SAAB

Head Coach Sarah Lear began year-round swimming when she was 8 years old. She swam through high school for Longhorn Aquatics, Texas Gold and Bowie High School. Sarah has been coaching as an assistant and head coach for two decades of summer league swim teams in South Austin.  In 2005, Coach Sarah became the head coach of the brand new South Austin Area Barracudas swim team.  This is her 20th year as head coach for the Barracudas.  Sarah is a mother of three coaches and Barracudas, an NASM certified personal trainer, a USMS Masters Swim Coach, Boot Camp instructor (Shady Hollow Sweat Camp), Master swimmer and Competitive runner and triathlete. Sarah also works full-time as a Talent Acquisition Lead for a Tech Company (Affinipay), here in Austin. She lives in Shady Hollow and absolutely adores children and the sport of swimming and loves sharing her knowledge and affinity for the sport with the community.

Hi, my name is James Lear. I've been a swim coach for the Barracudas for 5 going on 6 years. I have been a Barracuda my whole life, and am very excited about this year's season. I have swam for a couple of other year-round teams including Longhorn Aquatics and Hays Swim Club. My favorite memory of being a swimmer would have to be when I got to swim in a relay with Olympic gold medalist, Aaron Piersol, at a UT swim meet event. Outside of Barracuda coaching, I spend my time going to school to become a firefighter and going to the gym to work out and coaching the Lifetime Fitness year-round swim team. 

Hello, My name is Lilli Massey. I have been part of the Barracudas since 2008, and have been a coach since 2018. I graduated from Texas State University in 2024 with a bachelors in science education, and I am currently working at McCormick Middle School teaching 8th grade science. When I am not working or supporting my students extracurriculars (go tigers), I love being outside in nature; preferably on a boat, or with a good book. Super excited for this season and can’t wait to see everybody!!!

Hi! I'm Katherine and I’ve been with the barracudas since I was 8 years old! I love coaching because it is such a rewarding experience getting to see how the kids improve over the season! I am currently a student at Texas A&M University, and when I’m not coaching you can find me hanging out with friends or at the gym!

Hi I'm Noah! I've been a Barracuda since I was 5 years old. I like swimming and coaching because I'm good at swimming and it's fun to share my experience with the younger generation. My proudest swimming accomplishment was getting the Best Barracuda award when I was 10. My hobbies outside of swimming are football and hanging with my friends. I am currently attending Blinn College studying to be a licensed Paramedic and eventually, a firefighter.

Hi! My name is Samantha Jordan and I’m currently a student at Texas A&M University! I’ve been a barracuda for 3 years but I’ve been swimming my whole life for ASC and Circle C Swim club and Nitro swimming. I love swimming because it’s super fun and you make great friends. My favorite swimming accomplishment is when I won 1st place at Champs for girls 50 yard backstroke! When I’m not swimming you can find me at the lake or hanging out with friends!

Hi! I'm Elise Lear! I have been a Barracuda since I was 4 years old. The reason I love swimming and coaching is because I love to carry on my love and joy for swimming to other children. My biggest accomplishment in swim is being a part of the winning relay team at Champs when I was 10. We also Champed Champs that year, so it was extra fun! I like to write music and songs in my free time and you might find me at Lifetime Acquatics or Kids Club when I'm not coaching or swimming.

I'm Coach Garret! I have been a swimmer for the Barracuda’s since I was 4 so around 14 years I have been a part of this team. I love coaching because of the opportunity to help younger kids achieve their very best! My proudest swimming accomplishment was when the Barracudas won Champs a few years ago. Some hobbies I have outside of swimming is playing soccer, pickleball, and hanging out with friends.

Hi! I'm Emiliano and I’ve been a barracuda for 9 seasons. I enjoy swimming with the Barracudas because of the community we have. Also swimming is just a nice workout, and it makes me feel accomplished. My proudest or greatest swimming accomplishment is getting Best Barracuda in 2022. I felt very honored. Other than swimming, I am also a runner. Running is really my main sport. When I'm not coaching or swimming with the Cudas, I enjoy community service, hanging with friends and listening to music!

Hi! My name is Isabella Anderson and I have been a Barracuda for 11 years. I have always loved swimming because being in the water and racing brings me so much joy, and I love coaching because of the opportunity to help others learn to enjoy the sport of swimming and to grow and improve! My favorite swimming memories include champing champs when I was 10, and getting most improved for my high school team my junior year! My hobbies outside of swimming include reading, writing, hanging out with my friends, and participating in theater (specifically directing)!