Nazareth/Easton YMCA Swim Team

Whether it was swimming on State Championship winning teams in high school, competing on a USA club team, or swimming on a Division I college team, he learned from a variety of coaches how to build a successful swim program.

From this, he took his passion and knowledge to successfully help transform two teams. First, the St. Peter’s University team, his alma mater. As a swimmer, assistant coach, and interim head coach, he helped take a team that was winless for consecutive seasons, to one that was competitive in its conference and winning many more meets than previously attained. Second, the Lopatcong Community Swim Team. As the Head Coach he took this age group team which had lost every single meet for ten years in row, to one that earned consecutive winning records and team trophies. More importantly though, is the pride he takes in helping to mold and develop swimmers in and out of the water. That is, he believes in developing the whole swimmer. Actually, his coaching philosophy is based around an idea you might often hear him say, “Coach the swimmer, not the stroke.” By this, he means there is more than one way to successfully train a swimmer, and training swimmers is more than just technique and yardage. It also encompasses the development of confidence, sportsmanship, team play, and good character within each athlete. 

Currently, as the Lopatcong Head Coach in the Summer and Nazareth YMCA Head Coach in the Winter, he is loving every minute of it and looks forward to seeing all the swimmers at practice and meets!

Carlton grew up in Philadelphia, and initially learned to swim at the age of 5 through the Germantown YMCA. Later he began swimming for the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, also known as PDR Swimming. With the coaching expertise of International Swimming Hall of Fame Coach Jim Ellis, he developed a love for competitive swimming. While pursuing his degree at Tuskegee University, Carlton continued to swim and worked as a lifeguard. Though he got away from competitive swimming after graduating and obtaining a job as a Financial Advisor, the desire to work with swimmers always remained. He returned to the sport 8 years ago as a coach with Easton Aquatic Club and then the Bluefins. He has since taken leadership positions in Middle Atlantic Swimming as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair and coaching the Middle Atlantic Zone Team. He looks forward to working with Y swimmers and helping them reach their goals in and out of the pool.