FAST Coaching Staff
Cathy Hudson, Head Coach
In her 15th year as a FAST Coach, Cathy is super excited to have so many returning and new Coaches to FAST this summer. Cathy was voted the 2014 and 2015 GCAAL Coach of the Year. She attributes this award to the amazing young coaches that she has mentored each summer. Cathy has been an influential presence first as a FAST parent, then a board member (including holding the position of 2009 FAST President), and coach, as well as past-President and active, founding member of the Gulf Coast Area Aquatics League (GCAAL). In addition, Cathy is certified as a USA Swimming Official, and a USA Swimming Certified Coach. Cathy holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education K-12 from Virginia Tech, which is where she and husband, Rick, both pursued collegiate swimming careers. As a sprint freestyle specialist, Cathy brings much expertise in coaching/training swimmers for the short 50-yd racing style format that comprises our summer league competition. During the school year, Cathy teaches physical education at the Fairhope Elementary School, while also coaching the Fairhope High School Swim and Dive Team. The Boys team won the Baldwin County Championship for 10 straight years 2004-2013. The Girls team has won 6 times in the 14 years. She was awarded the distinguished title of All-County Coach of the Year for the 2005, 2006, 2008-13, 2015-17 seasons. Cathy’s two children, Ross and Olivia, began their love of swimming at FAST the summer of 2001. They both improved and went on to swim year round with the SWAT Team. Ross graduated from Florida Tech while swimming for the Panthers and studying Chemical Engineering. He is now in Norfolk, VA working for NAVSEA as a Nuclear Engineer. Olivia is attending Colorado Mesa University, having completed her 4 years swimming while taking classes toward a Biology degree with hopes to go into the dental field. You can usually find her husband lap swimming early in the early morning here at the Fairhope pool.
Jordan Marlowe
We are happy to welcome Jordan Marlowe as a Junior Coach this season. Jordan will be a freshman at St. Michael Catholic High School this fall. Jordan has been a member of the Cardinal Swim Team for 2 seasons. Jordan is the Patrol Leader of Scout Troop 5087, and has been the Captain of the Gulf Coast Rangers Soccer Club for 3 seasons. Jordan is a very hard worker and is looking forward to helping our FAST Sharks improve this summer.
Coach Jordan is also busy playing basketball and soccer as well as pursuing his Knitting Career, Jordan and his Knitting Kneedles have become a You Tube sensation as Coach Jordan not only shares his Knitting Knowledge but sells the garments he knits for a very hefty price. Coach Jordan is a legend in the knitting world for his masterful technique of the various stitches like ribbing, welting and plaited stitching. Coach Jordan set the knitting world on fire, last year, when he introduced the famed "J" Stitch. His informational book, "Coach "J" & the "J" stitch" is a number one best seller on Amazon Prime Books in a crafty category. With all his riches Coach Jordan hopes to buy a hut on a remote island and fish in the day and knit sweaters for the Green Sea turtles at night.
Ryan Johnson
We are happy to welcome Ryan as a Coach this summer.
James Marlowe
We are happy to welcome James Marlowe as a Coach this season. James is a rising junior at St. Michael Catholic High School, where he has been a member of their swim team for 2 seasons. He is also a member of the Cardinal Chorus and Band. James has held the Senior Patrol Leader and Asst SPL position with his Boy Scout troop. James has been a FAST Shark for 10 years and would like share his knowledge with the FAST Sharks this summer.
Coach James is a bona fide food taster for the food Network Shows "Big Bargain Eats, Worst Cooks in America" & "BBQ Big Rig Blitz". Coach James has shown the Food network a vast & wide taste palette and that has put him in the running for Master Taster on the show "Get Comfortable with Sushi". Coach James is also an accomplished singer, writer and musician, Coach James plays the Violin, Euphonium and Trumpet, however Coach James has being pursuing a new passion the Cigar Box Banjo. Coach James has dreams of building his own Cigar Box Banjo but he does not advocate smoking cigars to get the box. Coach James is looking to fulfill his need to make, write and sing BlueGrass/Gospel/backwoods Country sound with a Cigar Box Banjo while tubing on the river with a Mason jar glass of Sweet tea with lemon.
Sara Kate-Sligh
Coach Sara Kate is constantly busy between work, school and home. In between when Coach Sarah Kate has some downtime she is workin' with her horses in ADVANCED TRICKONOMETRY. Coach Sara is constantly training her horses to do special tricks like Yawning, Stick Out Your Tongue, Play Basketball, Limp on Command, High-Five, Sit Down Like a Dog as well as the more elegant Spanish Walk and Curtsy Bow on a Pedestal. Coach Sara Kate hopes to take her favorite horse "Moonshine" and compete in Barrel Racing. Coach Sara Kate has been working with "Moonshine" to attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time possible.
When Coach Sara Kate is not with 'Moonshine"(not drinking, her horse) Coach Sara Kate is busy working at Sara's Snoballs, some of the finest snow cones in Fairhope, Coach Sara serves all the regular flavors but if you are a local you know to ask for the "Unicorne Surprize" and if you are really in the know, ask for Moonshine Madness although she will probably make you show your ID to get one.
Rip Repoll
Coach Rip the Mystery coach, we know he is there we have seen him there. he is as elusive as Flash, if you get a chance take a picture, so we can put a face with the name. Coach Rip loves to Coach and Swim but when he is not doing both he is laser focused on his passion, Paintball Poetry. Coach Rip uses his laser sighted paintball gun so he can put paintballs in motion and splatter the alphabet into words and words into poetry that will generate FEELINGS in his reader's. Coach Rip has started a thriving message business "Show your love with a Paintball Poem". Coach Rip will come to your house and put the loving message on the garage door, the Front door, the side wall or your lawn. Coach Rips says" there is nothing like the feeling of love said with paintball and paint splatter and you can even pick your LOVE paintball colors".
When Coach Rip is not sowing words of love he is working and crafting his next dream job, a Disney World Character, Coach Rip practices by going around town in his Penguin Costume. Coach Rip knows he is not anonymous in Fairhope but when he gets to Disney he will be the Best Ultimate Character at Disney ever.
Hartsel Hope
Coach Hope, is the newest member of the team. Coach Hope excels in everything and fails at nothing. Coach Hope doesn't just believe in her quest but she lives it everyday. One of Coach Hope's dreams is to get on the reality TV show "Guardians of the Glades". Coach Hope says "it has been a lifelong dream to work in the Everglades and hunt Pythons with my bare hands". Coach Hope wants to help save the Everglades from the invasive snake, the Python. Coach Hope would like to utilize the Python Skins and make eco-friendly bathing suits that someone will hopefully sell in one of the Boutique shops in Scenic Downtown Fairhope
For Now Coach Hope is content with being the newest member of the coaching staff however Coach Hope has let us all know she may be the last one to start this coaching year but she is committed to climbing the Coaching ladder and shattering & breaking the Glass Ceiling. Coach Hope knows that when she can move Coach Jackson out of the way she will have reached the Pinnacle of Coaching FAST. Coach Hope & Dreams are special in every way.