Staff Bios
Meet your inspiration
Getting (and staying) fit takes effort and commitment. But that doesn’t mean it can't be fun. We make sure you have a great time at South Shore, even when you're working hard, so you stay motivated to come back.
Not just anyone can motivate you and your children to live healthier, so we choose our staff carefully. Each strikes that rare balance of being your teacher, mentor, motivator, coach and friend. Come meet us. Be inspired.
LEADERSHIP
General Manager - Sarah Lancaster
General Manager
Lancaster is a graduate of Lake Michigan Catholic High School, St. Joseph, and Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., where she studied Business Administration and History. She played and was the co-captain of the Saint Mary’s tennis team. Today, she continues to play in tennis leagues with SSHRC members.
As General Manager, Lancaster will continue SSHRC’s commitment to promote wellness for all ages by providing unparalleled health programs and facilities. “Our mission is to enhance the members’ quality of life by becoming a part of their lives,” Lancaster said. “Through our quality facilities, programs and instructions we’ll endeavor to provide a variety of activities that strengthen members and our local communities.”
Lancaster, a lifelong resident of Southwest Michigan, is a member of the Business Networking International, Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals and Women’s Service League. You can find Sarah trying out all the different programs that South Shore has to offer, from the swimming pool to the fitness and tennis classes.
You can reach Sarah at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Assistant General Manager - Karen Dudiak
Assistant General Manager
Karen is a “lifer” at South Shore. She came on board as a Front Desk staff member when the club opened in 1976. Transitioning into Management in the 80’s amplified her responsibilities and her interest in making this a career. Karen says “I am proud to be part of what has made us successful over these many years. This includes an ownership that is constantly improving and updating the club complimented by a community that has supported us and made us the premiere health facility in the area.” She adds, “I’ve had the pleasure to know some of our charter members for almost forty years and that makes South Shore more than just a job. It’s been rewarding to me on a personal as well as professional level”. When her car’s not out in the SSHRC lot, she’s most likely enjoying life with family and friends. Although she has lived in Michigan her entire life, she says travel is a priority in leisure time with the Caribbean being a favorite destination. Contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Activities and Programs Director - Priscilla Brinker
Activities and Programs Director
Priscilla originally started her time here as a Tennis Assistant and Camp Counselor. She left for a few years to go to school to earn a degree in Hospitality Management. She will graduate this fall with her degree and has recently stepped into the position of Activities and Programs Director. She has experience in tennis with playing, coaching, and stringing. She coaches Our Lady of the Lake/Bridgman High School Girls tennis team. She enjoys spending her free time playing softball, bowling, and hanging out with family and friends. If you have any questions regarding birthday parties or programs at South Shore please contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling the front desk at (269) 429-2101.
Racquet Sports
Director of Racquet Sports- Adam Huch
Adam is a USPTA Elite Professional who comes to us from The Club at Flying Horse in Colorado Springs, CO. There he was the Head Tennis Professional and Adult Program Coordinator. Prior to that he was the Head Tennis Professional at multiple clubs in Colorado as well as San Diego Hilton Beach and Tennis Resort. Adam is very excited to become a part of the South Shore team!
Director of Racquet Sports
Men's Tennis Coordinator - Dave Zimmermann
Men’s Tennis Coordinator
Dave has been with South Shore since 2007 and continues a 25-year relationship with Palisades Park Country Club as their pro in the summer. He was the JV Boys and Girls tennis coach at L.C. Moore High School in South Haven. He was also the Baseline Middle School coach for 6 years in South Haven where he ran tennis programs for children ages 5 to 10. In addition to teaching lessons and classes, Dave heads up our Men’s Tennis Program and our Team Tennis in the summer. This jokester is great with tennis players of all ages and levels. There is never a dull moment on the court when he is around.
Tennis Professional - Shimwe Sentya
Tennis Professional
Shimwe is a recent graduate of the Ferris State University Professional Tennis Management program in Big Rapids, Michigan. Although she measures at just 5'2.99" don't let that fool you, she works to achieve her goal. At this moment, her goal is to meet and connect with the members and visitors at SSHRC by helping them bring their game to the next level. Shimwe is also a USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) member. If you see Shimwe around the club, stop and say hi!
Head Pickleball Professional - Nate Martin
Head Pickleball Professional
Nate has lived in St. Joseph for 15 years. He and his family came to the area from Lansing, Michigan where in his spare time spent 7 years as a high school and college basketball official. Nate began playing pickleball in 2016, as the sport was just beginning to grow in popularity. His passion for the game led him to complete instructor certification with PPR, and he's also pursuing certification as a pickleball referee. He is looking forward to introducing more people to the sport through clinics, tournaments, and guest clinics from professionals in the area.
