Avonworth Alligators

Claire is taking over the Avonworth Alligators in a new role as head coach for the 2026 Summer Swim Season.  Claire has been involved in competitive swimming for several years with Northgate Aquatics (NGAC), the Northgate/Avonworth HS Swim Team, and was an Avonworth Alligator herself!  Claire was a WPIAL Medalist on the 200 Yard Medley Relay and is part of the Northgate HS Record Time in that event.  She was also a WPIAL Finalist in the 100 Yard Butterfly and 100 Yard Backstroke.  Claire just completed her Freshman Year at Penn State University, Main Campus where she is majoring in Marketing.

Claire's Favorites:

Favorite Swim Stroke:  Butterfly
Favorite Event to Compete In:  100 Backstroke
Favorite Pre-Meet Meal:  Pasta
Best Summer Swim Memory:  Having fun at the banquets!
Favorite Olympic Swimmer:  Caleb Dressel
Favorite Restaurant:  Condado
Hidden Talent:  Playing Harmonica
Favorite Sport (aside from Swimming):  Volleyball
Favorite Color:  Red
Favorite Sports Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Favorite Type of Music:  Country
Favorite School Subject: Economics

Coach Alex is a new addition to the coaching staff for 2026!  Alex, a former Alligator herself, began swimming at six years old with Avonworth's summer team.  She joined Northgate Aquatics (NGAC) as a club swimmer and has completed her 4th year as a coach with the NGAC Stingrays.  She coaches both short-course long-course at the club level.  Alex comments that being a coach has allowed her to give back to a sport that has helped to shape her in so many ways.  Outside of the pool, Alex is in her 11th year as a teacher, where she brings leadership, creativity, and dedication into the classroom on a daily basis.  In her free time, she also runs her own small business, combining her passion for working with others and creating meaningful experiences.

Alex's Favorites:

• Favorite Swim Stroke:  Backstroke
• Favorite Event to Compete In:  200 Back
• Favorite Pre-Meet Meal: Bagel with PB and a Banana
• Best Summer Swim Memory: End of the Season Alligator Parties
• Favorite Olympic Swimmer:  Michael Phelps
• Favorite Restaurant: Chili's
• Hidden Talent: Making Balloon Arches, Party Planning
• Favorite Sport (aside from Swimming): Hockey
• Favorite Color: Dark Green
• Favorite Sports Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
• Favorite Type of Music: Country
• Favorite School Subject:  English

Katie Petrina is serving as an Assistant Coach for 2026, but has grown up through the Alligators Swim Program!  She began as an Alligator at the age of 7 and also was a swimmer in the Northgate Aquatics Club (NGAC).  Katie also swam for the Northgate/Avonworth HS Swim Team and was a PIAA Gold Medalist in the 400 Free Relay and a WPIAL Medalist in several other events.  Katie was a volunteer Alligator Coach for several years through high school.  Katie just finished her Freshman Year at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is majoring in Biology.

Katie's Favorites:

• Favorite Swim Stroke: Freestyle
• Favorite Event to Compete In: 100 Free
• Favorite Pre-Meet Meal: Bagel with Peanut Butter and a Banana
• Best Summer Swim Memory: Creating so many memories with my friends at Champs!
• Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Katie Ledecky
• Favorite Restaurant: Longhorn Steakhouse
• Hidden Talent: Painting or Baking
• Favorite Sport (aside from Swimming): Soccer
• Favorite Color: Blue
• Favorite Sports Team: US Women's National Soccer Team
• Favorite Type of Music: Country and Pop
• Favorite School Subject: Science

Rachel Buzzard is spending her 2nd Year with the Alligators as an assistant coach. She is finishing up her Junior year at Avonworth High School. Rachel has been a swimmer with the Alligators since 2018!  She is a coach at Northgate Aquatics Club (NGAC) where she has been swimming for 8 years. Rachel is also a member of the Northgate/Avonworth High School Swim Team where she qualified for the WPIAL and PIAA Championships in all three years of her high school career so far.  In 2025, Rachel became the newest Northgate record holder in the 100 Breaststroke (and reset the mark in 2026).  Rachel is also part of the 200 Medley Relay that set the Northgate record in 2025.  Rachel has been swimming since she was 6 months old!

