Seahawk Spotlight: Dean McCain
Name: Dean McCain
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2010
Events: 50/100 free & 200/400 free relay
Degree: International Business
Profession: Freight Forwarding and Supply Chain Management
Current residence: Charlotte, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
I loved having breakfast at Wag with the team after morning practices. We would take up a huge table and enjoy being together after a tough (and cold) practice. It was a great chance to take a breath and relax before the rest of the school got moving.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
The most valuable takeaway from my time on the team has been the importance of perseverance. Being a Seahawk swimmer taught me that no matter how tough the challenge is (and there were a LOT of tough challenges), what matters most is giving everything you have to get the job done. At the end of the day, if you can look back and be proud of your efforts, you have succeeded.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I spend my free time backpacking around the NC mountains, on the water (kayaking, boating, paddle boarding), and exploring Charlotte with other swimmer alums.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Two Guys Grille & PT’s, Yosake sushi downtown, and Port City Java on Front street where I met my spouse.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
It’s ALWAYS a great day to be a Seahawk.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Attitude and perspective are everything in life. There will be ups and downs for everyone. It’s how you choose to carry forward that makes the difference.
Seahawk Spotlight: Bobby Guntoro
Name: Bobby Guntoro
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2011
Events: 100 Fly, 100 Back, 200 IM
Degree: Business, accounting
Profession: Swim Coach
Current residence: Wilmington
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program? Going to conference championships and win team titles.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life? I get to stay in the USA 
haha! I learned many life lessons from my experience at UNCW. Life is all about managing the ups and downs. Coach always said that we have to manage our bad days to be successful at the end of the season. Whenever I have my bad days, I go back to my swimming days and focus on managing it as best as I could.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck? I was working in the accounting field as soon as I graduated. Decided to change my professional career to become a full time coach in 2012 and joined NC State coaching staff. I stayed at NC State until July 2020 and now back at UNCW as the head coach. It’s a dream comes true!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW? INDOCHINE! If you’ve never been, you’re missing out!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer? Breakdown.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni? Be present and enjoy your time. This truly the best 4 years of your life.
Seahawk Spotlight: Beau Bunn
Name: Beau Bunn
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 1999
Events: Diving
Degree: undergrad: physical education 99’
Masters: higher educational leadership 2018
Profession: UNCW Dive Coach
Current residence: Wilmington NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program? The teammates that became lifelong friends and being part of a family that I am proud to still be a part of today.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life? Coach Allen and Coach Ellington worked to show fairness among all the team and supported everyone the best they could. I worked full time while in school and they supported that and worked with me to help me be successful. I try to support the team in the way they need, not the way I think they need.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck? After school I continued to work retail for nearly 12 years. Then got into construction (roofing and tile) then got back into coaching; high school at first, then full time club while volunteer assisting at Duke then and now the head coach here at UNCW.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
PTs for food And the woods behind the suites riding my mountain bike when I wasn’t working.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Divers of that time would remember either
A1 or you’re the duck.
Coach Ellington would sometimes say the weirdest things that made sense and stuck. He was great.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Current swimmers and divers: relish the time. It’s a special time and an honor to represent UNCW. You are a select few. Support each other in and out of the pool.
Recent alumni. Stay involved. Come back and visit. Share your stories and stay in touch.
