Clark University Women's Softball

Barton is set to open her head coaching career in 2025 with the scarlet and white.  Most recently, Barton served as a Graduate Assistant Coach at Smith College in Northampton, MA, where she played a pivotal role in elevating the softball program for the past two years. Barton's dedication to recruiting academically driven student-athletes and fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion contributed to the team's success both on and off the field. While at Smith, Barton coached a NEWMAC Player of the Year, four NEWMAC All-Conference Athletes, two NFCA All-Region Athletes, and a NFCA Top 10 Team in GPA. Barton also planned prospect camps, campus visits, fundraising efforts, social media content creation, and campus visits. In addition to her coaching achievements, Barton holds a Master of Science in Exercise Science & Sport Studies from Smith College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wheaton College. As a former standout athlete herself, she earned recognition on the NEWMAC All-Conference Team and served as a team captain during her collegiate career.

Daley comes from a family of swimmers and began swimming at the age of 6 for her local recreational swim team: Glastonbury Swim Team (Glastonbury, CT). Daley made her mark by not only competing, but also coaching (2014-2021) for her local recreational and USS teams throughout her high school (Glastonbury High School) and collegiate swimming careers. O’Keefe went on to study and swim for Mount Saint Mary College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology (’21) and a master’s degree in education (’21). Daley swam throughout her tenure at Mount Saint Mary. Daley was awarded the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week award as a first year on the team, and during her final year was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the first and only National Honor Society for Student-Athletes. In 2021, O’ Keefe matriculated into Clark University’s Doctorate program in Biology and is currently a Ph.D. candidate studying invasive species through the Mathis Lab. In her free time Daley enjoys hiking, weightlifting, baking, and spending time with her many animal friends.  

Brandon first dove into the world of competitive swimming during his freshman year of high school in Honeoye Falls, NY. Brandon went on to study and swim for Clark University (’20) where he studied environmental science. Throughout his four years at Clark, he specialized in breaststroke and sprint free, was recognized with the “Team Award” as a sophomore and elected captain of the men’s team for his senior year. Since graduating, Brandon has worked at a clinical genetics’ lab outside of Boston (Eurofins Clinical Enterprise) as head of pre-analytics and procurement. Outside of work, Brandon continues to stay active through running and hiking, and enjoys reading and cooking.  

Alex began swimming at age 13 for the Windsor Public High School Swim Team (Windsor, CT). Alex went on to study Psychology (’14) and swim for Clark University (Worcester, MA), where he completed his tenure as a 4-year varsity athlete.  He was named most improved swimmer as a Junior and elected co-captain as a senior. During this time Alex also worked as Head Coach for the Windsor Water Rats Express (WWRX) 8 & Under swim team (2010-2012). Santos remained at Clark for a 5th year to earn his master’s degree in public administration (’15), and worked as an assistant coach for the varsity men’s & women’s swim teams for the 2014-2015 season where he also developed a comprehensive strength training program for team. After completing a post-baccalaureate pre-med program, he pursued his master’s degree in medicinal chemistry (’19) at the Universidade de Coimbra (Coimbra, Portugal), where he specialized in cell biology and neuroendocrinology. Since graduating, Alex has worked as a cell & gene therapy scientist in the greater Boston area at companies like Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Be Biopharma, and Bluebird Bio. Santos is also an age group coach for Commonwealth Swimming (2022-Present) and master’s coach for Liquid Assets New England Swimming (LANES), Boston’s LGBTQIA+ master’s swim team. In his free time, Coach Alex likes to read, make block prints, and hang out with his feline familiar, Felix.  

John began swimming at the age of 6, training with his local club team (Elko Swim Team) and competing through high school (Elko, NV). John went on to earn his undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering (‘23) at the University of Nevada (Reno, NV), where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and returned home every summer to coach his local team. Over this time, Watson realized his academic ambitions and found a passion for coaching youth swim programs and mentoring developing student-athletes. In his most recent role as Head Coach of Elko Swim Team, John led his swimmers to remarkable success, culminating in an award for the highest percentage of time improved at the (Snake River Swimming 2024 LCM Summer Championship). In Fall 2024, Coach John matriculated into Clark University’s master’s program in computer science where he will specialize in data intelligence. Outside of coaching and academics, Watson enjoys exploring the Sierra Nevada mountains, hiking, skiing, and embracing the thrill of body surfing along the coast.  

Kelly Tonole begins her eighth season working with Clark University divers. She brings over 25 years of experience coaching diving, and previously coached gymnastics for 10 years. Kelly has trained numerous divers who have competed at regional and national championship levels, among them being Massachusetts state champions, AAU All-Americans, and NISCA All-Americans. Previously, Tonole contributed to the diving programs at NEWMAC competitors, Babson and Wellesley. As a professional, Kelly volunteered at the 1995 FINA World Cup and the 1996 Olympic Games, and currently serves as the USA Diving Regional President. Kelly’s son, Sam, graduated from Fairfield University (’23) after a successful D1 diving career. Coach Tonole’s daughter, Jessie, is a Senior diving for Boston College and her daughter Lily is a Sophomore diving for Fairfield University. Kelly currently resides in Lunenburg, MA with her husband Rick their dog Bean.