Team Sponsors

Coaches & Directors

We are here to support your needs. If your questions are related to workouts, meets, events, goal setting, and other swimming related needs, please contact one of the coaches. For all questions related to administrative, such as dues, safety, or policy issues, please contact Coach Don Henshaw

Coaching Staff

Don Henshaw

National, Sr 1 Coach / Team Dir.

After club swimming in North Miami Beach, Miami Carol City High School and Indian River CC, Coach Don Henshaw started his coaching career in 1975 in Miami, FL and later (1978) continued coaching with GLCY. After a brief hiatus to build a family business and help Coach Connie raise Coaches Heather and Jen, Coach Don rejoined the coaching ranks in 1985 with Swim Florida. He coached there unitl he started Gulf Coast Swim Team in 1998. Coach Don has developed numerous National Top 16 swimmers, Florida High School State Champions (including Coach Jen Seluk), Junior National, Senior National, and Olympic Trial qualifiers. His coaching philosophy is "train hard, swim fast". Don married Connie Henshaw in 1976. They raised two daughters, Heather (Fort), and Jennifer (Seluk) who have blessed him with six grandchildren.

Connie E Henshaw

Gold Team - Head Age Group Coach

Coach Connie Henshaw is a graduate of Hialeah High School, and swam for Hialeah Swim Association and North Dade YMCA where she qualified for Senior Nationals in the 200 Butterfly. She was also one of the top female waterpolo players in the USA.
Coach Connie has produced some of the fastest age group swimmers in the United States in the last 15 years, many National Top 16 swimmers, Florida LSC record breakers, and helped them reach the top with several #1 rankings and NAG records.
She is married to Coach Don and has 2 daughters, Heather Fort, and Jen Seluk, as well as 6 grandchildren.

Gregg Cross

Sr 2, Masters / Open Water Dir.

I began my swimming and coaching careers at age 16 as a member of the University Swim Club, in Cleveland. In 1979 I graduated Kent State University ’s Education Program and moved to Ft. Myers where, in 1980, I became (and remain) a teacher at Bonita Middle School .

In 1985, I joined Swim Florida as a coach, and in 1987, moved to Cape Coral to establish a separate entity of Swim Florida; Swim Florida Cape. In nine years with Swim Florida Cape , I helped develop several Sr. and Jr National Swimmers, as well as numerous high school state champions. In 1996, I was promoted to head age group coach for Swim Florida, and subsequently helped expand the south Lee County age group program at FGCU. Since 1999 I have served as race director for the USA Swimming Open Water National Championships, and was race director for the USA Swimming World Trials, twice. For my open water involvement, I was awarded the Glen S. Hummer Award.

I have continued my love of swimming through an extensive career as a triathlete, and later in open water swimming having completed the 12.5 Key West Swim three times, the Tampa Bay 23 mile swim, and numerous others. I reside on my farm in Estero with my wife, Sandy. Additionally, I have a son Matt, 25, who is a horse trainer in Colorado . Above all, I am proud to be a part of this first class program!

Jen a Seluk

Silver Team Coach

Coach Jen Seluk (formerly Henshaw) joined GCST in her current capacity as Senoir Group Stroke Coach in 2005. Prior to that she attended Florida State University and Cleveland State University where she competed in the 400 IM, 200 Fly, 200 Breast, 1650 Free, and 1000 Free. She is the 1997 2A State Champion in the Girls 200 IM and that same year she also made her Sr. National cut in the 200M Breast while winning Jr. Nationals. Coach Jen’s philosophy is oriented toward stroke technique and efficiency but balances her work outs with good old fashion hard work. She is currently the Head Boys and Girls Swim Coach at Estero High School. Jen is married to Matt and they have two year old triplet sons Hunter, Parker and Ryder, as well as a little girl, Karter Rose Seluk arriving in April 19, 2010. Her loyalty resides in GCST and is confident that they will continue to make strides towards excellence!

