Coaches
Head Coach:
Morgan Rulevich
I began my swimming experience on the Gators when I was 8 years old and eventually decided to swim long-course seasons with the RAYS. During the winter seasons, I would switch up my sport and play basketball! In 2019, I signed to swim Division 1 at the University of North Carolina at Asheville (Go Bulldogs) with a focus in sprint/ mid-distance freestyle and breaststroke. Since then, I’ve coached for many other teams including the River Hills Sharks, RAYS, Converse University, NAFO, and the Spartanburg Marlins. Coaching summer league has been so rewarding and FUN! I look forward to working hard, swimming fast, and making friendships!
- Phone Number: 828-774-9776
- Email: [email protected]
Assistant Coaches:
Buddy Clayton
My name is Buddy Clayton and I am happy to be one of the Gators assistant coaches. For the last 9 years I have been an assistant with the Clover Blue Eagles Swim Team. I have also been an assistant, as well as the head coach, of the River Hills Sharks. I was a year round swimmer in my youth and even swam for Clemson University. I am looking forward to being part of the Gator Family.
- Phone number: 678-386-1838
- Email: [email protected]
Grace Benes
Coach Grace grew up swimming with the Harlingen Aquatics Team in South Texas.
She went on to be a NCAA Division III All American swimmer for Wheaton College and competed in several Argentine National Championships as well as 2004 South
American Games. Over the past seventeen years she has enjoyed teaching swim lessons and coaching various teams including summer swim leagues, masters’ teams, and club swimming. She loves helping kids reach their full potential and is very excited to be a part of the Lake Wylie Gators. Outside of her time at the pool, she enjoys spending time with her husband & kids, camping, hiking, & racing in triathlons.
- Phone number: 817-522-2482
- Email: [email protected]
Ilse Wallace
Coach Ilse was born in Frankfort, South Africa and grew up swimming in their family pool. She attended the University of Pretoria, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education in 1995. During her college years, she taught swim lessons to children, as well as adults. In 1997 the Lord led her to the USA through the YMCA, Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie. She has always enjoyed working with children. Ilse has a passion for teaching new skills, as she strives to encourage and inspire every child to work hard and never give up. She has taught her own three children how to swim and how to thrive in a swim team environment. The last several years, she has been thankful for the opportunity to coach for the River Hills Sharks, in Lake Wylie. Spending quality time with her husband, Chris, and their children, is always a treasure. She also serves in her church family, plays tennis (as well as teaches lessons), enjoys running, and takes self-defense classes. Coach Ilse is excited to coach for the Gators and is looking forward to getting to know the Gator family.
- Phone Number: 704-747-4703
- Email: [email protected]
Chris Thomson
My name is Chris Thomson and I grew up swimming high school and year round for MAC. I have experience as the head coach for York Comprehensive High School for 2 years now. My family has been part of the Gators for 8 years now and our daughter, Kayla, swims for the Gators and York. I'm extremely excited to be part of the coaching staff and look forward to getting to know the swimmers.
- Phone Number: 704-914-5522
- Email: [email protected]
