Sunrise Sharks

Hello Sharks and Sharks Families!

I am so excited to be back for another season! From the moment my children joined the Sunrise Sharks in 2018, I knew this team was more than just a summer swim program—it was a family. Last season I learned so much from all our Sharks and their families.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with and coaching children and young adults, helping them grow both in and out of the water. My goal this season is to continue to support all our swimmers and coaches in reaching their fullest potential by setting individual swim goals and working closely with each coach to track progress. Most importantly, I want every family to feel at home with the Sharks. I truly hope to improve communication, skills, and attendance to MOC for all those who wish to attend. I learned a great deal last season but something that became very obvious is that open communication, tempered expectations, and respect are a must. There are usually close to 200 swimmers in the water each season and not one of them is more important or valuable than another. We are a team and should behave as one at all times.

Swimming is more than just a sport—it’s an essential life skill. My own journey began at the age of 10, swimming for a recreational team in El Paso, Texas. I quickly fell in love with the sport and continued swimming throughout high school. Today, as a USA Swimming official, my passion for swimming has only grown.

Both of my children started with the Sharks and loved it so much that they now swim year-round. Sunrise Sharks is a cornerstone of our community, and I cannot wait for the exciting season ahead.

Go Sharks! 🦈💙

Some of Coach Leslie’s favs…butterfly, loves to read, cook & bake, life revolves around family and swim, Amazon, Ulta, TJ Maxx, color: pink & black, Dino: Pterodactyl,  animal: panda, sports team: Chivas Fútbol (Mexican Soccer), movie/show: Clue is my all time favorite movie. Other movies I like are Love Actually, all the Harry Potter Movies, all the Twilght movies, and The Village. Criminal Minds is my all time favorite show! Currently watching The Closer. Places to eat: Panera, Jamba Juice, Mendocino Farms, Nick the Greek, BJs, Plan B, Wendy's, and Haya Sushi, ice cream: mint chocolate chip & Rocky road, candy: Swedish Fish, Hi Chew, Gummy anything, snacks: Hot Cheetos, seaweed, jicamas, mangos, guacamole, drinks: water, ice tea, coffee, Starbucks: Caramel Machiato 2 extra pumps vanilla when it's cold and pink drink no strawberries when it's hot. Dutch: hot white coffee white mocha when it's cold and raspberry italian soda with cream when it is hot, special talent: I speak 3 languages and I'm great at solving riddles. No diet restrictions but doesn’t like cilantro-tastes like soap, wears a shirt size 2X or unisex XL

My swimming career started at the age of 10 with Carmichael Beavers where my stepdad was my coach for 5 years, then moved to Fair Oaks Dolphins where I finished my rec swim career at 18. I began Jr. Coaching at 14 for the Beavers and continued with Dolphins. I also swam and played water polo for Del Campo High School and started lifeguarding and swim lessons at 15 ½ here at Rusch Park, MY FIRST JOB! After I graduated high school, I taught year-round indoor swim lessons at Dolphin Swim School. I learned so much there, teaching for eight hours a day really helped me learn the art of “how to” swim. I left aquatics for a bit but couldn’t stay away for long and started teaching private swimming lessons. Most recently, I spent my last few summers with the Carmichael Beavers, two years as their Team Manager and last year I took a step in another direction as a parent board member. I wore many hats as Team Manager but being able to lead, coach and set an example to the other coaches is what I feel I did most, and got the swimmers excited!!

Some of Coach Jessica’s favs…backstroke, collect anything Winnie the Pooh and Loungefly, walking at the river, taking my dog on walks, being outside in the sun, coloring, listening to a good book, hanging out with my family, going to the gym, Ross, Bath & Body Works and Nike. Color: pink, turquoise and lavender, dino: Pterodactyl, animal: elephant or hippopotamus, sports team: Dallas Cowboys and Sacramento Kings, movie/show: Greys Anatomy & anything Disney, places to eat: In N Out, Chipotle, Texas Roadhouse, ice cream: peanut butter chocolate or icing on the cake, candy: anything gummy or anything sour & gummy, snacks: hot Cheetos, takis-only the original, beef sticks, white cheddar cheez-its and apple sauce pouches, drinks: coconut water, diet Coke, Red Bull (sugar free too), cool blue Gatorade, Starbucks: I’m that girl and I’ve typed it out exactly how to order it… 5 Iced Blonde Ristretto Espresso shots in a Venti Cup, inside please add 1 pump white mocha, 1 pump brown sugar, with extra extra ice, salted caramel cold foam, caramel drizzle just on top, and a dash of cinnamon powder. That’s my go to any day of the week. If it’s evening or afternoon, I’ll go for a Black Tea Lemonade with peach juice and half sweet, a Dragon Drink, or if it’s really gloomy out, I’ll do a hot chai with a couple pumps brown sugar syrup! Dutch: Blended Rebel with Strawberry, Pomegranate, Watermelon, and Sweet Cream, Extra Thick, special talent: I can play the flute, I can cook anything from scratch, or I’ll try, and I’m a barista! Diet restrictions: small allergy to tomatoes but I still love salsa, wears a shirt size medium.

