Coaches - Rocky Mountain Splash

The Coaches

Shari Darst	Head Coach of the Rocky Mountain Splash. Shari brings a wealth of synchro experience to our team. A former synchro swimmer, she began her career in Arizona culminating as a Collegiate All-American for the University of Arizona in 1977 and 1978. She has been coaching ever since and has been with Splash since its formation in 1991. Shari received the '2003 Developmental Coach of the Year' award from USA Synchronized Swimming, recognizing her outstanding performance, 2007 North Zone Coach of the Year and the 2009 Contributor of the Year. A level 6 (FINA B) offers her the opportunity to travel the world judging many different competitions.

Melanie Stanton	Born and raised in Denver, Melanie swam for many years with South Suburban Tarpons, now the current Rocky Mountain Splash Synchronized Swim Team. She coached for Splash for ten years since its formation and then moved to California where she coached the Cerritos Synchronettes for five years. Melanie and her husband, Tom, then moved back to Colorado where she currently resides. She has been swimming masters since 1997 with both Splash and the Southern California Unsyncables. We are very lucky to have such a talented coach on our staff.

Katy Tussey	Katy Tussey has been involved in synchronized swimming for 16 years now. She began at the age of 7 when she joined the Colorado Sea Stars (formerly the Jeffco Y Starfish). While swimming with the Sea Stars, she was lucky enough to be able to participate in the US Open and 2002 National Team Trials. After leaving for college, Katy coached for the Sea Stars until the team dissolved in 2003. Now she is proud to be coaching Splash as well as swimming for the Splash Masters.

Debi Marshall	Debi started synchro in 1971 at summer camp where the routines were written to camp songs and the only sound system at the lake was the other campers singing. She joined the Dallas Sea Spins for three years competing in association, regional, zone and national meets. Throughout the eighties, Debi spread the sport in various summer programs in Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, and here in Colorado. She entered both the National Masters and World Aquatic Masters Championships in 1993 as an independent soloist. After three years in Germany and three years in North Dakota (and 6 years away from swimming) Debi is back in Colorado and very happy to be coaching with Rocky Mountain Splash. Debi coaches the 10 & Under Intermediate Team.

Janet Redwine	Janet (Culp) Redwine started swimming for the Rocky Mountain Splash at age 10 during its inaugural year in 1991. Along with her twin sister Jennie, she competed all over the U.S. and in Finland during her nine years with the team. After graduating from high school, Janet continued her swimming career with the Santa Clara Aquamaids in California, while pursing an undergraduate history degree from nearby Santa Clara University. She helped the Aquamaids win four U.S. National Championships, and she made her first National Team in 2002 as a member of the Senior National Team II. Following her graduation from Santa Clara University in 2004, Janet attended her first world competition as a member of National Team I, and she began her coaching career as a part-time coach with the Aquamaids. She continued to make the top U.S. National Team for the next four years, including the 2008 U.S. Olympic Synchro Team that won fifth place in Beijing, China. Janet retired from swimming after the 2008 Games, and returned to coaching with the Aquamaids that fall. Four years later, Janet and her husband, Erick, moved back to the Denver area where she returned to Splash as a coach. She is thrilled to be back in Denver and back coaching for the club where her synchro career began!

Brittany Peters	Brittany started her synchro carrier with Splash at the age 11. She fell in love with the team and the sport immediately. In the 7 years she swam for Splash she competed in several National meets and a US Open competition. Brittany has also competed at the Masters National meet and took first in the Duet competition. Recently she took a job at the Denver Aquarium where she has put her synchro skills to good use as a Mystic Mermaid. Brittany has been coaching for Splash for the past 4 years as the 13-15 age group coach and feels at home. She is also a newlywed to Brent Whittaker.

Miranda Bow	Miranda started synchronized swimming at age 9 after learning about it through Girl Scouts. She swam for Rocky Mountain Splash for 10 years. While swimming for Splash she helped coach the younger swimmers starting her coaching at age 14, she also coached Virginia Vale summer club for 2 years. After graduating from high school, Miranda went to the University of Arizona to do synchro. She has now returned to her roots and is coaching for Splash again. Miranda is married to David.

Kaytee Davis	Kaytee, a former Splasher, began her synchro career in Parker, Co with the Pinery Penguins. After one summer she began swimming for Rocky Mountain Splash and competed with them all over the United States for seven years. After High School, Kaytee moved to San Antonio and performed in the number one show at SeaWorld, "Viva!" She also helped install their current show Azul. After four years of performing she moved to Las Vegas and also performed in a show in Hong Kong. Kaytee is currently engaged and owns her own company. She is loving being back in Colorado and coaching her home team!!

Kendra Roberts	Kendra began synchro at 9 years old, when her best friend brought her to practice to try it and she immediately fell in love with it. She swam competitively for 10 years and in that time attended 8 National Age Group Championships and 1 U.S. National Championship. Kendra graduated in 2011 and began her coaching career with us this year. She cannot imagine a life without synchro and is very happy to now be on our coaching staff!

Kaylin Darst	Kaylin started synchronized swimming at 5 years old, swam for 10 years, then decided to pursue her love of theatre. Kaylin was part of a very successful duet, trio and team while with Splash – placing first in all local and regional meets & placing in finals at the National Age Group Championships. She is now back coaching and loves working with the new swimmers that join Splash.