Socorro Ragin' Gators

Annia began her swimming career at the age of 9 years old for El Paso Aqua Posse. Annia was a fast learner and a natural born swim star, achieving age group tags times in a few short years and never looked back. She continued her distinguished swim career racking up every highpoint, sectionals cut, and award she could under the tutelage of the one and only Jeff Ellsworth!
Annia was only the second swimmer at Montwood High School and SISD to ever make it to state. She did so in the 100 yard Breaststroke. 

From there Annia earned a swimming scholarship to Trinity University where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology while helping the women's swim team win 4 consecutive conference championship titles. She then went on to earn her master's degree in counselling from NMSU. 

Annia started coaching in 2009 and was the first coach hired when the Gators started. With her incredible work ethic and esteemed swim career she was a pivotal part in the early success of the Gators swim team. Annia also coached 2 years for Aqua Posse alongside Jeff and Alex.

Annia wears many hats! She is the owner of Tightrope Therapy, her private practice where she provides mental health therapy to moms and women.  She and Alex also own Sun City Swimming, home of the Gators as well as Sun City Swim Lessons, Sun City Masters (swim team for adults) and Sun City Swim Club (school-year swim team for kids). She is also a mom and stepmom, now fully embracing her "swim mom" role in addition to coaching. She is super excited for this season and can't wait to share her love of swimming with your family!

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Alex first started swimming at 6 years old on a summer league team just like this one called The Blue Dolphins! There he fell in love with the sport that would eventually lead to a lifelong career around the water. As a teen he swam summers at Vista Hills Country Club, where he began his coaching career at 15, and swam for EPAP during high school.

At 18, Alex started coaching USA swimming for El Paso Aqua Posse. He coached alongside his high school coach and first mentor, the renowned Jeff Ellsworth. This is where his knowledge and love for high quality swim instruction grew. Alex and Jeff co-founded the Gators swim team in 2009 where he coached until 2014 before moving to the Dallas/Fort Worth area where he continued coaching for 2 teams under his next two swimming mentors, coach Russ Eidman and international coach Gilberto Junior.

Alex brings over 20 years of coaching experience to Gators and is excited to use his expertise to elevate the future of swimming in El Paso!   Alex and Annia own Sun City Swimming, home to the Gators swim team, along with Sun City Swim Lessons (a robust swim lessons program for babies, kids and adults), Sun City Masters (a swim team for adults), and Sun City Swim Club (a school-year swim team for kids).  

Taylor is a Paralympian who recently competed at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.  She began swimming at the age of 4 as a love of swimming runs in her family. Her older sister was also a swimmer and her mom a swim coach.  Taylor's favorite events include the 100 fly, 100 backstroke, 400 free, and 200IM.  Taylor won seven medals (three gold and four silver) at the Parapan American Games Santiago 2023, making her the most-decorated U.S. athlete of those Games.  

Taylor is originally from Hershey, Pennsylvania and recently located to El Paso with her husband who serves in the army.  We are thrilled to welcome Taylor to the Gators team and bring her expertise to our swimmers!

Sophia started swimming at age 4 and has been in love with the water ever since.  She is completing her senior year at El Dorado High School and is a member of the varsity swim team.  Sophia competes in the 200 free or 200 IM and 500 free, making her a distance swimming queen.  
Following graduation, she is headed to NMSU in the fall to continue her love for theatre and enroll in their film school.

Ezra started her swimming journey with Gators 5 years ago! She is preparing to wrap up her last year at Eastlake High School and is a member of the Eastlake varsity swim team.  Her favorite strokes are butterfly and freestyle.  She is thrilled to be returning to Gators as an assistant coach for the third year as she loves coaching the team where her swim journey started!

Jaime started swimming competitively as a freshman four years ago. He joined the Gators three years ago and has since fallen in love with swimming and helping others grow their own love for the sport.  He is finishing up his senior year at Eastlake High School where he is a part of the varsity swim team.  He plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall and plans to join the swim team.