SET Coaches & Staff
Bradley Schumacher
SET Director
2-Time Olympic Swimming Gold Medalist
2-Time World Champion
Position: Defender
College: University of the Pacific
High School: Bowie High School
Bradley Schumacher has established himself as one of the all-time greats in aquatic sports, earning two gold medals in the 1996 Olympic Games and representing the United States in water polo at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He is the only aquatics athlete to become a World Champion in swimming and water polo. Bradley joins an elite group of aquatics stars that competed in both sports on the world-class level: Duke Kahanamoku, Johnny Weissmuller, Bob Hughes, and Matt Biondi. Bradley's dedication to instilling his unparalleled knowledge of the sport in the athletes under his tutelage is unwavering as he governs them to compete at the next level.
He began his coaching career at the University of the Pacific, acting as an Interim coach while finishing his MBA. He brings 20+ years of coaching experience, from refining techniques in swimming and the development of fundamentals of water polo to high-level tactical development.
Justin Johnson
Technical Director
18U Boys Head Coach
Position: Defender
College: UCLA
High School: Mission Viejo High School
After a lengthy international career, Justin Johnson joins the coaching staff where he played professionally in Spain for Real Canoe, Brazil for Botafogo, and Australia for the Hunter Hurricanes. Justin was also a member of the 2009 FINA World Championship and the 2009 World League teams. Before his professional career, Justin was a 2-time All-American at UCLA. Both nationally and internationally, Justin's breadth of knowledge brings an invaluable perspective to the game that is evident in his coaching and the play of his athletes.
Claire Sonne
Technical Director
18U Girls Head Coach
Position: Driver
College: Cal
High School: Laguna Beach High School
Claire Sonne is the head coach of the Laguna Beach HS Girls Water Polo team, the head coach of the SET WPC 18U Girls, and the Girl's Technical Director at SET. Before holding these positions, Sonne was the assistant coach of the Division 1 women's water polo team at California State University, Northridge. And before that, Sonne was an assistant coach at Laguna Beach HS and SET WPC. Sonne was an All-American water polo player at UC Berkeley after graduating from Laguna Beach HS as a co-captain and CIF Champion.
Katie Teets
High School Girls Coach
College: University of Hawai'i
Hometown: Murrieta
OJ Vasquez
Age Group Boys Head Coach
Position: Attacker
College: Orange Coast College
High School: Katella High School
Nick Farrell
Age Group Boys Coach
Position: Attacker
High School: Capo Valley High School.jpg)
Allie Gaetano
Age Group Girls Coach
Position: Attacker
College: Concordia University Irvine
High School: El Toro High School
Austin Hoff
High School Boys Coach
Position: Attacker
College: Penn State
High School: El Toro High School
Sam Gallo
High School Boys Coach
Position: Attacker
High School: El Toro High School
Ally Beck, MCAA
Club Operations
Position: Center
College: University of Maryland, College Park
High School: Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Allison (Ally) Beck is a graduate of Santa Margarita Catholic High School ('07) and the University of Maryland, College Park ('11), and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Family Science. While at Maryland, Beck was a key player on the university's division 1 water polo team. Beck was selected to the CWPA Southern Division second team and named the tournament MVP of the ECAC Championship in 2011. She finished her career ranked fifth on the Maryland career points list (176), sixth in career goals (125), sixth in assists (51), and third in shooting percentage (.388). Beck has been coaching for SET Water Polo Club since 2012. She also was the head coach at Trabuco Hills High School from 2012 to 2015, making three consecutive CIF appearances. Ally is currently coaching at Laguna Beach High School and completing a Master's Degree at Concordia University Irvine.
Ethan Damato
Technical Consultant
Position: Driver
College: Cuesta College
High School: Laguna Beach High School
Ethan Damato began his water polo career at Laguna Beach High School, a two-time All CIF Player, in 1999 & 2000. After graduating, Damato played for two years at Cuesta College, a two-time All-Conference player. Damato became the Head Coach of Laguna Beach High School's Boys & Girls Water Polo Teams in 2008. Since taking over, the Breakers have made six consecutive CIF Semi-Final Appearances, winning CIF Championships in 2008 with the girls and in 2010 & 2011 with the boy's team. Damato was named the CIF Coach of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011. In addition, he was named OC Register Coach of the Year in 2009 & 2010. Damato joined the SET coaching Staff in 2010; he is currently the Head Coach of the 18U Girls and the Club's Technical Director. Along with coaching at LBHS & SET, Damato is the 12th Grade Girls Olympic Development Program Head Coach for the SOPAC Zone and the Women's Youth National Team assistant coach.