Small Team
Jim Skirboll
Racer X Aquatics
Allegheny Mountain Swimming
Allegheny Mountain Swimming
FITTER & FASTER + ASCA
AGE GROUP COACH OF THE YEAR
Celebrating the coaches who help shape the journey, strengthen
the sport, and help young swimmers
believe in what they can become.
Great age group coaches do far more than develop faster swimmers. They build confidence, teach lifelong lessons, create environments where young athletes can grow, and help shape a swimmer's relationship with the sport.
2026 ASCA AGE GROUP COACHES OF THE YEAR
Celebrating the coaches who help shape the journey
Four team sizes. Four outstanding coaches. One shared impact on the future of swimming.
The 2026 Age Group Coach of the Year honorees celebrated at the ASCA World Clinic.
2026 Age Group Coach of the Year Award Winners
Medium Team
Cristian Davalos
Stamford Sailfish Aquatic Club
Connecticut Swimming
Connecticut Swimming
Large Team
Brian Pajer
Aquazot Swim Club
Southern California Swimming
Southern California Swimming
Extra-Large Team
David Schreck
NOVA of Virginia Aquatics
Virginia Swimming
Virginia Swimming
EVERY SWIMMER HAS A STORY THAT BEGINS WITH A COACH.
These awards recognize incredible results, but the impact of an age group coach reaches far beyond the clock. It lives in the early mornings, the encouragement after a difficult race, the small breakthroughs that become big ones, and the moment a swimmer begins to believe in what they can do.
2026 ASCA WORLD CLINIC
Recognizing the people behind the progress
The Age Group Coach of the Year Awards bring the swimming community together to recognize coaches whose leadership, consistency, and daily work help athletes and programs move forward.
AWARD HISTORY
2025 Age Group Coaches of the Year
In 2025, three outstanding coaches were recognized across the Small, Medium, and Large Team divisions.
2025 Winner
Connie Wu
Stamford Sailfish Aquatic Club
Connecticut Swimming
2025 Winner
Brian Pajer
Aquazot Swim Club
Southern California Swimming
2025 Winner
Peter O'Donnell
Long Island Aquatic Club
Metro Swimming
A DECADE OF RECOGNITION
Past Age Group Coaches of the Year
Since Fitter & Faster became the title sponsor of the national Age Group Coach of the Year program in 2014, the award has celebrated coaches whose work has made an extraordinary impact on age group swimmers and programs across the country.
2014
Beth Winkowski
Dynamo Swim Club
2015
Tom Himes
North Baltimore Aquatic Club
2016
Sherwood Watts
Sarasota Sharks
2017
Rob Norman
Triangle Aquatic Club
2018
Rob Hansen
Irvine Novaquatics
2019
Megan Oesting
2021
Colin Kennedy
Cypress Fairbanks Swim Club
2023
Rod Hansen
Irvine Novaquatics
2024
Rod Hansen
Irvine Novaquatics
The beginning of the Fitter & Faster era
Fitter & Faster became the title sponsor of the Age Group Coach of the Year program in 2014, helping expand national recognition for the coaches whose work develops young swimmers and strengthens the sport.
ABOUT THE AWARD
Behind every accomplished swimmer are coaches who helped build the foundation.
Age group coaches work with athletes during some of the most formative years of their swimming careers. They teach technique, racing skills, consistency, and preparation, but their influence extends far beyond performance.
Coaches help swimmers navigate challenges, learn how to respond after difficult races, develop confidence, become better teammates, and discover what they are capable of accomplishing.
The Fitter & Faster + ASCA Age Group Coach of the Year Award recognizes outstanding age group coaches and celebrates the people whose everyday work strengthens swimmers, teams, and the sport.
MORE THAN TIMES ON A SCOREBOARD
The impact reaches far beyond the pool
The strongest age group programs help swimmers improve while developing confidence, habits, relationships, and a love for the sport that can stay with them for years.
01
Building Confidence
Coaches help young swimmers recognize progress, respond to challenges, and begin believing in what they can accomplish.
02
Developing Athletes
From technical details to racing skills and daily habits, great coaching gives swimmers a foundation they can continue building on.
03
Strengthening the Sport
Positive age group experiences help swimmers stay connected to their teams, their goals, and a sport that can remain part of their lives long after a particular season ends.
THANK YOU, COACHES
To every finalist, honoree, and age group coach: thank you.
Thank you for noticing the small breakthroughs, finding the right words after hard races, showing up day after day, and helping young swimmers grow into more confident athletes and people.
Your work helps shape the future of swimming.
