Building Champions,
One Stroke at a Time.
Where Olympic dreams meet world-class coaching.
To develop elite swimmers and exceptional people through world-class coaching, cutting-edge training, and an unwavering commitment to excellence—creating pathways from learn-to-swim to Olympic podiums.
Our Story
A Legacy of Excellence
Wolfpack Elite was founded in 2015 as a premier high-performance hub designed to support post-graduate athletes training for the world stage. By providing a world-class environment right here in Raleigh, the program immediately proved its impact qualifying 4 swimmers for the 2016 Rio Olympics. One of those qualifiers, American Ryan Held, earned a gold medal at the 2016 Games.
What began as an elite training home for top-tier talent quickly gained momentum. By 2019, elite post-grads from other premier university programs across the country joined the group, cementing Wolfpack Elite as a highly sought-after destination for domestic and international competitive training. Our athletes went on to represent their countries at the highest levels, including competing in the International Swimming League (ISL) in 2020.
In 2021, we expanded our vision to make a deeper local impact, transitioning into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We began sharing our elite training principles with the community through specialized clinics and private lessons. That same year, we initiated our first collaborative discussions with the City of Raleigh to lay the groundwork for long-term community water facilities—a vision that culminated in our landmark 2024 facility partnership announcement.
Today, we bridge the gap between elite athletic achievement and community enrichment, proving that the same dedication required to reach an Olympic podium can inspire and safeguard the next generation of swimmers.
Why "Wolfpack Elite"?
The wolf is loyal, strategic, and thrives in a pack. Individual wolves are formidable; a pack is unstoppable.
"Elite" represents our commitment to the highest standards—in training, in competition, and in character. Together, we're a community of champions.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
Innovation
We blend time-tested training principles with cutting-edge sports science. Tradition informs us, but innovation propels us forward.
Excellence
We pursue the highest standards in everything we do—from stroke technique to character development. Excellence is not a destination but a daily commitment.
Integrity
We compete with honor, train with honesty, and lead with transparency. Our word is our bond, and our actions reflect our values.
Community
Swimming is an individual sport practiced within a team. We celebrate each other's victories, support through challenges, and grow stronger together.
Growth Mindset
Failure is feedback. Plateaus are temporary. Potential is unlimited. We embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and improve.
Inclusion
Swimming is for everyone. We welcome athletes of all backgrounds, abilities, and aspirations. Diversity makes us stronger and more innovative.
These aren't just words on a wall. Every decision our coaches make, every program we design, and every interaction we have with our athletes and families is filtered through these values. They are the compass that guides Wolfpack Elite forward.
Our Journey
Milestones That Made Us
The Foundation
Wolfpack Elite is founded as a premier high-performance training hub in Raleigh, designed to support elite post-graduate swimmers aiming for the world stage.
Established & Olympic Bound
The program immediately proves its caliber sending 4 athletes to the Rio Olympics with American Ryan Held earning a gold medal.
National & International Expansion
Elite post-graduate athletes from top universities across the country join the program, cementing Wolfpack Elite as a premier destination for domestic and international competitive training.
The Global Stage
Wolfpack Elite athletes represent the club on the global professional circuit, competing in the International Swimming League (ISL).
Our Nonprofit Transition
To make a deeper local impact, the program transitions into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We expand our reach to the local community, launching specialized swim clinics and private lessons.
The Partnership Begins
We initiate our first collaborative discussions with the City of Raleigh to lay the groundwork for the Lake Johnson Pool partnership—establishing the cornerstone for our future facility campaigns.
Paris Olympic Glory
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Katharine Berkoff makes history as NC State's first female swimmer to win an Olympic medal. She captures an Olympic Bronze Medal in the 100m backstroke, followed by a Gold Medal in the 4x100m medley relay.
Lake Johnson Approved
Years of planning and community advocacy culminate in the official, unanimously approved facility partnership with the City of Raleigh. This milestone secures an agreement to replace the 40-year-old seasonal pool with a world-class, year-round training and community facility.
Construction Begins
This is the year our dream becomes a physical reality, as our state-of-the-art Myrtha pool has officially arrived from Italy and is waiting on-site. Once the current seasonal pool closes at the end of the summer, we officially break ground and begin building the new facility.
Leadership
Meet Our Board of Directors
At the core of Wolfpack Elite is a dedicated leadership team bringing together specialized expertise in athletics, business development, and community growth. As stewards of our mission, our board provides the agile governance and strategic vision necessary to drive our program forward. Working closely with our coaching staff, they ensure every decision we make supports the long-term success, character, and athletic development of our players.
Mary Holloway
President
Mary Holloway is the owner and operator of RedWhite Swim Camps, which hosts overnight swimming camps each summer on the campus of NC State University. A 2002 NC State graduate, she earned a degree in Electrical Engineering and served as captain of the women’s swimming and diving team. After 14 years as a software project manager, Mary shifted her focus to the summer camp business and remains active in the sport as a USA Swimming official. She is married to Braden Holloway, head coach of NC State Swimming and Diving.
Tim Haley
Treasurer
Tim Haley is an Indianapolis-area attorney who has represented Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and privately held businesses ranging from multinational corporations to family-owned enterprises. He swam at NC State from 1998 to 2002 before earning his Juris Doctor from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Tim serves as General Chair of Indiana Swimming and recently received the USA Swimming Outstanding Service Award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the sport.
Grant Johnston
Secretary
Grant Johnston, an Atlanta resident and 1994 graduate of NC State, serves as Senior Vice President of Asset Management at National Health Investors. He brings extensive experience in healthcare finance, private equity, restructuring, and asset management. A former captain of the NC State swimming team, Grant remains active in the sport through U.S. Masters Swimming and by leading the alumni group for NC State Swimming and Diving.
Our Impact
By the Numbers
Our Vision for the Future
We're not just building swimmers—we're building the future of competitive swimming in North Carolina and beyond. With our new Lake Johnson facility breaking ground in 2026, we'll have the infrastructure to serve more athletes and provide year-round outdoor training that rivals any program in the country.
Olympic-Caliber Excellence
Provide club swimmers, collegiate athletes, and elite post-grads, with the proven training, resources, and environment required to win medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships.
Next-Gen Training Facilities
Build and operate a premier, year-round outdoor high-performance center at Lake Johnson, featuring North Carolina’s first state-of-the-art Myrtha training pool.
Grassroots to Gold
Bridge the gap between elite athletics and local youth by utilizing our world-class swimmers to teach private lessons and expand community swim programs.