Coaching Staff
Our coaching staff is dedicated to providing a safe sport environment and encouraging our athletes to discover a life long commitment to being active in sport. All staff are members of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association and commit themselves to its values and code of conduct. Code of Conduct
Mikayla Tyrrell
Head Coach
Mikayla is kicking off her 10th season as a coach and her inaugural year as head coach. She initiated her coaching career with the Halifax Trojans, later returning to Ontario to serve as a Registered Kinesiologist, simultaneously coaching senior athletes with the Barrie Trojans. While in Ontario, she played a pivotal role in advancing para swimming, orchestrating regional and provincial training camps. Mikayla holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Dalhousie, enhancing her grasp on exercise physiology and biomechanics, which significantly supports her coaching endeavors. She has amassed experience working as an athletic therapist for Dalhousie’s Varsity teams and the Halifax Hurricanes Basketball team, dealing with athletes ranging from novices to professionals. Now back in Nova Scotia with the Dartmouth Crusaders, Mikayla is dedicated to making swimming accessible to everyone, striving to foster a fun, inclusive environment. She aims to support each swimmer in achieving their personal goals by promoting learning, growth, and a passion for swimming.
Maddie Murray
Junior Lead Coach
Maddie started her coaching career with the Hamilton Hammerheads triathlon team in 2017 and swam for Acadia University from 2019-2022, where she also coached. She was the assistant coach for the Triathlon Nova Scotia Provincial Development Team, preparing for the 2022 Canada Summer Games, and recently coached at Glasgow Caledonian University. Maddie's early swimming began in 2008 with Calgary Patriots and included competing in the 2016 Olympic Swimming Trials. She holds NCCP Swimming 101 and Triathlon Community Coach certifications and is pursuing further credentials. Maddie champions swimming as a foundation for life skills like goal setting and resilience, emphasizing the importance of fun alongside hard work in developing well-rounded athletes.
Victoria Chandler
Gold Lead Coach
Victoria is excited to return for her second season with the Crusaders, this time leading the Gold squad. Previously, she successfully coached the Blue group and eagerly anticipates this new challenge. Since starting her coaching career in 2014 in both British Columbia and Nova Scotia, Victoria has gained extensive experience with winter, summer, and masters swim programs. She holds a Swimming 101 Certification and is Swimming 201 Trained. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Dalhousie University. When not poolside, Victoria works full-time as an Occupational Therapist, applying her expertise to enhance client well-being across various settings.
Susana Somerton
Blue Lead Coach
My name is Susana and I am a swimming coach and aquatics professional. I am a graduate of the University of New Brunswick, where I completed a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology while competing as a varsity athlete with the UNB REDS Women’s Swimming Team. My passion for competitive swimming began with the Dartmouth Crusaders in 2010, and I grew with the team for an entire decade! After graduation, I leaned into coaching, looking to give back to the sport. My favourite stroke is backstroke and I love kick sets. I am looking forward to being back home with my team, and grabbing a bagel across the street on the way home from practice!
Karley Grimard
Fundamentals Lead Coach + Blue Assistant Coach
Karley is a returning coach and previously was the co-lead for the Fundamentals group. Karley competitively swam for 8 years first in Saskatchewan and then most recently for the Dartmouth Crusaders Swim Club. She then made the move to coaching after completing NCCP Level 1 Certification. Karley is in her third year of coaching for the Crusaders and for various summer swim clubs around the HRM, including Bedford Beavers and Cole Harbour Hurricanes. She has a passion for building foundational skills in younger swimmers and encouraging a positive team atmosphere. Karley is currently in her second year of study at Saint Mary’s University working towards a Bachelor of Commerce. Her favorite stroke is Butterfly!
Christina Riley
Substitute Coach
Christina has been swimming since she was young, she loves being active and enjoys the sport. She swam for the Dartmouth Crusaders Swim Club competitively for 8 years before moving into a coaching role. She is NCCP Level 1 certified and is joining the team for her fourth coaching season. Christina loves to share her passion for swimming with athletes and believes that building a strong foundation at a young age is the key to success. Her pet peeve is to always have fun and encourage one another in and outside the pool. Christina is currently in her second year of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Dalhousie University. Her favourite stroke is backstroke!
Leila Bautista
Substitute Coach
Leila has been in and around the pool from a young age - beginning with the NS summer swimming program where her decade-old records still remain, then joining the Crusaders where she reached the level of podium performance at NS Provincial Championships. She graduated from the Kinesiology program at Dalhousie and is now studying Health Promotion. Leila joined the Crusaders coaching staff in the 2015-16 season after first volunteering for a year. She is certified NCCP Level 1 and is trained for Level 2. With her academic background she has strengthened her understanding of biomechanics and human performance. Leila is the Co-Lead Coach for Gold Squad for 2023-2024 and together with Coach Lauren will create a rewarding and fun training and competition environment.