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 entering her 10th season as a coach and her first season as a head coach. She began coaching with the Halifax Trojans before returning to Ontario where she worked as a Registered Kinesiologist while also coaching senior athletes with the Barrie Trojans. While coaching in Ontario Mikayla was heavily involved with Swim Ontario and developing para swimming, this included running regional and provincial training camps.
Mikayla has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Dalhousie which has strengthened her knowledge and understanding in exercise physiology and biomechanics and supports her coaching. While attending school Mikayla worked as an athletic therapist for the Varsity teams including Swimming, Basketball, and Rugby in addition to working with the Halifax Hurricanes Basketball team. Through both coaching and volunteering Mikayla has had the opportunity to work with novice athletes although through to professional athletes.
Mikayla is very excited to be returning to Nova Scotia and the Dartmouth Crusaders. She believes that swimming should be accessible to all and will look to create a fun and inclusive environment. Mikayla hopes to help each swimmer achieve their personal goals by facilitating learning and growth and encouraging excitement in swimming.
Maddie Murray
Junior Lead Coach
Maddie started her coaching career in triathlon in 2017 with the Hamilton Hammerheads triathlon team before swimming for Acadia University from 2019-2022, where she coached the Wolfville Tritons Nova Tech and novice groups. In 2021, Maddie worked as the assistant coach and Sports Program Coordinator for the Triathlon Nova Scotia Provincial Development Team in preparation for the 2022 Canada Summer Games. Most recently, Maddie was one of the coaches of the Glasgow Caledonian University swim team in Scotland during the 2023/2024 season.
Maddie began her swimming career in 2008 with the Calgary Patriots before moving to Ontario where she swam for the Burlington Aquatic Devilrays and the Oakville Aquatic Club. She attended the 2016 Olympic Swimming Trials, competing in the 200 breaststroke and 200 I.M.
Maddie has earned her NCCP Swimming 101 and Triathlon Community Coach certifications and is actively pursuing her 201. She believes that swimming is a foundation for goal setting, work ethic, leadership, and resilience which will continue to set up each individual swimmer for success long after their swimming career comes to an end. Maddie also firmly believes that fun should be at the forefront alongside hard work, and that swimming is about the whole individual swimmer, both physically and mentally, striving to achieve all-around excellence and a love for the sport.
Victoria Chandler
Gold Lead Coach
Victoria is returning to the Crusaders for a second season, this time to lead the Gold swimmers. Previously Victoria coached the Blue group and is looking forward to her new role. She has been coaching since 2014 in BC and NS where she has had the opportunity to work with winter, summer, and masters swimmers. Victoria is Swimming 101 Certified and Swimming 201 Trained. Victoria has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology as well as a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Dalhousie University. Outside of coaching, Victoria presently works full-time as an Occupational Therapist.
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.