Hi Tiger Splash!!!

The 2023 swim season will be getting started this week with our JAV training and swimmer evaluations. Beginning on Monday, May 1st, the new season kicks off and swim practices will officially begin. Please check our website and watch for announcements regarding practice sessions and schedule times.

Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions regarding the schedule as we get this season going. We are so excited to be back in the pool!!! We will have four coaches on deck throughout this summer! We felt like some introductions were in order. Below is a short bio from each of our coaches.

We hope to see your swimmers on deck next week!

~ Tiger Splash Board

James Akers

James Akers is a 16-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 6 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.

Emily Warkentin

Emily Warkentin is a DSHS alumna and former Tiger Splash teammate and coach. After living in San Antonio for the past few years, Emily is excited to return home for the summer and once again be part of the Tiger Splash family.

Emily has taught swim for nearly 10 years and was an assistant coach for Tiger Splash in 2018 and 2019. Her experience swimming recreationally and competitively continually forms her coaching philosophy. Emily strives to create a safe, encouraging and motivating practice environment where each swimmer can grow both individually and as part of a team.

Outside of swimming, Emily is a professional pianist and holds a degree in Music and Psychology. She also enjoys hikes in the hill country and trying new coffee.

Alexa McGilvray

Alexa McGilvray is a sophomore 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 and continue her story with the team which she began when she was six years old. Alexa swam with Tiger Splash for 12 years and volunteered as a JAV for 4 years. 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 always 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 Pool, teaching swim lessons, readying by the pool or playing with her puppy, Dakota. Alexa cannot wait for the season to start and is looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and meeting new ones too!

Gage Hembree

Gage Hembree is a current senior at Dripping Springs High School. He will be graduating with the class of 2023 in May. Gage has been a 4-year member of the DSHS swim team where he has been a 3-time state finalist and 2-time All State athlete. He is now looking forward to competing at the collegiate level next year. Gage started his swimming career with Tiger Splash 10 years ago and was a member of the team for many summers. He went on to participate in the JAV program years later. Recently, Gage 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 assistant coach this summer. Gage fell in love with Tiger Splash almost a decade ago and is incredibly excited to give our swimmers the same opportunities and foster the same environment he had while helping them grow in the swimming abilities at the same time.