Swim Team Coaches

Larry McMahan
Head Coach

Dedication, devotion, inspiration, motivation, and sheer excellence are just a few words that come to mind when you think of Coach Larry McMahan.  From the moment a swimmer joins the team, regardless of his or her ability, Larry welcomes them wholeheartedly and devotes his time to helping each swimmer succeed.  He instills in them the Y core values and challenges the swimmers to put their whole heart and soul in all that they do.  Not only does Larry dedicate hours beyond the duties of the head coach, he also encourages the swimmers to attend non-swimming events to build camaraderie between older and younger participants.  With Larry’s persistence and overwhelming concern for and belief in each swimmer, we not only call ourselves Piranhas, but also a big family.

Elizabeth Durham
Super Squad Coach

My name is Elizabeth Durham, and I am currently a senior at Southern Wesleyan University studying to be an elementary school teacher. I am from Liberty, South Carolina, where I have lived all of my life. I have been blessed working for the YMCA for five years and the Pickens County School District for three months.  I have taught swimming lessons, been a water fitness instructor, lifeguard and swim lesson coordinator.  I have also been the super squad 1 and 2 coach for two seasons.  I currently work with the special needs children with the school district.  I have been swimming as long as I can remember, for the love of the sport.  I was swimming with the team for two seasons, but now that I am 22 I am no longer eligible to swim.  As I get older, I find myself growing more and more in love with the sport.  I am very excited to be able to coach the super squad 1 and 2 teams once again, and help them grow not only in their swimming abilities but as individuals as well.  

 
Kristin Flaherty
Intermediate Coach

  My name is Kristin Flaherty and I am 36 years old and live in the Powdersville/Wren area.  I have a wonderful husband and 2 children, one who has been swimming with the Piranhas for almost a year.  I coach the intermediate level (lanes 3 and 4) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (and any other time I can).  I believe in building strokes from the ground up, working on technique and teaching swimmers what they are capable of in the water.  I swam for the Clemson Aquatic Team from the age of 5 until the age of 14, when I chose to play softball and volleyball for my high school.  I was the top swimmer in the state in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke as well as the 50 freestyle (both still my favorite strokes).  I had great coaching by the staff of Clemson University and hope that I can pass that knowledge on to our swimmers.  I feel blessed to have the opportunity to coach for the Piranhas and look forward to the year ahead.  Go Piranhas!