Our Coaching Staff
HEAD COACH: Eddie Howaniec
My name is Eddie Howaniec, and I am excited to step in as POSA’s new head coach. I’ve been in the water my entire life and swam competitively since I was 8, which included swimming as a POSA Eagle. At Sandburg High School, I was a four-year varsity swimmer and state-qualifier, which taught me discipline, teamwork, and the value of pushing through challenges. After high school, I went on to play collegiate water polo at Iona University, where I continued to develop both as an athlete and a leader.
I’m looking forward to bringing that experience to this program and helping each of you grow not only as swimmers but also as teammates and individuals. My goal is to build a culture of hard work, positivity, and accountability, while making sure we enjoy the season together.
I can’t wait to get started and see what we can accomplish this season!
ASSISTANT COACH: Kathryn Garcia
Hi! I'm Kathryn Garcia and am so excited to join the POSA eagles as an assistant coach. I have been in the water since age 6 and swam competitively in high school in central New York. I was a 4 time state finalist in the 100 breaststroke, national and junior national qualifier, and a part of the state champion 200 medley relay team. I continued on to compete in college at Vanderbilt University where I swam for four years. Swimming has taught me so much about perseverance, dedication, and being disciplined in the face of challenges. I’m excited to help coach this group of swimmers in working towards their goals and building resilience both in and out of the pool.
ASSISTANT COACH: Micaiah Klimek
My name is Micaiah Klimek, and I’m so happy to be joining POSA as an assistant coach. Swimming for POSA as a kid for 5 years taught me so many valuable lessons and values as a person, such as dedication, teamwork, perseverance, resilience, confidence, and commitment, and I can’t wait to pass these lessons down to the team. I also swam on varsity at Lockport High School for 2 years, and I’m so excited to be given the opportunity to use my experience to help the swimmers grow into whatever they strive to be, while creating an environment where they are pushed to accomplish their goals, surrounded by an uplifting community of swimmers, and where their voices feel heard and considered. I’m so excited to see what POSA grows into, as well as to witness every golden moment of accomplishment from the swimmers this season.
ASSISTANT COACH: Joseph Swais
My name is Joseph, and I’m so excited to be continuing my journey with POSA as an assistant coach. I’ve been part of POSA for the past few years, both as a swimmer and a member of this community, and it has shaped me in many ways teaching me dedication, teamwork, resilience, and the value of hard work. I currently attend DePaul University, and along with being a big sports fan, I also pursue photography, which has given me another way to capture and appreciate the passion, energy, and golden moments that sports create. My goal as a coach is to help swimmers grow not only in the pool but as people, by building a supportive, motivating environment where they feel encouraged but also challenged. I’m a big believer in pushing beyond what is believed to be possible and to motivate everybody to be better than their best.
ASSISTANT COACH: Colleen Donnell
My name is Colleen Donnell, and I am so excited to return to POSA as an assistant coach. I first joined POSA at 6 years old, and the sport quickly became a huge part of my life. Swimming taught me so many lessons—discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and confidence—that have shaped who I am today. At Sandburg High School, I was a four-year varsity swimmer and state qualifier. In 2021, I began coaching at POSA before stepping away to pursue my degree at Purdue University, where I continued my athletics as a member of the club water polo team. Now, I’m thrilled to be back with POSA. My goal as a coach is to help each athlete develop not only their skills in the pool but also their confidence outside of it. I’m excited to see what this team accomplishes this season and to celebrate every milestone along the way.