Seahawk Spotlight: Tucker Waldron
Name: Tucker Waldron
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2011
Events: 100 fly, 100 free
Degree: Environmental Science
Profession: High School Biology Teacher
Current residence: Asheville NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
This may seem a bit sadistic but my favorite memories are from Christmas training. I always loved the opportunity to have a singular focus and effort on swimming and nothing else. Coming out on the other side of Christmas training always made you a stronger swimmer and all-around person. It also brought you so much closer together with everyone as a team having that shared struggle.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Too many to name! The best man at my wedding was my room-mate all 4 years UNCW. I carry the ethic of hard work that was instilled in my time there by Coach Allen, Todd Desorbo and Dan Forester into everything I do to this day.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I moved from Wilmington to NJ to Asheville, where I’ve been for 8 years now. I coached the Y team here and taught yoga for several years. I’m now teaching high school science at Asheville High School.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Park Ave, when half the swim team lived on the same street will always hold a special place in my heart.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
It’s not a cheer but I love the “Sweet Caroline” tradition from Coach Allen’s days.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
If you follow what you love to do, the road might not be straight or narrow but it will be
Seahawk Spotlight: Laura Edwards (Chinni)
Name: Laura Edwards (Chinni)
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2010
Events: 200 back, 400 IM, 200 IM
Degree: Communications Studies
Profession: Strength and Conditioning Coach/Personal Trainer
Current residence: Charlotte NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
The bus rides home after the last day of Christmas training. Knowing that we had just trained so hard and we were all finally done with Christmas training and so ready for conference! Either that, or the days where we’d go down to Wrightsville beach for ocean swims and immediately after head to Saltworks for pancakes together.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
My experience as a part of this incredible team has absolutely made me the person I am today. My experiences with the team taught me the true meaning of dedication, hard work, persistence and the value of being a part of a team all working towards a greater good.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I decided (unknowingly) after graduation that I’d try every single career I possibly could and that’s just what I did. I have been a morning show radio host, a real estate sales manager, a manager of several gyms, I helped to build a strength and conditioning program for a swim team and have landed finally as a personal trainer and coach. I recently learned how to snowboard which has made me dislike winter a lot less than I used to and about three months ago I got married. Life has been wild but very good!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Oh man…a tough question. Why did my mind immediately go to Bojangles?? Obviously Wrightsville Beach, Vitos Pizza, Sweet and Savory, Palm Room…it’s hard to just choose one place!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
La Di Da…ALWAYS is the best cheer.
“UNCW Swimming and Diving, the best four years of your life” no truer words 
️
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
For current swimmers and divers…the more you buy into the program and the coaching, the more successful you will be. Enjoy every moment and remember to soak it all in when you can. It goes so fast.
For recent alumni, know that you’re forever part of this family and we’re all here to help each other. Network with fellow alumni and don’t lose touch with your class. We are a rare and special group that we should all always be a part of.
Seahawk Spotlight: Gabe & Hilary Thran
Q&A:
Names: Hilary (Fritz) Thran and Gabe Thran
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2012 (Hilary) and 2014 (Gabe)
Events:
Hilary: 100/200 Back and 200 IM
Gabe: 50/100/200 Free
Degrees:
Hilary: Double Major in Management Information Systems and Finance
Gabe: Double Major in Entrepreneurship/Business Development and Finance
Professions:
Both of us are Technology Consultants
Hilary at IBM and Gabe at Deloitte Consulting
Current residence:
Wilmington, NC off Whiskey Creek!
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Hilary: Coach Allen’s pump-up speech on the first night of CAAs about all of us being his little Christmas presents under the tree ready to be unwrapped to see how fast we would go! And Mrs. Mann’s giant chocolate chip cookies for the bus!
Gabe: Winning the Men’s Championship in 2014 in the relay!
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
We have made lifelong friends and met each other!
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
After graduation, we lived in Alexandria, VA for about 5 years and then happily moved back to Wilmington at the end of 2019! We still enjoy everything about Wilmington, going to the beach, and Gabe loves to surf.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Hillsdale/Nash, Mayfaire, Cookout, Islands, Blue Surf, Tower7, MAW bar, WB, and the Beach Bars!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Hilary: FTB… shout out to Coach Todd!
Gabe: A bad day at the beach is better than a good day anywhere else!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
D1 College Swimming and Diving has made us TOUGH and Resilient. You can take on, endure pretty much anything, work hard, and be successful. Use that to your advantage!
Also, don’t hesitate to use your alumni UNCW Swimming Family and network!
Seahawk Spotlight: Dan Gallagher
Name: Dan Gallagher
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2002
Events: 50 FR, 100 FR, 100 FLY
Degree: Business Mgmt ‘02, MBA ‘14
Profession: Sales, Clinical Research
Current residence:Wilmington, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
There are so many favorite memories: Saturday morning ocean swims, locker room banter, my first college meet in the fall of 1999 at Amercian with JMU and the first Men’s conference win in 2002.
But the memory that probably stands out the most is the time I walked in to the Seahawk Natatorium for the first time during the summer of 1999. I was a transferring sophomore from UNC-Asheville and I drove to Wilmington to meet with Coach Allen to talk about having an opportunity to walk on to the team. I remember walking in to the deck level door and was greeted by the huge welcoming smiles of Coach Allen and Todd Desorbo (grad assistant at the time). I dont recall what exactly we talked about, but I do remember the feeling I got speaking with Coach and Todd, learning about the program and the excitement and anticipation of having a chance to be on the team.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being a part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program has had a huge impact on shaping me in to the person I am today in ways that I continually notice. In particular, the ability to set goals and lay out a pathway to work towards something important is a skill and mindset that swimming helped me to develop.
