Coaches

Howard County Aquatics Hurricanes

Coaches

Head Coach: Donita Walters -

Coach Donita has been in and around the sport of swimming for over 35 years. She started her swimming career in Kendalville, IN. She held a few records at Lewis Cass High School. She has been coaching for 9 years. She has coached swimmers from developmental through high school. Donita believes, coaching is a profession of love- you can't coach kids unless you love them. Donita loves kids!

Coach Donita teaches 8th grade at McKinley Alternative for Kokomo Center Schools. Coach Donita is the Varsity Girls Swim Coach for Kokomo Center Schools. She is a certified Lifeguard Instructor Trainer, CPR Instructor, WSI (Water Safety Instructor), as well as an instructor for Safety Training for Swim Coaches and Lifeguard Management. Coach Donita also holds certifications in aquatic therapy from the Arthritis Foundation.

First, Donita is a wife, then a mother, and then she gives and gives to the families that become her extended family through Howard County Aquatics.

Assistant Age Group Coach:   Drew Laughner -

Drew is a graduate from Western High School and is currently a college student at Indiana University, Kokomo. He started swimming at eleven and swam for the Sharks, Western Middle School, and Western High School. Drew found a nack for the Breaststroke and the Individual Medley.

Drew is proud to have been a part of the 2005-06 MIC Championship team.  He was also named Academic All-Conference and Most Dedicated during his Senior High School Season. This is Drew's second year of coaching and loves it.

Coach Andrea Clifford--
Andrea is a 1999 Kokomo High School Graduate. She swam Varsity all 4 years of HS under coach Robin Beck. She started swimming year round for KAT at age 8 and began coaching in 2000. At the time the club was KAT, and as the club changed names, Andrea remained at the heart of the team and now continues to coach for HCA!

Coach Andrea is a ASCA level 1 (working on level 2) coach. She is currently attending IUK for elementary education degree and works full time at a finance company.

Coach Chad Damitz-
My whole life has revolved around Swimming. I have been involved in it for approximately 17 years. It has taught me a great deal of life's lessons; that is, work ethic, teamwork, growth, and good comradery with others who share the same passions and interests that I do. It has been an exciting journey and continues to be as I have recently changed my role from being the swimmer to the coach.
      I recently graduated from the University of Indianapolis with my Bachelor's degree in Psychology. I swam for Wabash College my Freshmen year, and completed my collegiate career for the Indianapolis Greyhounds. I was fortunate, by the grace of God, to compete my Senior year at the national level for Division II Swimming. I swam in the 200 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay, and the 100 Backstroke. We placed 4th in the 200 Free Relay with a time of 1:22.48.
     I currently work as a Substitute teacher for the Kokomo-Center Township Schools in Kokomo, Indiana. In addition, I am taking a couple of courses at IUK as a Graduate special admission to prepare for either Physical Therapy or Seminary. The Lord has been so good to me and I want to give Him the glory for all of the blessings He has given me in my life.

Coach Beth Harrison-