THE Champion
OCONEE STINGRAYS
COACHES
We are pleased to introduce our head coaching staff. All of these amazing coaches have been coaching for the Stingrays for at least four years, are USA certified, and coach at ABSC and a couple of other teams in the Athens area year round.
KATE CABANISS
HEAD COACH
Kate, a seasoned athlete, immersed herself in the competitive swimming scene of greater Athens with the Oconee Club Stingrays over 15 years ago. Seamlessly transitioning into coaching, she has played a pivotal role in the Stingrays' success, now leading as head coach. Alongside her duties at the Stingrays, Kate nurtures young talents as an assistant developmental coach at Athens Bulldog Swim Club.
Her thirst for adventure led her to Central and South America in 2022-23, where she honed her Spanish skills. Kate is also certified by USA Swimming, holds a Level II ASCA certification, and is Swim America certified. Armed with a degree in Exercise & Sport Science from the University of Georgia, she's primed to elevate her athletes to new speeds.
Outside of the pool, Kate's interests are as diverse as her skill set. She works as a teacher with Older School and as a private tutor, and enjoys exploring different cuisines, traveling, expressing her creativity through art and pottery, and pushing her limits in triathlons.
ELLIE CABANISS
ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH
Hi! I'm Ellie, I'll be the associate head coach this year and am so excited!
I swam for the Oconee Club Stingrays for 15 years and loved every year. I was an assistant and pups coach for a few years as well.
I took a couple years off for traveling but am so ready to be back. I also have participated in school/club soccer for 15 years and basketball and track for a few years as well.
I love athletics and helping young athletes reach their goals inside and outside the pool.
Can't wait to meet everyone!
ASSISTANT, JUNIOR ASSISTANT, AND PUPS COACHES
ABIGAIL CABANISS
Assistant Coach and Pups Coach
MICHAEL HALL
Assistant Coach and Pups Coach
EMMALEIGH HEMINGWAY
Assistant Coach and Pups Coach
HANNAH HEMINGWAY
Assistant Coach and Pups Coach
CARL LAWSON
Assistant Coach
CAROLINE PRINCE
Assistant Coach and Pups Coach
WILLIAM HALL
Assistant Coach
EVERYONE WAS ONCE A BEGINNER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are pleased to introduce our Board of Directors. These are swim parents and volunteers who work dozens and dozens of hours to get our team up and running and make sure the season runs smoothly.
JENNIFER CABANISS
PRESIDENT
Jennifer Cabaniss has been a part of The Stingray Family for 17 years! She loves being part of such an incredible team with the best coaches and leadership team in the league. She and her husband, Jon, are the proud parents of five beautiful girls: Kate (24), Anna (24), Ellie (20), Abigail (18), and Sarah (15). When Jennifer is not cheering her girls on the pool deck, soccer field, basketball court, or track, she loves curling up with a book, creating digital scrapbooks, or just playing games with her highly competitive family—haha! She is looking forward to another season of swim and cheering on The Stingrays!!
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DANIELLE WEST
VICE PRESIDENT
Danielle is the Vice President for the team’s board. She has two sweet girls, Makayla, (13) and Darcy, (10), that swim on the team. Her wonderful husband, Chase, is often seen running Hy-tek or helping around the pool. They have been part of the Stingrays for 8 years. When not at the pool you can find her playing in a kitchen or on an adventure with her family. They love being part of such an amazing team.
MIKE RADFORD
COACHING STAFF ADMINISTRATOR
Coach Mike served as the Head Coach of the Stingrays from 2016-2023. With help from a dedicated parent board and long-term assistant coaching staff, the Stingrays grew into an Oconee County powerhouse. In 2016 the Stingrays had around 70 swimmers. By 2022 the Stingrays had more than doubled in size, and won their first Oconee Swim League championship in 20 years! In 2023, the Stingrays repeated as league champions. Before coaching with Stingrays, Coach Mike began coaching with his summer league team in Marietta, where he worked as Head Coach for five years. After permanently relocating to Athens post-UGA graduation, Mike was the Associate Head Coach of the Bishop Park Dolphins for two summers in 2014 and 2015. Mike has been coaching with the Athens Bulldog Swim Club for twelve years where he is the Head Age Group Coach, and has been full time at ABSC since the fall of 2017. He also is the Head Coach of Westminster Christian Academy's swim team, where he has served for 3 years. Mike is a graduate of the University of Georgia, with a BSEd in Social Studies Education. He lives in Athens with his wife, Devon, and his two kids, Wells and Mason.
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JULIE LAWSON
SECRETARY
The Lawson family have been Stingrays since 2013 and they love being a part of this team! Julie took over as Bullpen Coordinator in 2017 and loves being in the midst of the energy and excitement of the kids. Now as team secretary, Julie sends out emails and maintains the web site. She and her husband, Neal, are the proud parents of four past and present swimmers- Sinclair (23), Jana (22), Margo (18), and Carl (16).
JANNA NIMMO
TREASURER
Janna helps run our swim meet HyTek system, and is excited to be on the Stingrays board. She is in the very important role of treasurer for our team.
Janna's family has been with the Stingrays since 2016, her two swimmers, Karoline (14) and Luke (11), love being a part of summer swim.
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TODD MUELER
POOL LIAISON
Todd and his wife, Alison, have three children on the team, Gracelyn, Elton, and Jane. Todd serves as a liaison between the Stingrays and pool ownership. He also works to ensure that sound and parking go smoothly at home meets. He is an Associate Professor of Music at Georgia Gwinnett College and a professional musician (percussion) playing with the Asheville Symphony and in Athens with Bichos Vivos.
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ALISON HALL
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Alison Hall has three Stingray swimmers, Michael III, William, and Kate and is happily married to her husband, Michael II. They are entering their 9th Summer as Stingrays. She will be assisting Danielle with volunteer organization this year.
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DAYNA FAIRMAN
CONCESSIONS COORDINATOR
Dayna Fairman is happily married to her husband, Ryan, and is the mother of Rowen (15) and Jane (12). This is their third year with the Stingrays. Her main responsibility on the board is handling concessions. She can't wait for another great season with the Stingrays.