Coach
I am Coach Marianne Countryman and I have worked with the City of Atlanta Dolphins Swim Team in the Aquatics Department since 2012. I am a USA certified Swim Coach, Level II US Master’s Swim Coach, Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard certified.
My love of swimming began as an age group swimmer where I competed from age 9-14 for YMCA and AAU clubs. I qualified for my first National Level Meet at age 12 in the 200 Butterfly. 32 years later, I decided to go back to swimming and am now an accomplished competitive Master’s swimmer competing from the local level to the international stage. I compete in both pool and open water events.
Since my journey began in 2011, I have ranked each year in the Master’s World Top Ten in multiple events including the 1500, 800, 400 Meter Free and the 200 Butterfly. Each year I have had multiple US Top Ten Rankings in both short and long course in and I currently hold several Zone Records in the 400 IM and the 200 FLY as well as numerous Georgia State records in Freestyle, Butterfly and Individual Medleys in all courses. I have earned All- American status 2 years and in 2014 earned the Triple All-American status, which is a #1 US ranking in an individual event, 1st place finish in a USMS Open Water Championship race, and a US #1 Ranking in a relay.
I have coached our CAD 12&Under swimmers to 25 Top Ten GA State Championship finishes including 1 State Champion, more than 30 “A” swimmers, many of whom went on to achieve “AA” and 8 with “AAA” times before the age of 13. I have also coached 10+ swimmers under the age of 12 who achieved age group sectional qualifying times.
I earned an Associates Degree in Radiation Therapy Technology in 1991 and worked in the Metro-Atlanta area for more than 20 years in this field serving cancer patients and their families. I have since retired from the medical field and am now pursing my coaching and swimming endeavors.
I reside in Smyrna with my husband Thomas of more than 30 years, and my dog, Lacy.