Meet the Coaches
My journey in the water began at the age of 10 with the Landisville Swim Team, where I swam competitively for eight years in their summer league. As my passion for swimming deepened, I joined the Hempfield High School swim team during my junior and senior years, expanding my commitment to the sport both in and out of school.
At just 14, he started teaching swim lessons at the Landisville pool—a role that would become a lifelong calling. To this day, he continues to teach all ages and skill levels at the Ephrata Rec Center, where I now proudly serve as the Aquatic Coordinator.
My coaching career began at Landisville, where I was the head coach from 1991 to 1999. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with several teams. I was an assistant coach for Skyline Swim Team (2001–2005), assistant coach at Manheim Swim Team (2010–2018), and head coach for the Manheim High School swim team for eight seasons. I also coached with Five Star Swim Club from 2010 to 2016, adding to a career marked by dedication, development, and a true love of the sport.
My coaching philosophy is simple and heartfelt: “If you’ve got an issue, get a tissue.” I believe in fostering a team environment that balances hard work, laughter, and growth—both in and out of the pool.
Outside of the water, I enjoy life with my wife, Jessica—we’ve been married for 12 years. We have two children: our daughter Aubrey (age 22), and our son Gabriel (age 8). Family time is incredibly important to me, especially on our beach trips to the Outer Banks, my favorite vacation spot. When I’m not coaching or teaching, you’ll likely find me detailing my car, experimenting with woodworking in the garage, or sampling cuisine at the latest, local restaurant. One day, I hope to take a dream trip to Ireland with my wife.
Matt Biondi remains my swimming inspiration, and I strive to bring the same passion and perseverance to every swimmer I coach.
Coach Brad’s journey to the pool wasn’t a typical one—it started with a near-drowning experience at age 10 that could have turned him away from the water forever. Instead, it became the turning point in a lifelong relationship with swimming. After his family moved into a home with a pool, Brad was determined to become a stronger swimmer. As an adult, he took swim lessons to refine his skills and soon found his passion in teaching others to be safe and confident in the water.
He became a certified lifeguard and has been teaching swim lessons since 2001.
Brad taught swimming at the Boyertown YMCA for 11 years and has been an instructor at the Ephrata Recreation Center for the past 7 years. He is currently a certified Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and has been coaching competitive swimming for 5 years. His mission is to give others a lifelong skill and, hopefully, a love for the water that will ripple out to future generations.
Brad’s coaching philosophy is simple: swim fast and have fun. He believes joy and passion are essential parts of any good swim program and works hard to ensure swimmers feel encouraged, empowered, and excited to show up and do their best. One of his favorite quotes comes from Walt Disney: “All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
This past winter, Brad helped launch a new opportunity for swimmers to compete at a higher level by swimming as unattached athletes in USA Swimming. It was an exciting first season with great success, and he's thrilled to see how this path continues to grow. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our swimmers and our upcoming season,” Brad says. “The potential is there—we’re just getting started.”
Outside the pool, Brad enjoys life in Wernersville, Berks County, with his wife of 17 years, Abby, and their beloved pet rabbit Arwen—who they jokingly call their only child. When he's not coaching, you'll likely find Brad fishing for trout in local streams, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles, or enjoying pizza and a cold Coca-Cola. He loves traveling, especially to Wildwood, NJ, and treasures memories from visiting the Grand Canyon. Spring is his favorite season, when everything outdoors comes alive.
Brad brings not only experience, but heart, humor, and perspective to the deck—and he’s excited to be part of every swimmer’s journey.
Coach Jason has been immersed in the sport of swimming for nearly his entire life. His journey began at the age of six with the Reading YMCA and the Denver summer swim team, where he quickly developed a deep connection to the water. Like many lifelong swimmers, he experienced a period of burnout, but his love for the sport was reignited in high school when he became a founding member of the Cocalico High School swim team. That experience not only renewed his passion but also shaped him as a teammate and competitor. One of the defining moments of his swimming career came in 2005, when he helped lead a dedicated group of just five swimmers to a second-place finish at the state championship—a remarkable accomplishment that remains a proud memory.
Fueled by that high school experience, he continued his swimming career at Shippensburg University, where he competed throughout all four years. Collegiate swimming further solidified his discipline, deepened his technical knowledge, and strengthened his understanding of the athlete experience from both a physical and mental perspective.
