Meet The Coaches
Coach Patti Larson brings a lifelong love of swimming and a passion for working with kids to the Hedingham Sharks. Originally from Anaheim, California, Patti spent 11 years as a competitive swimmer, qualifying for Junior Olympics and Grand Prix meets. In her senior year of high school, she was selected to represent the North American Athletic Conference, competing against top swimmers from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. West Coast.
Patti went on to swim at the Division I level for the University of North Dakota from 2012 to 2016. During her collegiate career, she earned numerous accolades, including Rookie of the Year, the Coaches’ Award, Varsity Letter honors, and Academic All-Conference recognition for three consecutive years.
Before beginning her coaching career, Patti worked for six years as a water safety and swim instructor aide, gaining valuable experience teaching and mentoring young swimmers. After graduating, she also served as a manager for her collegiate swim team, supporting day-to-day operations and team coordination.
Patti joined the Hedingham Sharks as an Assistant Coach in 2022 and was promoted to Head Coach in 2023. In 2024, she led the team to a division championship title and continues to inspire swimmers with her energy, expertise, and enthusiasm.
Outside the pool, Patti holds an MBA in International Business (2019) and relocated to the Raleigh area in 2020. She and her husband Luke are proud residents of the Hedingham neighborhood. When she’s not coaching, Patti enjoys discovering new local restaurants and baking homemade desserts from scratch.Email: [email protected]
Caroline Phillips is a Raleigh native and a current student at Appalachian State University, where she’s majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in American Sign Language. Her swimming journey began at the age of 6 with the Black Horse Run Swim Club, where she competed every summer through age 17.
At 13, Caroline became a Junior Coach for BHR, a role she held for five seasons. It was during that time that she discovered her love for coaching and working with kids. Now in college, she continues to fuel her passion for swimming as a member of App State’s club swim team, where she trains regularly and competes at meets throughout the year.
While her strongest stroke has always been backstroke, her personal favorites are freestyle and breaststroke. Swimming has been a constant in Caroline’s life, and one of her most cherished experiences each year. She’s thrilled to return to the pool this summer—this time as an Assistant Coach—and looks forward to helping young swimmers grow, have fun, and make great memories.
Originally from Eden, NC, and raised in Indiana, Katie Martin discovered her passion for the water at age 15—and she hasn’t looked back since. What began as a personal love for swimming quickly grew into a lifelong mission to help others build confidence, safety, and joy in the water. Katie believes swimming is not just a vital life skill, but also a powerful tool for personal growth and fun.
Over the years, she has worked with swimmers of all ages and abilities—from infants to an 87-year-old learning to swim for the first time. As her students progressed, Katie developed expertise in stroke technique, diving, and flip turns, helping many transition into competitive swimmers.
After moving back to North Carolina seven years ago, Katie has contributed to a variety of swim programs across the state. She has a strong background in working with children and adults with disabilities, including individuals on the autism spectrum. Her dream is to create an inclusive aquatic program that offers a safe, supportive space for neurodiverse swimmers to learn water safety, build confidence, and thrive.
Outside the pool, Katie is an active member of the North Carolina music scene—writing and performing her own music and supporting fellow local artists. She's often joined by her daughter, Iris, a young drummer and fellow music lover.
Katie is excited to continue growing as a coach and is deeply proud to be part of her swimmers’ journeys, both in and out of the water.
aidon Lee was born in Queens, New York, and moved to North Carolina in 2020. He’s been in the water since he was 2 years old and began swimming competitively at age 8, all while also training in Tae-Kwon-Do. Over the years, he has competed with several teams, including the CIY Barracudas, TYDE, and TAC Titans.
With more than a year and a half of coaching experience, Jaidon brings energy, dedication, and a passion for helping young swimmers grow both in and out of the pool. His favorite events are the 50-yard Freestyle and the 100-yard Backstroke.
Outside of coaching, Jaidon is a dual enrollment student at Willow Springs High School and Wake Tech Community College, working toward an AAS in Paralegal Technology with plans to transfer to William Peace University to pursue Pre-Law. In his free time, he enjoys playing electric guitar, drawing, and—of course—swimming. His favorite foods are cheesy eggs and sushi.
