Our Coaches
The KSC coaching staff, led by head coaches John and Kevin Flanagan.
John Flanagan, Head Coach
Coach John began his coaching career after his graduation from Auburn University where he was a member of the NCAA National Championship Swim Team in 1997 and a 4 year National Team member. John is a distance freestyle specialist where his swimming career continued to excel after college by winning the 10K National Open Water Championship in 2001. John’s international fame came from a gold medal in the 1998 World Championships and the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships. John also competed as a professional triathlete with an 8:49 best Ironman. He was first out of the water at the 2009 Ironman World Championships and holds numerous 70.3 and Ironman Swim Records.
John combines his coaching strengths with his brother Kevin, as they share the Head Coach responsibilities at the Kamehameha Swim Club. He joined KSC in 2001 and has seen the team win 49 straight Hawaii State Championships. John and Kevin have taken KSC swimmers to a USA National Title, the 2008 Olympic games, Olympic Trials, Senior Nationals, Junior Nationals, Sectionals, and Zones. Along the way KSC swimmers have broke over 400 Hawaii State Records and also include Sectional and Zone Champions. John is an ASCA Level 5 coach with a Masters in Exercise Physiology from the University of Hawaii.
Coaching staff
Jacqueline Barklund
Groups: Jr Bronze, Gold
Coach Jack grew up in Culpeper, a small town in the mountains of Virginia where she began swimming competitively at the age of 6. She continued her collegiate swimming career at the University of North Florida while also graduating with a degree in biomedical sciences. During her time at North Florida she received many awards and accolades including school records in the 100 backstroke and multiple team relay records. In the 100 backstroke she still holds all of the top 10 times in school history. After graduating college, she moved to Hawaii and continued her love for the sport of swimming and her passion for the water. In her free time she enjoys surfing, paddling, running, reading, and enjoying the outdoors. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge to help athletes build mastery in the sport.
Paige Kupsky
Groups: Jr Silver
Coach Paige brings over 10 years of coaching experience to the team, with a strong background in both competitive swimming and education. A former Division I swimmer at American University, she has coached with some of the nation's top programs including Nation's Capital Aquatic Club and Greater Somerset County YMCA. Originally from Pennsylvania, Paige now calls Oʻahu home, where she also teaches 2nd grade. She is passionate about helping young athletes grow both in and out of the pool, combining her love for teaching and swimming to create a positive, motivating environment for all her swimmers.
Luke Barnes
Groups: Bronze 2, Silver
Coach Luke was born and raised in Tulsa Oklahoma in the small community of Berryhill. He began his aquatic adventures through Boy Scouts of America getting his Mile Swim Badge, scuba certification and a 10 day High Adventure canoe trek into Minnesota and Canada. Lifeguard certification lead him to become waterfront director at YMCA Camp Takatoka for 3 summers in a row, He also was head lifeguard and teaching swim lessons at the downtown Tulsa YMCA between summers. His move to Hawaii at the age of 21 helped him to further pursue his aquatic dreams. His job at the Oahu Club and has been living out his dream teaching swim lessons and coaching swim team ever since.
Nicole Cook
Groups: Menehune, Kaku
Coach Nicole grew up in Spokane, Washington, where she began swimming competitively at the age of 6. She continued her swimming career at the collegiate level at Concordia University Irvine before transferring to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology. Nicole’s passion for coaching developed through her experience teaching swim lessons at the Oahu Club, where she worked with swimmers of all ages and skill levels. As a coach, she strives to create a positive and encouraging environment where swimmers can strengthen their technique, challenge themselves, and develop a lasting love for swimming.
Jenner Johnson
Groups: Senior
Coach Jenner grew up in Fair Oaks, California, with a lifelong love for the water and began teaching swim lessons at a young age. She went on to swim Division I at San José State University, where she was a member of the Women’s Swimming & Diving team and served as a team captain. A breaststroker at heart, she primarily competed in the 100 breaststroke and developed a deep appreciation for the technique, discipline, and confidence swimming can build. After college, Jenner continued her passion for the sport through teaching and coaching swimmers of all ages and abilities. She especially loves working with kids, helping them build confidence, find excitement in the sport, and develop a genuine love for swimming. Now based in Hawaiʻi, she enjoys spending her free time swimming, surfing, running, and staying active. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and helping swimmers grow both in and out of the pool.
Also on deck
Kevin Flanagan
Robin Flanagan
Coach
Reach our coaches through the club at swimksc@gmail.com.
Kanoa Sawai
Kahiau Kea
Lara Yasumi
Nohea Lileikis
Swim for Hawaii's #1 team
Practices at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and the Oahu Club in Hawaii Kai.