Coaches
My name is Kathleen Jackson. I am proud to have been coaching and teaching swimming in the Kingwood area for 30 years. I started out as a six and under bear, spent 10 years swimming summer league for Village Otters and Greentree. I went on to be a 4 year varsity and state qualifier at Kingwood High. I also swam BTA for 10 years. Finished out my swim career as a scholarship swimmer and conference finalist at the University of Houston. I have coached summer league for 25 years, the last ten with Bear Branch. Spent ten years with Blue Tide Aquatics as a age group coach.
I have a B.S. in Exercise Science and Education. I taught at Foster Elementary and Eaglecrest Academy. My husband Sonny and I have 3 boys, Heath 23, Austin 19 and Conner 16. So excited to be back with my bear family, looking forward to a fabulous season. Swimming has given me so much, I am so lucky to get to share the sport I love with your Children. Paws up!!
Hi, y’all! My name is Gabe Soto, and I have spent my whole life swimming and have been doing competitive swimming since I was 10 years old. I started out by swimming my first year with the Shenandoah Sharks and then spent 8 years swimming for the Bears and all 4 fours at Kingwood High School. I am a recent December graduate from Texas Tech University, and I am hoping to continue my studies to pursue my Master's in the fall. This will be my 12th year with the Bear Branch Swim Team and my fourth year as a swim coach. I am very excited to be working with our bears again this season. GOOOO BEARS!!!
Hello bears!!
My name is Renee Alcala and I am beyond excited to be coaching for Bear Branch for my 4th time! I am currently a Junior at University of Alabama, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Biology. I have been swimming since I was 5 years old and continued my passion for this sport through Blue Tide Aquatics, Bear Branch Swim Team, and Kingwood Park Varsity swim team, where I was named All- State all four years. I love the sport of swimming and can’t wait to watch others begin and continue to grow their love and passion for this sport.
Hello Bears! 🐻
My name is Kene Williams, and I’m thrilled to be returning this year as one of the assistant coaches! The excitement I feel about this upcoming season is through the roof, and I can’t wait to dive in and start working with all of you!
A little bit about me: I’ve spent the last 14 years teaching and coaching at Kingwood Middle School, and swimming has been a lifelong passion of mine. My journey with the Bears actually started when I was just a little girl swimming for this very team! Now, I’m lucky enough to have my daughter and sister-in-law both swimming for the Bears, and my son is almost ready to join in on the fun.
I’m so excited to see what this season holds, and I look forward to helping each of you grow as swimmers, teammates, and individuals. Let’s make this a season to remember!
Go Bears!!
Hi bears! My name is Sam Thibodeaux, and I am excited to be joining the coaching staff as an assistant coach! I am currently a Freshman at Florida Atlantic university, majoring in Health Science. I started swimming with bear branch when I was 4 years old and have been with the team for 13 years. I continued my passion for swimming with Blue Tide Aquatics, and then the Varsity team with Kingwood High School, where I was on the state team all four years. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to watch others grow into the sport and create new friendships while having a fun season!
Goooo Bears!!!!
