Josh Williams is returning for his 7th season of coaching for the Holly Glen Hammerheads. Coach Josh has over 15 years of swimming and coaching experience. He began swimming at 9 years old in Atlanta, Georgia. As a high school swimmer, he won a number of awards and two state championships.
From 1999-2003 Josh was a scholarship swimmer at Clemson University where he swam the individual medley (IM), breaststroke, sprint freestyle and on relay teams. At Clemson he was awarded the “Coaches Award” his freshman year and “Most Inspirational” his senior year. Josh was a varsity letterman and an All American Athlete all four years at Clemson.
Josh has trained under several Olympic coaches, including John Bowles and Bruce Marchionda.
During summer breaks from Clemson, Josh coached summer league programs and gave private swim lessons. He was the summer head coach of Fairfield Aquatic Swim Team (GA) from 1999-2003, leading the team to two county championships in 2002 and 2003.
Josh and his wife, Sarah, moved from Charleston, SC to Holly Springs in 2012 and into the neighborhood in 2013. They have two kids, Anna and Jacob. He is very excited to be a part of this neighborhood team and looks forward to coaching again!
Jeremiah is a 13 year resident of Holly Glen, a certified Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival (MCIWS), and a former competitive swimmer throughout his childhood on the New Jersey shore. After leaving the military, Jeremiah began his 20+ year career as a plumber, so it's safe to say that he has an affinity for all things water-related.
Jeremiah and his wife have two daughters who chose athletic pursuits outside of the pool, so he has spent the last four years with the Hammerheads teaching young and upcoming swimmers safety and confidence in the water.
Jeremiah believes in the potential of every kid to learn and excel, and focuses his efforts on educating basic swim techniques and encouraging the kids to always do their best.
Evan Stauffer joined the Holly Glen Hammerheads as a swimmer in 2018 and began coaching the team in 2023. Coach Evan swam competitively for 9 years, starting in Indiana and moving to Holly Springs in 2017 to join Raleigh Swimming Association.
At RSA, Evan won an “MVP” and “Coaches” Award while finaling in events at Senior Champs and Senior Sectionals, placing top 12 in distance events. At Holly Springs High School Evan was a captain of the Swim Team also achieving the Golden Hawk Award.
At Appalachian State, Evan works as a swim instructor at the Watauga Recreation Center. He has also been a Junior Coach through Raleigh Swimming Association for the Tarpon, Seahorse, Seastar, and Minoow groups.
Evan is excited to coach again and can’t wait to watch our swimmers improve!
Emma was an original member of the Holly Glen Hammerheads team, starting back in 2018 and loving every season since then. She began coaching in 2024, and is excited to be coaching again. Coach Emma's swimming background includes 4 years of competitive swimming at the Raleigh Swimming Association (RSA) while also swimming for the Holly Springs High School Swim Team for the past 2 years.
Emma specializes in sprint-distance backstroke, but teaches all 4 strokes to up and coming swimmers. She also completes the 200 and 400 Individual Medley, so she encourages her swimmers to be well rounded and confident in every area. Coach Emma emphasizes good sportsmanship and technique, setting expectations for the swimmers to help them achieve their goals whatever they may be in the pool. She also encourages all swimmers to compete in the TSA Championship meet at the end of every season! Emma is also a fierce competitor and enjoys her time competing as a Hammerhead.
Coach Emma is so excited to be back coaching again this year and is looking forward to a fantastic season!
Taylor Ralph is returning to coach the Holly Glen Hammerheads after a great summer on deck last year. A two-time swim and dive state champion, Taylor brings a strong competitive background and a love for the sport to the team. Though originally a diver, Taylor is trained in swimming and understands what it takes to help athletes grow in skill, confidence, and performance.
Outside of swimming, Taylor is a competitive cheerleader, and enjoys working with Special Olympics. Taylor loves working with younger swimmers and creating a fun, supportive environment. She is excited to be coaching again this summer and can't wait to help the Hammerheads have another awesome season!
Ellie Dykema joined the Holly Glen Hammerheads in 2021 after moving to the neighborhood in 2019. She began coaching in 2024 and is excited to return as the lead coach for the 6-and-under group this summer. Ellie has been swimming for as long as she can remember, including two years on the Holly Springs High School swim team.
While her main sports are Track and Cross Country—where she earned an Outstanding Female Track Athlete Award and served as a team leader—she has always loved being in the water and sharing that passion with younger swimmers.
Coach Ellie especially enjoys learning every swimmer’s name, cheering them on at meets, and planning engaging practices tailored to beginner athletes. She takes pride in helping new swimmers build strong technique from day one and creating a fun, supportive environment where her group can feel confident and proud.
Outside the pool, Ellie loves running, working out, trying new foods, spending time with friends, and, of course, dessert. She is currently preparing for college and is thrilled for another summer with the Hammerheads. Coach Ellie can’t wait to see her tiny but mighty swimmers make a big splash this season!
Lillian Horvat is a rising freshman at Holly Springs High School. She was born in Dayton, Ohio, and moved to Holly Glen when she was six years old. She has been on the team since it began and has been assisting with practice for the last four years. Lillian is excited to join as a junior coach this year because she enjoys working with children and teaching them to be safe in the water. She strives to always be on time for practice and looks forward to getting to know the new Hammerheads.