Just like the ups and downs of a regular swim season, in life, there are days or periods when things are breaking, you don’t feel great and you question what the heck you are doing. Being able to not only handle those times, but to plan for the fact that they are coming sooner or later, has given me an ability to stay optimistic, keep the faith and work towards a solution to different challenges that life will toss out.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Spring of 2022 will mark 20 years since graduating UNCW – 20 years!!!! That alone makes me feel old. Those 20 years have been full of exciting life milestones- moving away from and back to Wilmington, getting married, starting a family and building a career.
I am extremely fortunate to have a wonderful, loving family to spend life with in Wilmington and we enjoy the beach, boating, playing in the pool and our 5 pets (3 cats, a dog and a bunny) together.
I’d like to return to Master’s swimming at UNCW once COVID life gets back to normal but in the meantime, to stay (somewhat) fit, I try to swim, paddle and play in the water as much as possible.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
All of Wilmington! The beach, downtown, Sandbar, campus and the short bike ride from Cardinal House to the Scotchman on Eastwood Rd.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Sea-Sea-Sea- Seaaahaaawwwkkkss!!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy every moment of your college experience and take care of your mind and body.
Being a part of the Swim and Dive team is an amazing way to be a part of a very special family that gives you a solid foundation, the opportunity to build friendships and develop good habits while making the transition to adulthood. The team, the program legacy and the lessons learned will give you strength to overcome any challenge while at school and later in life.
Work hard, play hard and give your all to each other and the team and you will have wonderful memories and a special bond to last a lifetime.
Seahawk Spotlight: George Vlahos
Name: George Vlahos
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2019
Events: 200 Fly/Breast/IM, 400 IM, 500/1650 Free
Degree: Major in Exercise Science, Minor in Biology
Profession: Swim Coach
Current residence: Winston-Salem, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
I was originally being recruited by College of Charleston and had my mind set on going there, until unfortunately during my senior year of high school, the swim and dive team got cut. I reached out to UNCW only to find out that the roster had been full. My plan was to swim through the summer of my senior year of high school and then go to UNCW for school and potentially just do the club team. I then got an email in mid-June asking me if I wanted to tryout for a spot on the team, to which I accepted and made the team there. I had no expectations on the season since I (along with fellow classmates at the time Brad Allison, Joey Kriegler and Mason Trivette) literally got one of the last spots available. At the CAA Championships that year, I went under the freshman record in the 400 IM (until one of my other classmates beat me) and was 3 seconds off the 1650 freshman record and got my first top 8 finish. I just remember all of the upperclassmen coming up to me afterwards and being super excited for what I had done and all I could think at that moment was “this is exactly where I belong.”
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
It taught me to bet on myself, take risks and manage my time. I was never supposed to make the team, until I did. Alway bet on yourself and take chances because you don’t want to have any regrets.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
I moved back to Winston-Salem and am currently coaching my old club team of TYDE.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Has got to be Beach Bagels and Michaelangelos!
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Flip the switch!!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Again, don’t be afraid to take a risk on yourself. It’s better to have tried and failed, than to have not tried at all.
Seahawk Spotlight: Amy Nelson
Name: Amy Nelson
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of ____ ‘96
Events: 200 Fly and a little bit of this and that.
