Thunderbird Aquatics Club
George Minkel: Head Coach
A part of Thunderbird Aquatic Club starting September 2018 has qualified swimmers for:
- PNS Age Group Championships: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
- PNS Senior Championships: 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
- Northwest Regional Age Group Championships: 2019, 2020, 2023
- USA Speedo Sectionals: 2019, 2020, 2022
- USA Futures: 2019, 2022
Prior to Thunderbird Aquatic Club, coaching in Illinois Coach George assisted the develop of age group swimmers to qualify at the Illinois Age Group Championships, Senior Championships, and NSCA Junior Nationals in 2016, 2017, 2018 as senior assistant coach and 13 -14 lead coach. He was invited to participate at the USA Swimming National Select Camp 2017.
Prior to coaching swim, Coach George attended Southern Illinois University on a walk-on agreement. While swimming, he earned two bachelor’s degrees – Sport Administration and Recreation Management. Selected as team captain his Junior and Senior seasons while earning a scholarship his senior season from the coaching staff. Has been coached by former USA National Open Water and Egyptian Olympic Coach Rick Walker, Olympic Trial qualifier and 1992 US Open finalist Deryl Leubner, and has been a teammate of four Olympic representatives from around the world.
Adelynn Peterson: Assistant Age-group Coach
I grew up in San Luis Obispo, CA and loved it so much I stayed there for college, attending Cal Poly. I swam competitively for fifteen years, four of those being at Cal Poly while earning my BS in Food Science. I swam butterfly, IM, and distance free but now love swimming for fitness and fun! I graduated in June, completed an internship in September, and then moved to Anacortes in October. After working in industry, I found that I really missed being on deck so I’m excited to be coaching on TAC and be involved in the swimming community in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!
“Jelly” Hunter: Assistant Age-group Coach
I have been swimming with TAC for 7 years and for the Anacortes high school swim team for 2 years. My stroke is butterfly, and I swam 3 events at state this year. I am really looking forward to working with the Bronze Development group. I’m excited to see how they grow. I have been teaching swim lessons this past year and really enjoy teaching kids and seeing their growth.