Coach Biographies
David Ghazaleh: David swam competitively through middle and high school where he qualified for various championship meets in Brazil. He also swam in the Brazilian Masters division for many years. David broke two state records, one in 50 yards breast stroke and another in 4x50 Freestyle Relay. He also swam for the Brazilian Masters Swim Team in the South American Masters championship. David and his wife, Andrea, have been married for 19 years and they have 5 kids (Maite, Mariane, Dawud, Dahrel and Darion). He is a System Software Engineer with IBM in the RTP. Besides swimming, David loves soccer and enjoys coaching for the Apex Soccer League. He roots for the National Brazil Team and one of Brazil's professional teams Vasco Da Gama. During his free time, he likes to play drums and watch Indy Car races. As a progressive rock fan, David likes Marillion (his favorite band), Porcupine Tree, Transatlantic and Rush. David also takes advantage of his built-in babysitters to enjoy night outs with his wife. This is David's 2nd year as head coach and his 3rd with the team.
Carolyn Cuany:
Maite Ghazaleh:Maite Ghazaleh is an Academy of Information Technology student at Apex High and will be entering her junior year as a member of the National Honors Society. She is the oldest of five children in the Ghazaleh family. Maite has been involved in various clubs and camps for children. She has received counselor training during the summer since 2006, as a part of the Camp Kittimaquundi staff in Maryland. Maite swam as a child in Brazil and has been swimming with the CV Crocs since their first season. Other than swimming, she likes to run and workout. In her free time, Maite takes pleasure in spending time with her family, hanging out with friends, and going to the movies. Maite’s current favorite movies include The Lake House, Earth, Pride and Prejudice, and Eagle Eye. She also enjoys watching documentaries. Maite loves to ride rollercoasters. During the summer she enjoys going to the beach. She collects key chains of places she has visited and jewelry from Brazil. In the future, Maite plans to stick close to home and attend one of the North Carolina colleges, such as Duke University or UNC Wilmington.
Thomas Schmedding: Thomas has been swimming year-round for 6 years. Three of those years have been with Raleigh Swimming Association (RSA), and the most recent three years have been with the Y of the Triangle Area (YOTA). Thomas has also enjoyed success in his 7 years of summer-league expierence for the Triangle Tritons, Apex Breakers, and Charleston Village Crocodiles. He has lived in Charleston Village for 8 1/2 years and has enjoyed every bit of it. Other than swimming, you can see Thomas playing football or basketball with his friends, or playing video games. He also likes to cheer on his favorite sports teams, the Carolina Hurricanes, and Virginia Tech Hokies. He enjoys all types of music but especially The Von Bondies, 3oh!3, and Audioslave. This is his 1st year coaching and he has been with the team since the start.