MEET THE COACHES!!
James Akers is a 18-year resident of Dripping Springs where he and his wife Martha have raised 4 kids including two former Tiger Splash swimmers Molly and Maggie. James has coached Tiger Splash for the past 8 years helping to challenge, teach and have fun with the coolest kids in Dripping Springs. By day, he is a traveling salesman earning a living through understanding customers' needs and finding creative solutions. That logic is applied at Tiger Splash by first understanding "Why" each swimmer is on the team and "What" every individual swimmer wants to accomplish. Every swimmer will have a chance to overcome fears, accomplish things not imagined, and make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
Alexa McGilvray is a junior majoring in psychology at Texas A&M University on her journey to becoming an occupational therapist working with cognitively and physically impaired youth. Alexa is beyond excited to coach Tiger Splash for the 2nd year and continue her story with the team which began when she was six years old. Alexa swam with Tiger Splash for 12 years and volunteered as a JAV for 4 years. This is her second year as an assistant coach for the team. Throughout her time on the team, she competed at all levels and achieved her goal of competing at Nationals for a once in a lifetime opportunity. Tiger Splash was her favorite summer activity growing up and has fostered some of her greatest friendships and memories. She is honored to continue with Tiger Splash this summer as an assistant coach. Alexa is eager to share her passion for swimming by creating an upbeat and safe environment for swimmers to grow in their swimming ability and build relationships that will last a lifetime. When she is not coaching, you can find her lifeguarding at Founders, teaching swim lessons, reading by the pool or playing with her puppy, Dakota. Coach Alexa cannot wait for the season to start and looks forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones!
Gage Hembree was a 2023 graduate of Dripping Springs High School and is now attending Whitman College in Washington. Gage was a 4 year member of the high school swim team where he has been a 3 time state finalist and 2 time All State athlete. He is now competing at the collegiate level for Whitman College. Gage started his swimming career at Tiger Splash 10 years ago and was a member of the team for multiple summers and went on to be part of the JAV program years later. In recent years, he has been working as a swim instructor in Dripping Springs and is thrilled to have the opportunity to come back to Tiger Splash as an again this coach this summer. Gage fell in love with swimming at Tiger Splash almost a decade ago and is incredibly excited to be able to continue giving new swimmers the same opportunities and fun filled swimming environment that Tiger Splash is known for while helping them grow in their swimming abilities at the same time.
My name is Nolan Granger, I’m currently a DSHS senior with aspirations to study business and swim in college. I haven’t made a decision on where I want to go yet but I’ve got it narrowed down to only a few choices. Ever since I was a freshman in high school I’ve worked with kids ages 4-11 on improving all aspects of their swimming. I love working with young athletes! I started my swimming journey when I was just 6 years old on a summer league team in Virginia, similar to Tiger Splash. When my family moved to Dripping Springs a few years later I was reluctant to join Tiger Splash because I had decided that “swimming was not for me”. Little did I know, 8 years later I would find myself as a team captain on DSHS’s swim team. I think that speaks volumes about trying new things, that might also be uncomfortable things, which is a lesson I hope every swimmer can take away from this season. Whether it be jumping in the pool for the first time, diving for the first time, or swimming the IM for the first time, it is okay to be uncomfortable. Seeking discomfort is how we grow as swimmers, and as people! Go Tigers!
