Georgia Diving Club

Coaches

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coach Dan Laak

Coach Laak started the Georgia Diving Club in 1987 during his first year as the Head Men's and Women's Diving Coach for the University of Georgia.  Coach Laak is in his 22nd year with the Bulldogs.  During his tenure Coach Laak has coached three NCAA National Champions, numerious NCAA All-Americans, SEC Champions, US Diving National Team Members, US Diving National Champions, and Junior National finalists.  In 2008 Coach Laak became an Olympic Coach when one of his divers, Chris Colwill qualified for the Beijing Olympics. 

 

Coach Laak's duties with GDC include Club Presiden, Director of Operations, Head Senior Coach and camp director for the Georgia Diving Camp held each summer.  You can e-mail Coach Laak at dlaak@sports.uga.edu.

 

Coach Rachel Blair

Rachel began diving with the Georgia Diving Club, (then called Classic City Diving) when she was 7 years old. Her parents signed her up when she started doing dives and flips off of the diving board at home. Rachel dove and competed for GDC and her high school for over 10 years. Through diving Rachel was able to travel all over the country and form strong friendships with her teammates and friends across the country. Throughout her diving career Rachel competed in several national championships and earned the All-American award for high school diving.
Currently, Rachel is a third-year student at the University of Georgia, majoring in scientific illustration. Rachel plans to be an illustrator or a tattoo artist after graduation. Even though Rachel no longer is competing, she has stayed involved in the sport of diving by teaching lessons to children. Rachel feels it is exciting to see each child progress and build upon their skills and confidence.

Coach Luke Bagnaschi

Coach Bagnaschi comes to the Georgia Diving Club from Dallas Texas.  While in Texas Coach Bagnaschi coached lesson and national level JO divers as well as a high school team. This past year he was awarded the Regional Coach of the Year by the Texas High School Commission. 

 

Before Texas Coach Bagnaschi coached six high schools, a masters swim team, a high school swim team and also the Boston Area Diving team in his home state of Massachusetts.  He has coached State Champions as well as other top 10 divers at the state meets in Massachusetts and Texas.  He has also coached multiple Junior National finalists and received coaching excellance awards. 

 

Coach Bagnaschi dove for The University of Redlands in California where he was a four year undefeated Conference Champion.  He was also the Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference Athlete of the Year, an All-American and still holds pool and team records. 

 

Coach Bagnschi is very excited about the Georgia Diving Club.  He will be responsible for overseeing the lesson and high school programs and will severe as the Head Junior Olympic Coach.  You can email Coach Bagnaschi at georgiadivingclub@hotmail.com.

 

Coach Jonathan Fennelly

Jonathan Fennelly hails to us from the great city of Watkinsville, Georgia. Jonathan started diving with Georgia Diving Club at the early age of 7 years old. He was a national qualifier from 1999-2006 and a finalist through many of them. Jonathan has only coached for Georgia Diving Club. He is currently attending Gainsville College and receiving a degree in Pre-Law. Jonathan has developed a great pleasure in coaching diving and learning more about a sport he used to compete in.
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