The Cyprus Fairbanks Swim Team (FLEET) announced that Jaime Lewis will take over as the club’s new head coach.
FLEET, which swims out of Cypress, Texas, is a part of the Gulf Swimming LSC. It’s currently recognized as a Silver Medal Club within USA Swimming’s Club Excellence Program and has developed athletes who rank in the 18&U World 100.
Lewis has previous connections to the club before becoming the head coach: she was an age group coach for FLEET from 2005-2008. Lewis also grew up competing in the Gulf Swimming LSC. She swam for the Woodlands Swim Team, which is another team in Harris County. Lewis went on to swim for the University of Florida, where she was an NCAA All-American and qualified for the World University Games.
Lewis had a stint in collegiate coaching with the University of Houston (2008-2012) before heading to Gator Swim Club to become its head coach. She served in Gainsville through a full Olympic “quad” from 2012-2016. Lewis helped elevate GSC to Gold Medal Club Excellence ranking within the first three years of her arrival. While with Gator Swim Club, Lewis developed athletes up to the USA Swimming National Junior Team level, including distance-specialist True Sweetser.
Lewis took a break from the pool deck to take a position with USA Swimming in 2016 as the organization’s special projects manager. In 2019, she transitioned into the role of performance development manager within the Team Services division. In that role, she visited clubs around the U.S. to work with both athletes and coaches. Prior to accepting the head coach position at FLEET, she served as USA Swimming’s national junior team performance manager, a role she was designated in June.
Louis Demetriades, the previous head coach of FLEET, was diagnosed with pancreatic and bone cancer in June. He has over 30 years of coaching experience, having served as head coach of Memphis Tiger Swimming and the NGSV Gator Aquatics. He also served as the head age group/Masters coach at Nashville Aquatic Club. While at NAC, he was awarded Age Group Coach of the Year for the Southeastern LSC (2000).
Demetriades also has experience working with USA National and Junior National athletes who have qualified for and medaled at the Pan American Games and World Championships. His most recognized athletes include World Championships qualifier Pace Clark and recent USA Junior Team member Hayden Miller.
Lewis is expected to join the club full-time in mid-September as she makes the move with her family to Houston.
Congratulations, Jaime!
Dude, Louis man. I don’t know if you remember me but you helped me out when I was getting out of the service and even offered me a position. You were a real nice guy and really took the time talk with me and it really helped during a difficult time. You ran a solid team in southern cal and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t regret taking that position.
It breaks my heart to hear what you are going through. The world could not be so lucky to have more coaches like you. You’re and inspiration and a good guy.
Hang in there man.
Great hire! Congratulations!
Superb hire! Quality person and great family backing her.
Let’s go Jaime!