We are here to support your needs. If your questions are related
to workouts, meets, events, goal setting, and other swimming
related needs, please contact one of the coaches. For all questions
related to administrative, such as dues, safety, or policy issues,
please contact one of the board members.
Coach Leonard Kraus has been coaching competitive swimming for 22
years. Coach Kraus spent the last 9
years as the founding head coach for Marshall University in
Huntington, West Virginia. While at
Marshall, Coach Kraus had multiple NCAA division I qualifiers as
well as conference champions in Conference USA and the Mid-American
Conference. Coach Kraus also led
several of his international athletes to their Olympic Trail meets
in their respective countries. In addition to his collegiate
coaching in Huntington, Coach Kraus also served as an assistant
coach for the Huntington YMCA Charleston Aquatic Team program, as
well as the West Virginia Swimming LSC General Chair, Age Group
Chair and WV Zone Team Coach.
Prior to becoming
the Head Coach at Marshall Coach Kraus spent 3 years at the
University of Toledo and 3 years at Ball State University as the
Head Assistant Coach at both programs.
During this time, Coach Kraus was able to work with numerous
conference champions and NCAA qualifiers.
Coach Kraus spent the early years of his
career coaching at the club level as the Head Coach for the
Cardinal Community Swim Club in Muncie, Indiana. While at Cardinal Coach Kraus led several of his
athletes to the USA Junior and Senior National meets.
Coach Kraus graduated from Ball State with a
Major in Sport Administration with minors in Business and
Aquatics/Coaching. While at Ball State
he swam for Coach Bob Thomas and also played Water Polo.
Coach Kraus is an American Swim Coaches
Association (ASCA) Level 4 coach and continues to expand his
knowledge of the sport of swimming.
Coach Kraus is a USA registered Coach and is certified in CPR, AED,
First Aid and Lifeguarding.
Coach Leonard Kraus and his wife Joy Kraus
have been married for 12 years and have two daughters; Alena (11)
and Makayla (9).
Coach Joey has a Master of Education
from University of Florida and currently teaches 2nd Grade at Wiles
Elementary School. Joey swam competitively for 11 years in South
Florida, 8 years with the Broward Seahawks, 2 years with the Ft.
Lauderdale Swim Team and for 1 year under Cecil Russell. Joey then
began coaching for the Cooper City Comets in Cooper City, FL under
Chris Anderson until his move to Gainesville to attend the
University of Florida. After graduating he spent 3 years as a
snowboard instructor in Colorado and then moved back to Gainesville
to teach. Joey is an ASCA Level 2 Coach and has been with the
MAKOS since July 2008.
Alan has been swimming for 8 years. He swam for Timber Creek
High School and made Regionals all 4 years. He also made State is
Sophomore year in the 100 Breaststroke. Alan will be a Freshman at
UF this fall.
Coach Dianne returned to coaching with the Makos in May
2010. She coached Novice groups with the Makos back in
2006. Coach Dianne was a member of the Makos team back in
1998 when it originally was formed. While swimming for the
Makos she was a JO and Senior Champ qualifier. Coach Dianne
swam for the Buchholz High School swim team and assistant coach and
team manager for the team for two years. Coach Dianne is studying
excercise physiology and is lifeguard, first aid and AED certified.
Coach Joy comes to the Makos after 6 years as the Head Coach at
the Huntington YMCA Charleston Aquatic team in Huntington, West
Virginia. While in Huntington, Coach Joy coached multiple
YMCA National and Zone Qualifiers and was also named West Virginia
Age Group Coach of the Year in 2008.
Along with her experience at HYCAT Coach Joy brings along club
coaching experience from her previous teams, Greater Toldedo
Aquatic Club and Cardinal Community Swim Club.
Coach Joy earned a degree in Elementary Education from Ball
State University. While swimming for BSU Coach Joy
achieved several USA National and NCAA Division I Qualifying times
as well as one Olympic Trial Qualifying time.
Coached Joy is furthing her swimming education with the American
Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) where she is currently level 2
certified, soon to be level 3. Coach Joy is a USA registered
coach and is certified in CPR, AED, First Aid and Lifeguarding.
Julia swam for the MAKOS for 8 years. She is currently attending
Gainesville High School and is on their swim team. She also coached
the Makos Summer League in 2008.
