Laurelwood Dolphins

28th Dolphin Year:  Head Coach Rich Cruzen swam for the Dolphins Swim Team as a child and still holds the men’s 15/18 breaststroke record. He swam for DACA, DeAnza College, and Fresno State. Coach Rich is also the pool manager and coaches the Wilcox High water polo and swim teams. Coach Rich's goal is to teach swimmers to have fun and work towards their personal best through pride, dedication and teamwork.

^13th Dolphin Year: Coach Penny began working with the Dolphins in 2014. Penny teaches environmental science for the city of Palo Alto. Penny was a high school swimmer and coached for many years before moving to California in 2002. Coach Penny’s goal is for each swimmer to have fun, work as a team and try their hardest. 

^11th Dolphin Year: Coach Lorenzo began working with the Dolphins in 2016. Lorenzo teaches third grade at Millikin Elementary School. Lorenzo swam for SCSC, DACA, Santa Clara High School and UC Davis.Lorenzo brings with him his spirit and enthusiasm; his passion for coaching and teaching.

5th Dolphin Year: Coach Rebecca has been coaching the Dolphins since 2022. She currently teaches 5th grade at West Valley Elementary.  She swam for Wilcox High School and independently through her college years. Before becoming a teacher in 2006, she was a swim instructor, lifeguard, and manager at another pool in Sunnyvale for 10 years. Her favorite stroke is butterfly and she loves swimming pull sets because it’s relaxing to get in a rhythm. Coach Rebecca enjoys watching the kids on swim team have fun, grow, become leaders, and help each other get better. It’s also fun to work with the other coaches and learn from them!

1st Dolphin Year: Coach Brett Coach Brett began competitive swimming at age six and continued through his years at Santa Clara High School, where he also played water polo. After graduating from Chico State, he coached competitive swimming with Santa Clara Swim Club for over 10 years, developing swimmers of all levels. In addition to coaching, Coach Brett teaches elementary Physical Education in the Santa Clara Unified School District, bringing his passion for movement and skill development into the classroom each day. After a brief break from club coaching, he is excited to be back on the pool deck at Laurelwood, helping swimmers build strong fundamentals, confidence, and a love for the sport both in and out of the water.