in exams and during swim meets in front of hundreds of cheering people gave me the confidence to take on most of life’s challenges. There were definitely lessons learned along the way! One particular comes to mind on how to not handle a stressful situation, which involved my fist and a brick wall during a dual-meet against NCSU, but I will not go into further details here.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
After graduating from UNCW in 2006 I went to NCSU to get a PhD in Chemistry and then started working for a global Chemical Company (BASF) in 2011. Along the way I met my wonderful wife during a Masters swim meet and we moved to Charlotte, NC in 2013. I continue Masters swimming on a semi-regular basis and love to come back to Wilmington especially for the Pier-2-Pier Races (in memory of Grey Liston and Ryan Young).
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
During the semester there really wasn’t much time outside of the pool, weight room, Wagoner hall (Dining Hall) or Dobo Hall (Science building). Out of those I would like to say the weight room was my favorite . During off season I tried to spend as much time on the beach as possible.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Of course the best slogan ever is: “It’s a great day to be a Seahawk!”
But my favorite pump up cheer was Billy breaking us down (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROIcMtvtVeY)
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy the ride and regret nothing!
Seahawk Spotlight: Adrienne Sutton
Name: Adrienne Sutton
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2000
Events: 100 & 200 breaststroke, 200 & 400 IM
Degree: B.S. in biology with chemistry minor, then PhD from University of Maryland
Profession: Oceanography
Current residence: beautiful Seattle, Washington
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Saturday ocean swims. Saturday ocean swims. Saturday ocean swims! I mean, I’m an oceanographer! It’s two of my favorite things in one!
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
First, life-long friendships. Four women in my class in particular (you know who are!) make up a group of friends who have been foundational in the adventure of my adult life. Second, confidence. Working as a team, spending time as a captain, and being a part of winning two CAA Championships made me feel like I could go out into the world and make a difference.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I’ve moved west and discovered a way of life I feel most at home in. Surrounded by water and mountains and marine mammals and birds of prey and towering trees and all the things that bring me awe and joy! I landed my dream job leading a set of climate records from ocean observatories, studying the exchange of carbon dioxide between the ocean and atmosphere, and developing new ocean observing technology for NOAA. I’m also affiliate faculty at the University of Washington and enjoy mentoring the next generation of ocean scientists. When I’m not working, I’m playing outside, tending my little urban farm, and partnering in a cooperative business building a new model elevating arts, culture, and history in diverse South Seattle.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Wrightsville Beach. Detecting a theme here?
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
My most dominant memory is hearing coaches Allen and Whorley plus a few teammates whistle every time I came up for air in breaststroke. It could get really loud at key meets and gave me a huge adrenaline rush! Such a great example of how your team helps you be the best you.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Take risks. Follow your heart. Do things differently. See the world. Respect Earth.
Help build UNCW Springboard Diving Dryland Center
UNCW diving is currently looking to secure funding for its first ever springboard diving dryland center in Wilmington NC. UNCW Diving is a 42-year-old program that has created multiple CAA Conference Champions, NCAA Zone Qualifiers, and an NCAA all-American. For the program to reach the next competitive level the dryland center will allow us to gain more repetitions in a safe and secure environment that will minimize injury while maximizing the potential of our student athletes. Along with the college the center will benefit the local diving club team which has produced national level USA Diving and Amateur Athletic qualifiers, NC state high school regional and state champions. Your donation will help the young student athletes reach their competitive dreams, while learning that hard work, success and achievement can benefit them outside of sport.
This dryland center is built in memory of a former Seahawk Diver, Giovanni Villanueva. G was taken from us too soon. He died from epilepsy, 1 year after taking home gold and bronze for UNCW at the conference championship.
Thank you for your support and donation. Go Fund Me Link