Located in Annandale, Virginia
Registration Inquiries and Billing, Virginia Locations:
Alison Galbraith, Team Administrator
tel: 703-281-1500
email: alison@machineaquatics.com
REGISTRATION FOR 2026-2027 SEASON FOR RETURNING FAMILIES DATES
MAY 18- JUNE 11TH, 2026
NEW FAMILIES REGISTRATION OPENS
FRIDAY, JUNE 12TH, 2026
AUDREY MOORE STAFF
Aaron Durrence - Site Director & National Team Coach
aaron@machineaquatics.com
I’m entering my 8th year with Machine Aquatics and my 2nd year as Site Director at the Audrey Moore location for the 2025–26 season. I currently lead the National and National Prep groups and have had the privilege of coaching athletes who have qualified for and finaled at the U.S. Open, NCSA Junior Nationals, and Sectional Championships.
During my first six seasons with Machine, I served as Audrey Moore’s Head Age Group Coach, where I focused on building a strong foundation for long-term success. I helped guide swimmers to championship and finalist performances at both the NCSA Age Group Championships and the PVS 14&Under Championship meets. In 2025, I was honored to be selected as an assistant coach for the NCSA All-Star team trip to London—an experience that reflected the impact I strive to have on high-level swimmer development.
I grew up swimming for Dynamo Swim Club in Atlanta, Georgia, and continued my career at the University at Buffalo, where I double-majored in Computer Science and Mathematics. While at UB, I was a conference record holder and finished my career ranked in the program’s all-time top 10 in the 100 freestyle.
My coaching philosophy centers around technical precision, accountability, and honesty. I aim to create a training environment that is challenging but intentional—built on consistency, attention to detail, and purposeful effort. I’m a goal-oriented coach who expects athletes to take ownership of their development and be honest with themselves about the work they’re putting in. I believe real progress is made in the day-to-day, not just on race day.
I also place a strong emphasis on team culture—rooted in consistent attendance and peer accountability. I want swimmers to support and challenge one another, raise the collective standard, and take pride in pushing the group forward. My goal is to prepare athletes not just to compete, but to help them develop values that will carry them forward in the next stage of life, both in and out of the pool.
Meg Schappert - Age Group Director
meghans@machineaquatics.com
Hi! I’m Meg Schappert, and I’ve been coaching swimming for over 15 years, including the last 10 with Machine. I work with swimmers ages 8–18 and love helping them grow in and out of the water. My background includes coaching with USA Swimming and FINA, swimming Masters and Open Water, and even doing sprint triathlons and outrigger canoe paddling in Hawaii and Guam—so I pretty much love anything water-related! I focus on teaching strong technique and helping swimmers understand the “why” behind what they’re doing. It’s so rewarding to watch them experiment, learn, and develop their own racing strategies as they grow. My coaching philosophy is all about building a solid foundation and having fun while pushing to be your best. I studied journalism at the University of Missouri, but my heart has always been in the pool. I love all sports, and I believe competition teaches us so much—perseverance, strength, teamwork, and how to be a great friend and teammate. I’m excited to share that passion and help our swimmers not just become better athletes, but stronger, more confident people.
James Walsh - Age Group Coach Coach
james@machineaquatics.com
I joined Machine Aquatics in 2024 as a new coach with big dreams and aspirations to help swimmers of all ages reach their potential. Despite my lack of a competitive swim background, I came onto the team with more than a decade of experience as a swim instructor, where I taught all types of swim safety and stroke techniques since I was in high school. My coaching philosophy revolves around my "three pillars of improvement." The first pillar emphasizes the importance of repetition, especially in one's technique and tempo. The second pillar is more philosophical in nature, ensuring each swimmer understands the “why” behind everything we do, rather than just the “how.” The third pillar is mental, helping each swimmer believe in themselves, overcome their hurdles, and finding the necessary skills to build and foster a deeper connection to the sport.
These fundamental core values have carried over across every kiddo I've worked with, seeing their swimming improve and their smiles grow bigger every time they achieve a personal goal. Alongside Machine, I currently am the Head Coach for the Burke Centre Stingers in the Colonial Swim League. I was scouted from my time with Machine to join, where I first joined as an Assistant Head before earning my spot as the Head Coach in the summer of 2025. Since then, the results speak for themselves. Record numbers in meet participation, attendance, team size, season performances, and All-Star qualifiers highlight my tenure over the last two years with the team. My approach and philosophy has also resonated with the kiddos on the team, where many have made new chapters in their life in swimming, including with Machine Aquatics!
Outside of coaching, I earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in History and Film/Game Design from the University of Utah, and I hold a Master’s degree in Digital Public History from George Mason University. My educational background allows me to communicate complex concepts with clarity and purpose. These factors also play into how passionate I am about continuous learning and community involvement, both in and out of the pool. I also enjoy hiking, swimming, visiting museums and theaters, socializing, spending time with friends and family, and being a key player and organizer in the DMV and East Coast futsal scene.
