Gwinnett County Swim and Dive Booster Club

I am Karen Hartpence, I am currently at Trickum Middle School teaching math after teaching high school math for just over ten years. I am super excited to be coaching Diving for Meadowcreek, Norcross and Duluth High Schools. I have years of experience coaching high school swimming and tennis. I have loved diving since the 1976 Olympics and can't wait to get started. In my spare time I enjoy tennis, gardening, and Block Blast on my phone.

Coach Kerry Kerr graduated from Archer High in 2016 in Lawrenceville, Georgia where he grew up. In high school, Kerry was a member of Track, XC, and Swimming & Diving. Kerry went on to continue his education at Bethany College (WV), double majoring in Psychology and Theatre with a minor in Spanish. He dove collegially while at Bethany and has been coaching springboard diving since 2016. He has been at Harbins for 2.5 years. With a background in behavior/ABA, Kerry now teaches Kindergarten ASD3. Kerry enjoys long distance running, diving (still), shopping, sharing time with friends and family, and travel. This is his 5th year coaching in GCPS; Lanier, Mill Creek, Mtn. View, & Seckinger. Coach Kerr is excited for another great dive and swim season!

Coach McLendon will be joining the staff this year as the dive coach for several teams (including Brookwood, Grayson and South Gwinnett). Coach McLendon has previously taught diving and looks forward to helping our divers compete in both the county and state levels.

Coach Quinn Watch is a proud graduate of Paul Duke STEM High School, in Norcross, GA, where she was part of the first graduating class. In high school she competed as a swimmer and diver at private school prior to attending Paul Duke. Due to Paul Duke not being able to offer sports at the time she was there, she trained and competed for Spartans Aquatic Club and Georgia Diving Club before moving to college and competing at Sewanee. Throughout her time at Paul Duke, Quinn joined theater, DECA, Mock Trial, and was an ambassador of the school. Prior to being a diver, Quinn swam for Thunderbolts swim team and was a gymnast at Ultimate Gymnastics. Quinn also coaches summer league diving at Dunwoody Country Club. She went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in History Education from Kennesaw State University (Hooty Hoo). She is a teacher at New Life Academy of Excellence for 6th grade social studies. This is her third year coaching for North Gwinnett and Berkmar. When she is not on a pool deck or at school, Quinn enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and watching stand-up comedy and Formula 1 racing.

Peter Smithson is a graduate of Collins Hill High School, Suwanee, GA, where he was part of the varsity swim/dive team. Throughout his time at Collins Hill, he was a 3-time state champion and dove competitively for Georgia Diving Club (GDC).Peter also competed collegiately, at the Division 1 level, for Southern Methodist University (SMU). He graduated with a Bachelor of Science and is now working as a business consultant. He has previously coached for Dallas Metroplex Dive Club and Georgia Diving Club, and is now entering his second season as a community coach for Gwinnett County Public Schools. He enjoys weekends full of football and taking his truck off-roading.

Sam Graduated from Mountain View High School in 2022, where he was a member of the varsity swim and dive team, 3-time state qualifier, and Gwinnett County diver of the year in his senior year. He went on to Dive at Birmingham-Southern College for 2 years before the school shut down. He transferred to Towson University (MD) and graduated with a degree in Photography. On the boards he was a 2 time NCAA zone qualifier, CAA champion and runner up on 1 meter and 3 meter respectively, while also receiving CAA Diver of the year award in senior season. Outside of coaching he enjoys photography, spending time with friends, and an avid motorsports enjoyer.