Victoria Novinsky
Victoria Novinsky
Elite Clinician
Victoria Novinskiy
NCAA Qualifier | 5x Conference Champion | Mid-Major Standout
Base: Newark, Delaware (University of Delaware)
Club Roots: New England (Trained under Brian Crawford)
Career Highlights
NCAA Division I Standout: University of Delaware
- 2026 NCAA Championships Qualifier in the 100 Butterfly, 200 Butterfly, and 200 IM
- Ranked 19th in the NCAA in the 200-yard Butterfly in 2026
- Secured an automatic NCAA bid as a mid-major athlete by ranking in the top 40 nationally and utilizing the conference champion rule
Massive Career Time Drops
- 200-yard Butterfly: 2:03.0 down to 1:54.0
- 100-yard Butterfly: 56.0 down to 51.0, including a 51.02 relay split
- 200-yard IM: 2:04.0 down to 1:56.0
Conference Dominance
- 3x ASUN Gold Medalist (2026)
- 2x CAA Gold Medalist in the 200 Butterfly
Coaching Experience
Age-group and developmental coach for Blue Hen Aquatics (BHA) alongside Mattvei Namakonov.
Bio
Victoria Novinskiy is a recently retired Division I standout for the University of Delaware and the author of one of the most inspiring “underdog” stories in recent collegiate swimming. Battling a grueling two-year plateau in high school, Victoria faced heavy doubt from peers who told her she had “peaked at 14.” Instead of stepping away, she used that adversity as fuel. Under the guidance of University of Delaware head coach Pablo Marmolejo, Victoria transformed into an elite butterfly and individual medley specialist, executing some of the most impressive time drops in the NCAA, including shaving an incredible nine seconds off her 200-yard butterfly to reach 1:54.0.
Her relentless grit propelled her to five conference championships across the ASUN and CAA, ultimately earning her a coveted automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Championships as a top-20 nationally ranked mid-major athlete. Having also spent time coaching for Blue Hen Aquatics, Victoria possesses a natural gift for instruction. She understands firsthand the frustration of being a “slow learner” and uses her profound empathy to ensure no athlete is left behind. Victoria brings an empowering mentality, an elite grasp of underwater mechanics, and a masterclass in butterfly chest pressing to the pool deck.
From the Clinician
The Ultimate Underdog Story
I went through a grueling two-year rut during high school. I had peers in New England telling me I peaked at 14, making fun of my college choices, and essentially telling me I wasn’t good enough. I even had a college program tell me I wasn’t smart or fast enough for them to waste resources on. But I am stubborn. I found my passion again, and with the unwavering support of my mom, my teammates, and Coach Pablo at the University of Delaware, everything changed. I went from being told I was nothing to dropping nine seconds in my 200 butterfly and qualifying for NCAAs. Although I may not be an Olympic Gold Medalist, I am living proof that if you are stubborn, believe in yourself, and refuse to give up, you can climb out of any hole and prove the doubters wrong.
Leaving No Swimmer Behind
Having coached kids prior to Fitter & Faster, I know what works for a group and how to accommodate athletes who might need a tweaked approach. Personally, I am someone who learns slowly. I know exactly what it feels like to be left behind and frustrated when everyone else around me seems to grasp a concept instantly while I am still struggling. Because of that, I make absolutely sure to listen to feedback and ensure every single swimmer understands the concept being taught. My goal is to be the person who opens their eyes to their true potential, especially for the “underdogs.”
Finding Your Superpower
No athlete is superhuman; you are just as capable as the person standing in the lane next to you. Your true “superpower” is discovering what your unique skills are and tuning them into weapons. For me, outside of grit and perseverance, it was Coach Pablo noticing how well I pressed my chest in butterfly and my underwater dolphin kicks. Improving those specific underwaters is what took me from good to great. We also worked heavily on weight room strength to support my flexibility. I want to help young swimmers find their specific superpowers and use them to their absolute advantage.
The Resume of Resilience
Never give up on a dream, no matter how hard it gets or how doubtful the people around you may be. Because of swimming, I didn’t just learn how to work hard; I earned a resume of achievements that proves I will stop at nothing to reach my goals. Swimming taught me resilience. It taught me how to persevere when the hits keep coming and there is no clear end in sight. If you have a goal and at least one person in your corner, you can do anything you set your mind to.
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