Pickleball Professional - Joe Bigley
Pickleball Professional
Joe first played pickleball in 2002, but has been playing regularly since 2017. He loves the sport and has taught a wide range of skill levels and ages (as young as 5 years old). His coaching philosophy is to keep it likable and learnable. When he’s not on the court he enjoys spending time with his wife, two middle school sons and feisty goldendoodle.
Fitness
Personal Trainer - Beau Deja
Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor
Beau graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. He is certified with the American Council on Exercise. In addition to working one-on-one with clients, he teaches Studio Pump, Functional Training, Bells and BOSUs and TRX Boot Camp. He takes a functional approach to fitness, with special focus on core strength and stability. Beau is also a high school track and cross country coach with more than 25 seasons of experience. You can also find Beau at the local running store, Connected Soles, where he is a Managing Partner.
Personal Trainer - Cheryl Zuhl
Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor
Cheryl brings over 30 years of experience to the fitness department. She has a Master’s in Health and Physical Education, and recently retired from Saint Joseph High School where she taught both Heath and Physical Education. Cheryl is certified through the American Council on Exercise. She teaches Circuit Sculpt and PiYo Live as well as works with a number of different clients, too.
Personal Trainer - Edie Daugherty
Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor
Edie is passionate about motivating clients to achieve their goals whether it’s losing unwanted body fat, toning, improving strength, functional movement, athletic sport performance, competing at the next level or improving the quality of living. Edie graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science, minoring in Business and Community Health. She holds nationally accredited certifications with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and Functional Movement Systems. She has an accumulated 20+ coaching seasons in volleyball, basketball and softball. Her specialties include Personal Training, Long Term Athletic Development, Spinning, TRX, FMS, Bootcamp, Tabata, HIIT, Corrective Exercises, Special Populations, Sport Performance/Functional Training, Team Training and Small Group Training. When she’s not at the club you’ll find her training, coaching athletes or watching her own children compete.
Personal Trainer - Noah Tanner
Certified Personal Trainer
Noah is a certified personal trainer with certifications from ACE and also has NESTA certifications in Fitness Nutrition as well as Lifestyle/Weight Management specialist. Noah loves to meet new people and during quarantine he lost 110lbs. He has a following on TikTok of over 35 thousand people that are interested in his fitness journey. Noah is interested in serving South Shore and helping people achieve their fitness goals.
Personal Trainer - Samantha Baird
Personal Trainer
Samantha is your home town local who graduated from Lakeshore High School and played volleyball in their sports program. Samantha went to Lake Michigan College to get her Associates degree while playing college volleyball. After her first two years of college she decided to transfer to Grand Valley State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science. While she was attending GVSU, she worked side by side with the University’s track and field long jump team. Returning back home Samantha continued to follow her desire to stay connected with the volleyball lifestyle and began coaching 8th graders at Watervliet Middle School and on the off season she coaches with Southwest Volleyball during the winter and spring. Samantha is beyond excited to be apart of the South Shore family and can’t wait to continue her experience as a Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor.
Aquatics
Aquatics Director - Meghan Kovalska
Aquatics Director, Swim Instructor
Meghan has been a staff member of the South Shore Aquatic Center since 2003. she started as a deck attendant and shortly after she began instructing swim lessons. Over the years she has helped provide a clean and safe environment for our members. Meghan has since transitioned into the position of Aquatics Director and continues to instruct swim lessons. She is passionate about water safety and enjoys helping people overcome their fear of water. Meghan teaches all ages, skill levels, and swimming strokes. She believes anyone can swim and enjoy the water. Meghan can be heard saying that South Shore is like a home to her. She enjoys the environment that it provides for its members and the culture that is South Shore Health & Racquet Club. In her free time she can be found lost in nature with her husband on hikes, kayaking, fishing, or camping. She also enjoys visiting family and traveling.
Assistant Aquatics Director - Teresa Sieffert
Assistant Aquatics Director
Teresa started her time here at South Shore in 2014 teaching aqua fitness classes. She then began helping out with deck attendant to help fellow employees out. As a deck attendant she began watching swim lessons and then began teaching some herself. In 2017, she was talked into the postition of Assistant Aquatics Director. We call her "The Baby Whisperer" because when there are any issues with a child where they aren't comfortable or when they aren't having a good day, she is the one you can count on to calm them down. In her free time she enjoys doing puzzles, sewing quilts, taking care of her chickens and being outdoors whenever she can.