Rachel's Favorites:

• Favorite Swim Stroke: Breaststroke
• Favorite Event to Compete In: 100 Breast
• Favorite Pre-Meet Meal: Pesto Alfredo Pasta
• Best Summer Swim Memory: The after meet pool parties!
• Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Lydia Jacoby
• Favorite Restaurant: Playa Bowls
• Hidden Talent: Origami
• Favorite Sport (besides Swimming): Formula One Racing
• Favorite Color: Yellow
• Favorite Sports Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
• Favorite Type of Music: Hip-Hop and Pop
• Favorite School Subject: Science

JoAnn Cook is a 2nd Year Avonworth Alligators coach and is thrilled to be returning to such an amazing team!  She is currently a swimmer for Team Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics (PEAQ), where she specializes in backstroke, middle-distance freestyle, and the Individual Medley.  JoAnn also competes with the Northgate/Avonworth HS Swim Team where she has earned numerous WPIAL and PIAA medals.  In 2025-26, JoAnn was the WPIAL Gold Medalist in the 200 Free and the Silver Medalist in the 100 Back.  JoAnn followed this up by finishing 5th in the 200 Free at the PIAA Championship Meet and brought home a Bronze Medal in the 100 Back.  Not only is she a dedicated athlete, she is also an outstanding student who carries a 4.25 GPA through her Freshman and Sophomore years.  Since joining the Avonworth Alligators in 2023, JoAnn has shown true dedication toward improving the team and being a mentor for our youngest swimmers.  She is excited to continue this in 2026!

JoAnn's Favorites:

• Favorite Swim Stroke: Backstroke
• Favorite Event to Compete In: 200 Backstroke
• Favorite Pre-Meet Meal: Goodles (Protein Mac and Cheese)
• Best Summer Swim Memory: Cheering for every summer at Individual Champs!
• Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Regan Smith
• Favorite Restaurant: The Cheescake Factory
• Hidden Talent: I can wiggle my ears!
• Favorite Sport (aside from Swimming): Basketball
• Favorite Color: Light Blue
• Favorite Sports Team: University of South Carolina Women's Basketball
• Favorite Type of Music: Pop, Country, or Hip-Hop
• Favorite School Subject: Math or Psychology

Addison Hase is returning to the Alligators coaching staff for her second year as an assistant after serving for several years as a volunteer coach. She has been swimming with the Avonworth Alligators since she was 7 years old.  Addison has also swum with the Northgate Aquatics Club (NGAC) and cuurently competes wit Team Pittsburgh Elite Aquatics (PEAQ).  Addison also swims with the Norhgate/Avonworth HS Swim Team.  In 2025-2026, Addison medaled at the WPIAL Championship Meet in the 200 Freestyle (6th) and the 500 Freestyle (3rd).  Addison followed that effort up by placing in 5th at the PIAA Championship Meet.  She is the Current Northgate HS Record Holder in the 500 Freestyle.  Addison will be a Junior at Avonworth in the Fall of 2026 is excited to return for another amazing Summer of fun with the Alligators.

Addison's Favorites:

• Favorite Swim Stroke: Freestyle
• Favorite Event to Compete In: 500 Freestyle
• Favorite Pre-Meet Meal: Grilled Sandwich from Chick-Fil-A
• Best Summer Swim Memory:Cheering with the team at Individual Champs!
• Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Bobby Finke
• Favorite Restaurant: Slippery Mermaid
• Hidden Talent: I like to make greeting cards!
• Favorite Sport (aside from Swimming): Football
• Favorite Color: Pink
• Favorite Sports Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
• Favorite Type of Music: Pop
• Favorite School Subject: Science

Anna Kohler makes a return to the Avonworth Alligators this summer.  You may remember her from the past as she was the Alligators' Head Coach from 2022-2024 and was a prior Assistant Coach for years before that.  2026 will mark her 8th year as a leader in the Alligators' Summer Program.  She will assume a new role of Director of Operations this year, where she will work with both our coaches and swimmers to develop growth as the season unfolds.  After recently concluding her collegiate career at Allegheny College, Anna is excited to share her knowledge and love of the sport with the next generation of leaders and swimmers in our swim program.  Anna is a three-time 2nd Team All-Conference swimmer in college, a three-time CSCAA Scholastic All-District recipient, and a 16-time PAC Conference Medalist!  Anna is happy to be back with her Alligator family as she closes the swim chapter of her life!

Anna's Favorites:

• Favorite Swim Stroke: Butterfly
• Favorite Event to Compete In: 100 Fly
• Favorite Pre-Meet Meal: Chicken Salad
• Best Summer Swim Memory: The last home meet my Senior Year
• Favorite Olympic Swimmer: Katie Ledecky
• Favorite Restaurant: Aladdin's
• Hidden Talent: I can play the clarinet!
• Favorite Sport (aside from Swimming): Football
• Favorite Color: Blue
• Favorite Sports Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
• Favorite Type of Music: Country
• Favorite School Subject: History