Coaches & Directors

Charles Cunningham

Head Coach - ASCA Level 4

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Coach Cunningham joined the Gaucho staff in 1980 and has been involved with swimming at the competitive level for the past thirty years, the last twenty nine with the Gauchos. Coach Cunningham has worked with all levels of competitive swimming within the Gaucho program, from the novice to the national level finalist.

Since Coach Cunningham has been responsible for the National Training Group and Senior Programs, he has coached swimmers to the USA National Team members, Olympic Trials, Senior and Junior National Level as well as top finalists at the National Level and over 25 High School All-Americans.

Coach Cunningham is a past member of the USS Sports Science Committee, USS Senior Swimming,USS Coach Mentor Program and USS Workshop Cadre Program. He has been a speaker at National Coaches Colleges and Clinics, lecturing on program development and energy systems used in swimming. Coach Cunningham is a past member of the Arizona Swimming Technical Planning Committee. Currently on the Arizona Swimming Board of Review.

Coach Cunningham is a professional member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association and American College of Sports Medicine and graduated from ASU with a B.A.S.E in Physical Education.

Buster Thompson

Head Age Group Coach - ASCA Level 3

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Coach Buster Thompson has been with the Arizona Swimming Gauchos since July 2001,  He was the coach of the Westview High School Swim Team, He was the head coach of the Westside Silver Fins from 1999-2001 and is recognized as an American Swimming Coaches Association Level 3 coach.  Coach Thompson began his career after becoming an official while his children were swimmers and started coaching soon after his daughter left to swim in college. 

Kyle White

Age Group I Coach - ASCA Level 1

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Coach Kyle White has been with an Age Group Coach with the Gauchos since August 2008. His time with the Gauchos started on a volunteer basis back in 2006 observing Coach Charlie Cunningham's coaching style. During that time Coach White was coaching a year-round, non-competitive swim team for the City of Surprise . The time spent watching Coach Cunningham was an eye opening experience for Coach White and it has completely changed his coaching style. Coach White is happy to be coaching under Coach Cunningham and Coach Thompson and he is learning more from them each day.