I am so excited to be back at Rusch Park this summer. As I said before, Rusch was my first job, and I learned a lot here. I’m excited to give back what I learned and share so much of the knowledge I’ve gained since then. Swimming is a huge passion of mine and something I’ve never been able to let go of since starting swim team at age 10. In some way, shape or form, aquatics has stuck around me and now I’m excited to bring that to you!! When I’m not on the pool deck, I wear a second hat as a Starbucks Shift Supervisor and have been with Starbucks since October 2021. I love making customers drinks, I love those crazy orders! I find them to be more challenging and fulfilling. When I’m not on the deck or at Starbucks, I’m at home with my little blended family. My Husband, my bonus son, my bonus daughter, and my son…we stay busy, but I love it!! I’m an open book, if you’d like to know more, please ask! I can’t wait to meet you all this season, GO Sharks!!

I started swimming in 7th grade for the Del Norte Dolphins and went on to swim for the El Camino Eagles in high school. I started coaching in 2021 for the Del Norte Dolphins, my favorite part of coaching is getting to watch the kids improve in the sport, just as I did when I was younger. I am currently taking classes & swimming at American River College, studying business. My favorite stroke is backstroke and I am looking forward to a great summer of fun. I can’t wait to see you all on deck.

Some of Coach Christian's favs...backstroke, welding, water polo, hiking, Legos, sports memorabilia, Target, color: green, dino: Stegosaurus, animal: dog, sports team: 49ers & Kings, movie/show: Outer Banks, places to eat: In n Out and Chili's, ice cream: cookie dough, candy: sour patch watermelon & Nerds gummy clusters, snacks: Takis & Turbos, drinks: monster or redbull, Dutch: surprise blended rebel w/ strawberry boba, special talent: singing/rapping, no diet restrictions, and wears a shirt size large. P.S. my favorite music artist is Kendrick Lamar ;)

I’ve been swimming since I was three years old, stared in rec and moved to club at five. I’m now in my second year as a NCAA D3 swimmer at Skidmore College, where I’m working towards my chemistry degree. My favorite part of coaching is watching the group progress over time and having a fun team culture.

Some of Coach Graham’s favs…backstroke, Rubin’s cubes, weight lifting, rowing, color: blue, dino: Concavenator, animal: elephant, sports team: Chicago Bears, movie/show: Love Island, places to eat: Chick fil A, ice cream: strawberry, candy: Reese’s, snacks: pretzels, drinks: water, Starbucks/Dutch: Vanilla Cold Brew, special talent: completing Rubik’s cubes, no diet restrictions, and wears a shirt size large.

I started coaching for Sunrise Sharks in 2021 and swam on Sunrise for 12 years. I also swam at Antelope High School for 4 years and swam one year at Sierra College. I am currently going to school at University of Reno, majoring in Early Childhood Education and plan to become a teacher. The thing I love most about coaching is seeing how much the kids improve throughout the season.

Some of Coach Lexi's favs...backstroke, artwork, seashells, jewlery, swimming, Target, color: green, dino: T-Rex, animal: frog, sports teams: Las Vegas Raiders, movie/show: Second Hand Lions, places to eat: Chick-fil-a, Chipotle, Taco Bell, In-N-Out, ice cream: strawberry, candy: Twix & skittles, snacks: fruit or goldfish, drinks: Celcius & Dr Pepper, Starbucks: Pink Drink, Dutch: Hawaiian Rebel blended, special talent: baking, no diet restrictions and wears a shirt size small.

I am a third generation swim coach, both of my sons are coaches as well, so we are quite familiar with the swim team environment. I grew up swimming year round when I was 8 years old for Vacaville Aquatics. When I wasn't swimming competitively I spent my spare time lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons. I obtained my first USA swim coaching job when I was 18 in Susanville, California as a 6 and under coach, and moved to the Sacramento area after graduating from Lassen Highschool. I coached a couple of rec teams in between and transitioned to coaching as a USA age group coach at Arden Hills. I became the lead age group coach with the Del Norte Dolphins in 2018, and an assistant coach at El Camino High school in 2021. Both of my sons swam rec, highschool, played water polo and swam at American River College. I graduated May of 2026 from Sac State with my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. My favorite part of coaching is the family environment, and developing relationships with my swimmers. I get excited every time I see a swimmer reach personal goals, and my moto is to not only love what you do, but love who you do it with. I also enjoy getting to coach with my kids. That is a special perk.

Some of Coach Stefanie’s favs…butterfly stroke, loves hand drawn pictures, hand written cards, and anything that comes from the heart, anything with a friend or family member that includes quality time, music, anything in or on the water, and especially the ocean. Store: Nordstrom Rack, Costco and Target, color: dino: Plesiosaurus, animal: dolphin & polar bear, sports teams: 49ers, SF Giants & Sac Kings, movie/show: American Idol, Survivor & America’s Got Talent, places to eat: Mikunis, Buckhorn Grill, Jersey Mikes, In n Out and Chick fil A, ice cream: cookie dough & rainbow sherbet, candy: sour gummies, See’s, white chocolate & caramels, snacks: any Trader Joe’s snacks, drink: iced green tea, fruit flavored Bubbly and Kombucha, Starbucks/Dutch: iced peach green tea, iced horchata shaken espresso, sugar free rebel with sugar free surprise syrup, and a large ice water with extra ice, special talent: singing, no diet restrictions, and wears a shirt size XL.