Sharon Snew

San Carlos Bronze Coach

Coach Sharon joined GCST in 2004 as a part time novice coach and after a year got her coaching certificate and became a full time coach. She has been on the pool deck with her 2 nephews since 2001 when they joined the team. She comes from a very competitive swimming background growing up in Ohio and competing for 10 years making it to national level in the 100 and 200 backstroke. She has over the years swum for master teams and tries to get in pool time whenever she can. She enjoys the novice swimmers and likes to see them improve from barely making it to the end of pool to competing in their first meet and watching their faces as they get that best time. Success! When she is not on the pool deck she enjoys her creative side as a graphic/web designer and raising her two nephews.

Megan Barr

FGCU Bronze Coach

Coach Megan Barr has been involved with competitive swimming, both as a swimmer and a coach, for about 18 years. While in high school, she was a 3-time state qualifier. Megan attended Penn State University and was a member of the varsity swim team her freshmen year, before a shoulder injury ended her competitive swimming career. She couldn’t stay away from swimming though, coaching summer developmental league teams throughout college and graduate school. She started volunteer coaching for Swim Florida in April 2009 before switching to Gulf Coast Swim Team in September. Megan currently works as an office assistant at FGCU in the Physical Plant, doing on environmental research and various office tasks. She is excited to help develop the Bronze Team at FGCU and is happy to be a part of such a first-rate organization.

Sue Postma

North Team Senior Coach

Coach Sue Postma has been involved in competitive swimming as both a swimmer and coach for over 17 years. She began her coaching career in Michigan for a local age group program specializing in stroke, sprint, turns, and technique. After years at the age group level, she took the position of Head Swimming and Diving Coach at Davison High School and Kearsley High School. While coaching in Michigan, she helped multiple swimmers excel in State level competitions. Upon moving to Florida, she accepted the position of Head Swimming and Diving Coach for Ida Baker High School. As a swimmer, her events were the 200 IM, 100 Fly, 100 Back, and Sprint Free. She was a State qualifier for multiple events for several years throughout her competitive years. Due to an illness as a Senior in high school, she decided to end her days as a competitive swimmer and focus on coaching other aspiring athletes achieve goals at State and National levels. Her coaching philosophy is centered on dedication, committment, discipline, and hard work. Coach Sue is very excited to be part of such a solid team. Sue is currently a teacher at Ida Baker HS.

Michael S. Verwest

North Team Age Group Coach

In his youth, Coach Mike swam for the Fort Myers Swim Association, and four years at Fort Myers High School. In 1976, his senior year, he was co-captain of his H.S. team and was Conference champ in the 200 free and Regional HS champion in the 200 and 500 freestyle, and was the first swimmer in FMHS to go under 1:50.0 in the 200 free. He swam one year at Davidson College, but transferred to Florida Atlantic University (which had no swim team then) to focus on his pre-med studies. But Mike continued to swim for recreation through college, med school, and residency, and competed in triathalons, open water swims, and masters competitions and has remained an avid "student of the sport" over the years.

Mike and his wife Laura are blessed with two children, Elisabeth and Matthew who both swim for GCST!

Coach Mike believes that every child has the inner potential to be a champion, if he or she dedicates themself to developing technical, physical and mental excellence. But he emphasizes that there is much more to being a true champion than just swimming fast. Coach Mike is excited to be part of the GCST tradition of producing champions in the pool, in school, and in their community.

David Willoughby

Assistant Age Group Coach

Dave has been personally involved with competitive swimming for 20+ years both as an athlete and coach. Dave swam competitively at Iowa State University for one year, before joining the United States Marine Corps. While serving, he led the All-Marine Swim Team to two Commanding Generals Cup Championships. Corporal Willoughby was the head coach and high-point winner both years. Dave returned to college after being Honorably Discharged, this time to the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point. In three year’s, Dave racked-up 12 NCAA DIII All-American certificates and established two national titles and records. Dave was voted Team Captain, hardest worker, and most inspirational all three years and graduated with a degree in Developmental Coaching. Coach Dave has trained every level of competitive swimmer from novice to Olympic Trials. Currently, he is a member of the North Naples Fire Department and busy raising a family. Dave is married to Cassandra and together have three daughters, Madeline, Abbie, and Sophie (They are all on the swim team) GO GCST!