Coach Jason began his coaching career with the East Cocalico summer program, where he spent several seasons learning how to effectively communicate with and motivate young swimmers. His passion for developing athletes soon took him to an assistant role with the Reading YMCA, followed by a return to his roots as an assistant coach for the Cocalico High School swim team. After stepping away from coaching for a brief period, he found his way back to the deck with ACE Swim Club, where his enthusiasm for the sport has only grown stronger. Being part of a team again—helping athletes improve, grow, and enjoy swimming—has reignited his purpose as a coach.
His coaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that great swimmers are not just fast—they are focused, well-rounded, and deeply connected to the process. He emphasizes a balanced approach that includes technical precision, consistent effort, and a genuine enjoyment of the sport. For Coach Jason, success isn’t solely defined by times or medals. It’s about watching swimmers develop confidence, build resilience, and discover a lifelong appreciation for the water. He strives to create an environment where athletes are challenged, supported, and encouraged to celebrate both big victories and small, personal wins.
Outside of the pool, Coach Jason leads a full and vibrant life with his wife Elena and their daughter Arya, who is already showing signs of becoming a future swimmer herself. He still enjoys getting in the water whenever he can, and his other passions include weightlifting, golfing, and spending time outdoors. His favorite way to unwind is by sharing quality time and new experiences with his family. A bit of an adventurer at heart, one of his ultimate bucket list goals is to go diving with great white sharks. He’s also a big fan of a perfectly cooked steak, and when it comes to swimming idols, he’s always admired the talent, versatility, and fearless racing style of Ryan Lochte.
Looking ahead to the season, Coach Jason is focused on building a team culture that values what he calls “Excellence through Precision, Effort, and Passion.” He hopes to guide swimmers to not only reach new personal bests but also to fall in love with the journey itself. Whether an athlete is chasing championships or simply learning the ropes, he believes every swimmer has the potential to grow, thrive, and contribute to something bigger than themselves.
Coach Becky came to competitive swimming a little later than most, but the water has always been her happy place. She grew up spending hours in her grandparents' pool, developing a deep love for swimming long before she ever joined a team. As a teenager, she began swimming competitively and went on to swim for four years at McCaskey High School, followed by a collegiate season at Shippensburg University. Her coaching career began during college, when she led CV’s summer swim team for five seasons. After that, she returned to her roots and spent 10 years coaching the McCaskey High School team. Coaching her alma mater was a special experience, made even more meaningful when she was able to hire her own former coach as her assistant—creating a full-circle moment that remains one of her proudest coaching memories. She stepped away from coaching briefly to start her family but is thrilled to be back on deck. Coach Becky believes that swimming should be fun first—especially for kids.
Her coaching philosophy centers on joy, personal growth, and celebrating progress over perfection. To her, success is measured not by times or trophies, but by confidence gained and friendships formed. She sees every race as a chance for swimmers to challenge themselves and grow.
Outside the pool, Coach Becky teaches third grade at Clay Elementary in Ephrata and is a proud mom to Abby, who swims for ACE, and stepmom to Josh. Her life revolves around kids, whether she’s guiding her students, coaching swimmers, or taking her family on camping trips and state park adventures. Her favorite vacation spot is the Outer Banks, and her favorite color—no contest—is pink. Up next on her bucket list? A Disney cruise with her daughter.
Coach Becky is excited to return to the pool and continue building a positive, family-like atmosphere where swimmers can have fun, build confidence, and grow both in and out of the water.
Coach Matt has been part of the Cocalico swim community for decades. He swam for the East Cocalico Swim Team from age 7 through 18 before continuing his career at Lebanon Valley College. While in high school and college, he served as an assistant coach for East Cocalico and also coached the age group program at LVC. From 2007 to 2017, he was the head coach of the Cocalico High School swim team and returned last season as a volunteer coach. His consistency and enthusiasm have made him a steady presence on the pool deck and a strong supporter of swimmers at every level.
Matt is a retired triathlete and 2x Ironman who now enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Katie, have two boys, Johnny and Luke, who are both members of the team. Together, they share a love of sports and are passionate Philadelphia fans—cheering on the Eagles (GO BIRDS!), Phillies, and Sixers, whether at home or at the game. Matt also takes pride in decorating his house for Christmas and loves family vacations to Hilton Head or exploring national parks in the summer. His favorite swimmer is Jason Lezak, especially remembered for his legendary 400 free relay at the 2008 Olympics.
Coach Matt is excited to continue supporting the team, encouraging every swimmer to work hard, stay consistent, and reach their goals.