Coach Miguel Castillo brings over two decades of experience and a lifelong love of swimming to Star Aquatics. He has been recognized as New Mexico High School Coach of the Year (2022) and New Mexico Age Group Coach of the Year (2015), and has coached multiple Western Zone All-Star Teams. Over his career, Miguel has developed swimmers who have competed at Sectionals, Junior Nationals, and the Western Zones, where he has guided more than a dozen athletes to success. A former competitive swimmer and USA Masters qualifier, Miguel is passionate about helping athletes build skill, confidence, and joy, both in and out of the pool.

Star Aquatics is a deliberate creation, built by Miguel and his wife Audrey, as a true family endeavor. Miguel credits his mother, Nina, as the inspiration behind his love of the water. She first swam with him as an infant and often shared that she wished she could have been on a swim team, though opportunities for girls didn’t exist when she was young. Her example continues to inspire Miguel’s commitment to creating a team where every swimmer feels welcome, supported, and capable of achieving their best.

“Train hard, smile often, and swim with heart.”

Coach Jenina Castillo has been swimming all her life and brings a unique blend of athleticism, creativity, and connection to the pool deck. With an extensive background in competitive dance, she understands the focus, discipline, and body awareness it takes to master technique, skills she now passes on to her swimmers.

Jenina provides private lessons and coaches at practices and meets, where her natural connection with kids helps swimmers feel comfortable, confident, and excited to learn. Her energy and patience make every practice fun and full of smiles. When she’s not at the pool, Jenina enjoys snowboarding and once competed in several snowboard events with hopes of making the USA Team. As a child, she was fearless—jumping off the high board at age four at the NMSU pool in Las Cruces—and she brings that same sense of adventure to her coaching today.

“Discipline builds strength, but joy keeps you coming back.”

Coach Miriam has been swimming since she was eight years old and brings a lifelong love of the water to her coaching. After graduating from New Mexico State University, she returned home to Santa Fe and joined Star Aquatics to help develop and inspire the team’s youngest swimmers.

Miriam’s journey with Coach Miguel began when she first entered competitive swimming at age eight, and her early passion for the sport continues to shine through in every practice. She’s known for her patience, positivity, and ability to help young swimmers feel confident and comfortable in the water.

“Start with courage, keep it fun, and fall in love with the water.”

Audrey and Miguel entered the world of competitive swimming in 2009, when their children were in elementary school. Now, with their kids grown, they get to experience the joy of swimming all over again, this time through the eyes of their grandchildren.

Audrey supports Star Aquatics on the dry side, ensuring Coach Miguel and the team of coaches can focus on what happens in the pool. She is the owner of Momentum Santa Fe, where she helps organizations get unstuck and find motivation through innovative problem-solving. Audrey is also the creator of TheLoveOfYourLife.org, a self-love platform that helps people reconnect with who they are and what truly inspires them.

“Growth, connection, and joy—it’s what I hope to build in every lane and every life.”

Coach Gabriella Castillo leads our youngest swim programs, helping new swimmers feel confident, safe, and excited in the water. A lifelong swimmer who began competing at age five, Gabriella was an accomplished age-group athlete—qualifying for 11 events at the New Mexico State Championships by age 10. She brings that same enthusiasm and understanding to her coaching, creating an environment filled with patience, encouragement, and fun.

Mentored by some of the best in-water instructors, Gabriella focuses on helping swimmers understand how the water feels, building comfort, body awareness, and efficiency that lay the foundation for future success. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology at the University of New Mexico, where she continues to study human development and motivation, skills that enrich her approach to coaching.

“Confidence begins with comfort in the water—and a smile along the way.”

Coach Deb is an accomplished competitive swimmer who qualified for Sectionals in the 200 IM and brings that same focus and determination to her coaching. Her experience, enthusiasm, and positive energy make her a motivating presence on deck, where she inspires swimmers to give their best effort every day. Active in the Santa Fe community, Deb is known for her encouragement, team spirit, and ability to help swimmers find confidence and joy in the water.

“Great swimmers are built through effort, encouragement, and a love for the sport.”

Coach Sean Muncie brings nearly three decades of experience leading swimmers to success at every level. Before joining Star Aquatics, he served as Head Coach of the Bellingham Bay Swim Team in Washington, where he was named Pacific Northwest Swimming Coach of the Year and developed nationally ranked athletes competing at Sectionals, Junior Nationals, and the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Sean believes that everything is possible when swimmers train with courage, consistency, and joy. His coaching style emphasizes confidence, character, and a genuine love for the sport, qualities he’s excited to share with the Star Aquatics community.

Read more about him here: https://swimswam.com/bbst-head-coach-named-pacific-northwest-swimming-coach-year/

“Everything is possible when you challenge yourself and keep moving forward.”