Coaches



Introducing our Head Coach: Dave Little 💚

Coach Dave grew up swimming for the Spring Lake Sharks, Lansdowne Gators, Woodford County High School & Lexington Dolphins. Dave has been coaching swimming for over 23 years, starting as a volunteer assistant coach in 1999 with the Cumberland Hill Catfish. He took over as Head Coach in 2001 & retired from being Head Coach of the Catfish after the 2018 summer. While Dave was Head Coach, the Catfish went from the worst team in Conference in the early years to Conference Champions in his last year in 2018 & hadn’t lost a regular season meet since 2013. Dave returned to the Catfish in the summer of 2021 as a part time assistant & since returning, the Catfish have won 2 Straight Conference Titles in 2021/2022 & still have the longest regular season win streak in MOWSC history, 48 straight.

Dave coached at Wildcat Aquatics from 2002-2014, as Head Age Group Coach. He was nominated for KY Swimming Age Group Coach of the Year three times, coached for the KY All-Star Team 3 times, & coached for the 2009 KY Zone Team that competed in Orlando. When Dave left Wildcat Aquatics, every single Wildcat Aquatics Team Record for the age groups he coached, was held by one of his swimmers & over 30+ KY Swimming State Records were held by swimmers Dave coached while at Wildcat.

Dave was the Head Coach of the Lexington Catholic High School Swim Team from 2015-2019 & in his four years coaching Lex Cath, the team went from tied for last place in the state to winning Back to Back State Championships in 2018 & 2019. Dave was voted 2016, 2018 & 2019 KHSAA Boys Coach of the Year & was also selected by the National Federation of High School Sports as KY Boys Coach of the Year for 2016-17. In Dave’s four years, the team set 16 New School Records, 3 KHSAA State Records, & several Top 10 Nationally ranked swimmers by event. In 2019, the Boys 200 Free Relay finished #1, fastest in the Nation, in the NISCA high school swimming rankings.

Coach Dave now runs his Soul II Swim program at the LAC pool from September to May & takes his summers off to help with Catfish & go to lots of concerts (mostly DMB, reggae & hip hop shows).


Introducing Coach :Morgan Bender 💚

My name is Morgan Bender, I am 22 years young, and I have been a Catfish coach for 2 years. I have been swimming competitively for 13 years as well as been in MOWSC for 13 years. I currently continue my swim career at a D1 school, Bellarmine University. I am a Secondary Education and English double major, and have been working with students/swimmers for 8+ years. My experience allows me teach all levels and give lessons to all ages. My goal for this year is to build close connections with our swimmers and help them have the best and most positive experience possible on our team.


Introducing Coach: Connor Bates 💚

Hi! My name is Connor Bates. I am 18 years old and am graduating from Tates Creek High School. I have been swimming for Cumberland Hill since I was 5 years old and this will be my third year coaching. I also was a part of the Lexington Dolphins for 6 years as well as my high school swim team. My favorite Catfish memory was winning conference for the first time in 2018. I am excited to help swimmers get faster and have a lot of fun this summer. I love working with kids of all ages and am always available for private lessons, so please feel free to reach out. Looking forward to the best six weeks of the year! Go Catfish!


Introducing Coach : Maddie Taylor 💚

Maddie loves to bring a Fun Theme to our Meets!!

Hi!  I’m Maddie Taylor,  I’m 18 years old, graduated class of 2023.  I plan to go to University of South Carolina in the fall and study Environmental Sciences and Pre-Law.  I have been on the Cumberland Hill Catfish since 2011.  I started swimming for the Lexington Dolphins in 2014 and swam for Tates Creek High School as well. 

This will be my fourth summer as a swimmer coach,  before having an official title I loved to volunteer with the younger kids since the 2018 season.  I also lifeguard at Cumberland Hill in addition to coaching,  so my entire summer is spent at this pool.  Through the school year, I coach with Dave at his Soul II Swim program ran at LAC. 

I love working with kids,  goofing around at meets,  seeing the progress that swimmers make over the season,  and I can’t wait to do it all again.  I’m excited to see some familiar faces and some new ones and to start the 2024 season out strong.


Introducing Coach : Christina Aouad 💚

Coach Aouad is a great asset to our Coaching Staff!

Hi! My name is Christina Aouad and I am 18 years old. I have been swimming for the Cumberland Hill Catfish for 8 years & this is my 2nd year as a coach. My favorite memory was winning conference for the first time back in 2018. This summer I am excited to meet all the new catfish and to make more memories!


Introducing Swimmer Coach : Jordyn Newman 💚

This young, lady brings so much fun to our team!

hi, my name is Jordyn Newman! I have been swimming for the Cumberland catfish for around 7 years. last season was my first as an official coach and I'm so excited for the opportunity again! I don’t have a specific favorite memory for catfish but every year it’s the one thing I'm always looking forward towards! A goal for this upcoming summer is to make sure all the catfish swimmers are having the best time and give them the help they need to improve! I can’t wait to see everyone!!


Introducing Swimmer Coach : Reese Burden 💚

The Burden Family is a Major part of our Catfish Family!! We are lucky to have each of them!!

Hi my name is Reese Burden and I’ve been swimming for Catfish for 12 years. My favorite memory while being on the team was winning conference for the first time in 2018. I’ve also been swimming for the Lexington Dolphins for 11 years. I’m excited to begin my second year as a Catfish Coach!


Introducing Swimmer Coach : Drake Poole 💚

This family is another Integral Part of our program!

Coach Drake Poole has been swimming for the catfish since he was 5 years old, now he also swims for Tate’s Creek High School. This is his 4th season coaching. He also plays soccer for LSC and Tate’s Creek. Drake has had so much fun swimming and coaching Catfish and can’t wait for many more seasons.