Meet the Coaches

Meet the Westwood Coaching Staff!

John Yearwood – Head Swim Coach

John is entering his 4th season as the head coach at Westwood. In his three previous seasons, he has lead the Westwood Dolphins in a record of 11-4. John is also the head coach of the Middies Swim Team, one of the top club programs in Westchester, located in White Plains. John was awarded Westchester County Coach of the Year during the Summer 2017 season. John also earned the 2018-2019 Coach of the Year: Must Watch Age Group Award by Metropolitan Swimming for his most recent season at Middies. In his spare time, John enjoys taking long walks on the beach, reading and writing poetry, and smiling for pictures for his beloved swim team.

Patrick Dwyer – Head Dive Coach, Group Dive Lesson Instructor

This is Patrick’s first summer as Westwood’s head dive coach and we are excited to have him! Patrick just finished his junior year, diving for Pace University’s NCAA NE-10 team, where he won 12 diving events over the regular season and was named diver of the week on four occasions. Patrick has been diving competitively since the 8th grade. He is majoring in computer science and minoring in math and cybersecurity. He loves hiking and mountain biking, and is an all-around hard worker in everything he does!

Jimmy Hennessy – Head Tennis Pro, Group Lessons Instructor

This is Jimmy’s first summer at Westwood, and he is super excited! Jimmy just finished his freshman year at The College of the Holy Cross. Jimmy played both singles and doubles on Holy Cross’s NCAA Division 1 team. Before Holy Cross Jimmy attended Bronxville High School where he played four years of varsity tennis and was the captain his senior year. Last summer Jimmy worked as an assistant coach at the Bronxville Field Club. This summer he looks forward to directing, and expanding the racquets program at Westwood! Jimmy enjoys teaching young kids, teens, and adults of all levels. Jimmy loves playing tennis, and cannot wait to continue to connect with people through the game.

Raquel “Raqui” Ruiz – Assistant Swim Coach, Group Swim Lesson Instructor

Raqui is very excited for her 12th season as a Westwood Dolphin! This will be her third year coaching and her second year teaching group swim lessons at Westwood. Raqui is currently entering her Junior Year at SUNY New Paltz where she’s majoring in Early Childhood & Childhood Education and minoring in History and Latin American & Caribbean Studies. Raqui is certified by the American Red Cross as a Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard as well as in CPR/AED and First Aid Training. She is very excited to work with her swimmers and pass on her love of swimming to them!

Myles Dower – Assistant Swim Coach

Myles is happy to be coaching for his first summer at Westwood! He has been swimming in Westchester on many teams including Middies (with John!), Rye Y Waveryeders, Gaels, and Ardsley Swim & Tennis for the last 10+ years. A graduate of New Rochelle High (where he went to state champs in multiple events), Myles now swims for SUNY New Paltz. An experienced lifeguard and swim instructor, Myles holds certifications in lifeguarding, CPR, and first aid. Myles is an avid camper and Eagle Scout who enjoys skateboarding whenever he can.

Stephanie – Assistant Swim Coach

Bio on the way

Tommy Courtney – Group Swim Lesson Instructor

This will be Tommy’s 5th year working at Westwood. This is his second year teaching group lessons at Westwood with his Water Safety Instructor Certification. Tommy both swam and dove for the Westwood Dolphins before becoming a group instructor. His favorite stroke is freestyle. Tommy currently attends Manhattan College majoring in communication.

Daniella Mulvey – Group Swim Lesson Instructor

This is Daniella’s 6th year working at Westwood. This is her first year teaching group swim lessons with her Water Safety Instructor Certification. She swam at the varsity level for 5 years at Westlake High School and also swam for Westwood. She currently attends Ithaca College and will be going into her sophomore year next semester. She plays softball at the college level and is in the Architectural Studies Program

Group Basketball Lesson Instructor

Liam Gibbons