Degree: BA Spanish
Profession: Business Aviation and Travel
Current residence: Norwalk CT
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
The best thing about being ona team was knowing you were never alone…from Freshman year living in Galloway with Wendy, Fathom, Christina, Aimee. to biking around campus and always seeing someone crossing paths…eating at Wagoner Hall… there was always a teammate around and you never had to do it alone. Saturday evening exhausted from the pier to pier swim…. and going to the house. Freshman study hall in the library. But it was being able to spend so much time together that when we walked on to the pool deck.. the noise and banging on the boards it made your heart skip a beat and beam with pride. And being the home of the Seahawks was something special. It was a family affair. It was and is always a Great Day to be a Seahawk.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
I swam Freshman and Sophomore year and wanted to go abroad my Junior year… so I didn’t swim that year and wow how I missed it. but when I came back my senior year I realized how important swimming was to me… Coach Allen supported me throughout it all and how the team accepted me as well upon my return . And even taking a year off and it took the entire season but I peaked at EC AC’s my last swim of my college career. It was one of those times that you learn don’t give up and Teammates are for life. So I have learned don’t give up even when it’s hard .. the pay off is worth it and know that you can always always count on a Seahawk teammate/alumni in life.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Yikes.. when you graduated as long ago as I have… the list is long but in a nutshell I have traveled the world as a Flight Attendant first for Delta Airlines and then I went into corporate Aviation as a flight attendant and a flight attendant supervisor. Since UNCW, I have lived in Los Angels, New York City, San Francisco, 3 cities in CT and then Anchorage back to CT. For a period of time I was doing triathlons, and ran a number of marathons which I loved. My husband, Frank, and I have 3 children, Francesca (8), Lucas (6) and Catrina (4), we both lived quite a bit before having kids.I’m still involved in Corporate Aviation, but recently have dived into the world of being a Travel Advisor. Since I’m not traveling as much as I used to, I love helping people plan their travel adventures anywhere in the world.
Two years ago I was diagnosed with a brain tumor (meningioma) and thankfully with many prayers and the skills of great surgeons it was removed. It was a short chapter, but it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It’s in these times knowing you have teammates that will always cheer and pray for you. You are never alone in good and bad and ugly times… you have a team backing you up… no matter how old you are you’ve got a team.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Riding my beach cruiser around campus. It was the best thing… being able to ride and tow someone on the handlebars from the Library to Wagoner Hall. Full speed ahead…Before they put in fancy lakes and and bridges and other things. PT’s.. The Oceanic when parents came into town for special occasions.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Home of the SEAHAWKS!!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Represent – Get the most out of your college career… become a part of the UNCW community. I LOVED being a part of the team, but I loved being involved as an Orientation Leader for a few years and was a UNCW Ambassador (gave tours back in the day). Not sure how I had time but I also worked in the Office of Student Affairs. . Being able to represent the team by being involved in the university community speaks volume to everyone. . You never know how those connections will help in your career in the future. Stay connected with this amazing Seahawk team/family. You are never alone… and always reach out for the good, the bad and ugly times in life.
Seahawk Spotlight: Andrew Coen
Name: Andrew Coen
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2004
Events: 200 Breast, 200/400 IM
Degree: Business Administration
Profession: Business Owner and Territory Manager
Current residence: Charlotte, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
All of the amazing relationships I developed. Not only with some of my best friends I talk to and see regularly, its also the deep feeling of connection for everyone in the program. I would go to bat for every one of you. (I have a specific memory for the video)
There is one specific memory and it has a date… February 22, 2002. It was the year we put a crown on everything that Coach and all the alumni who came before us had built. After getting second at my freshman year conference championships we knew we had something special. We completely came together that next season with a singular goal, it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever been a part of in my life and i’ll never forget it. (close second is saving the program). As the season progressed we were so confident, probably borderline arrogant, that we were going to win CAA’s. JMU had won the previous 7 of 9 championships and we knew we were going to take them down, so much so that we had shirts made up for the first night of finals that called our shot. On the front it said “February 22, 2002…” and on the back said “That was the night everything changed.” The rest is history.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
It has given me the relationships I mentioned above, but also taught me about myself and what I can accomplish through highs and lows.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
My wife Lily and I have 3 amazing children named Lyla (11), Emilia (6), and Theo (1.5). We own a women’s boutique clothing store here in Charlotte named K-LA that we are very proud of… If we’re being honest I’m basically a glorified handyman and heavy lifter, my wife is the real reason the business is successful. But I do know more about women’s clothing than I ever thought I would! I also have my day job at Maglin Site furniture where I work with architects and designers to help create amazing green spaces for our communities. When we aren’t working we like to hang out with friends and family at our pool (raising water bugs), and I try to get several swims in a week. Never know when I finally join masters or even need to hustle someone at the local swim club! We also like to travel when we can; my wife is from Bogota, Colombia so getting back there again soon is on the list of post-pandemic to-do’s!
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Wrightsville Beach. It was one of the main deciding factors in attending UNCW. And being on the ocean rescue squad didn’t hurt…
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Hawkpride!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
You are developing lifelong skills and relationships throughout your time in the UNCW swimming and diving program. These are skills that will benefit you, whatever you do in life. The relationships are ones that you will able to lean on when you need it the most. Take care of both and cultivate them and no doubt you will be successful.