Co-Head Coach: Kirsten Overcash

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Swimming has been a part of Coach Kirsten's life for as long as she can remember. Her experience includes swimming for Dick Shoulberg, Chris Lear and Caroline Boland at Germantown Academy, competing with Plymouth Whitemarsh Aquatic Club (PWAC) and PlyMar Swim and Tennis Club, and collegiate swimming at the University of Maryland. Her career has come to a new pinnacle as she now serves as one of the head age group coaches for PWAC.

Kirsten’s coaching philosophy is centered around helping young swimmers develop a love for the sport and fostering a strong sense of team spirit. She believes that creating a positive and supportive environment is essential for their growth and success. By combining enjoyment with dedication, she strives to help each swimmer reach their full potential, both individually and as a team member. 

Kirsten enjoys bringing fun to the sport and making practices enjoyable for the swimmers. She takes pleasure in learning about her swimmers' interests outside of the pool, as well as understanding their goals and ambitions in the water. 

When Kirsten isn’t on the pool deck- which isn't often, as she is both a swim coach and a mom of a swimmer- you can find her traveling with her other children to their lacrosse or baseball tournaments. When a weekend does open up, you'll find her spending time on the beach with her family and friends or re-watching her favorite TV show, Ted Lasso.

One of Kirsten's biggest athletic thrills was qualifying for the Olympic Trials, and it continues to fuel her passion for the sport.

Co-Head Coach: Andrew Austria

Born and raised in Dover, Delaware, and now residing in King of Prussia, PA, Coach Andrew has dedicated his life to the sport of swimming. Starting at the young age of 5, Andrew swam competitively with the Dover Dolphins YMCA and various summer clubs until the age of 18. His passion for the sport naturally transitioned into a coaching career, which began the summer after his high school graduation.

With nearly 28 years of coaching experience, Andrew has cultivated a diverse and successful career. In addition to coaching for PWAC, Andrew is entering his 9th year as the Assistant Coach at the Academy of Notre Dame. Throughout his coaching journey, Andrew has had the privilege of mentoring swimmers at all levels, from the mini team to Olympic Trial Qualifiers. His impressive track record includes coaching 28 High School All Americans.

A recognized leader in the swimming community, Andrew is an ASCA Ambassador and Mentor and was a 2022 ASCA Impact Coach of the Year Finalist. These accolades highlight his commitment to excellence and his influence on the sport.

As a dedicated swim coach, Andrew’s mission is to help each swimmer achieve their individual goals and to foster mutual learning and understanding. He believes in engaging with swimmers daily to better support their needs and ensure practices are enjoyable, aiming to have everyone leave with a smile. By instilling core values of Caring, Attitude, Respect, and Energy, he creates a positive and supportive environment for all athletes.

Coach Andrew is still quite active. In his spare time, you’ll find him on the golf course or reminiscing about completing the New York City marathon. He also played soccer for 13 years and was All State in High School. Beyond sports, he enjoys spending time with his family, especially seeing the excitement when his nieces and nephews open their Christmas presents.

Associate Head Coach: Joe Abruzzo

Coach Joe is a USA swim coach for Plymouth Whitemarsh Aquatic Club with a deep-rooted love for the sport. During his time as a swim coach he has mentored athletes at every level of USA swimming, from Mini Champs to Olympic Trials, and includes prestigious meets such as Futures, Sectionals, Junior Nationals, Grand Prix Pro Series, and Nationals. 

Coach Joe's philosophy extends beyond just training and competition; he strives to instill the core values of hard work, passion for the sport, and the importance of having fun while swimming and competing. He believes that swimming should be an enjoyable journey, and his favorite aspect of coaching is building meaningful connections with his swimmers. His approachable and supportive nature ensures that each athlete feels valued and motivated to achieve their personal best.

When Coach Joe isn't on the pool deck, he dedicates his time to his family, proudly supporting his four children in their successful swimming careers. His commitment to both his swimmers and his family exemplifies his genuine love for the sport and his dedication to nurturing the next generation of talented swimmers.

With Coach Joe at the helm, swimmers can expect not only to excel in their athletic pursuits but also to develop a lifelong appreciation for the sport of swimming. His blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and personal touch makes him a truly exceptional coach and mentor.

Assistant Coach: Dave Boyer

Coach Dave was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He grew up participating in the local summer league and began swimming year-round in high school. Although he didn’t set pool or team records, Dave’s personal best times improved every week, driven by his love for the sport.

During Dave’s time in the Navy, he swam for pleasure and exercise. While stationed in South Carolina, he joined the Parris Island Masters team. Since 2012, Dave has been a dedicated USA Swimming Coach for Plymouth Whitemarsh Aquatic Club (PWAC). In addition to coaching for PWAC, he serves as the head coach for the Plymouth Gators summer swim team. Dave takes pride in helping swimmers overcome challenges and preparing them not only for competition but also for life.

When he’s not on the pool deck, Dave enjoys spending time with his children in fierce video game competitions, building intricate LEGO sets, and walking his dog.

Assistant Coach: Chris Loughlin

Coach Chris’ swimming journey began as a competitive swimmer in 1969 and continued through college until 1987. Over the past 27 years, he has had the privilege of coaching across various platforms, including Summer League, YMCA, Suburban Aquatic League, and US Swimming. His coaching experience spans from working with rookies to advanced swimmers, covering water practices, dryland training, and technical clinics.

Chris’ coaching philosophy is centered around fostering a positive and supportive environment where swimmers can develop their skills, build confidence, and achieve their personal best. He believes in the importance of technique, discipline, and hard work, while also ensuring that the experience is enjoyable and rewarding for each swimmer. By focusing on individual strengths and providing tailored guidance, he aims to help each athlete reach their full potential both in and out of the pool.

His favorite part of coaching swimming is witnessing the transformation in swimmers as they progress through the program. This progression includes improvements in times, building confidence, and developing a strong work ethic.

When Chris is not on the pool deck coaching, he loves spending time with his family at the beach. Whether it's for social events, relaxing by the water, or fishing from a boat, he cherishes these moments of relaxation and connection.

Assistant Coach: Brian Renna

Coach Brian is entering his third year with the Plymouth Whitemarsh Aquatic Club (PWAC). His passion for swimming began during his time with Clovis Swim Club during 7th grade. He continued to nurture this passion as a competitive swimmer at the University of Hawaii. 

For Coach Brian, the best part of coaching is the opportunity to be at the pool, helping swimmers refine their techniques and achieve their personal bests. He also has a unique fondness for the smell of chlorine, which always brings back fond memories of his own swimming days.

Coach Brian's coaching philosophy centers on continuous improvement and enjoyment. He aims to help swimmers drop time throughout the season by honing their technical skills while ensuring they have fun in the process.

When he's not on the pool deck, Coach Brian loves to explore the great outdoors. His favorite activities include hiking, backpacking, and camping. He also cherishes spending quality time with his wife and their four amazing children.

Senior Advisor & Coach: Caroline Boland

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Coach Caroline has been teaching and coaching swimming for 36 years. Her journey began at the Roxborough YMCA, where she discovered her passion for helping swimmers of all ages and abilities. From there, she continued her coaching career at Plymouth Whitemarsh Aquatic Club (PWAC), PlyMar Swim and Tennis Club, Germantown Academy, Whitemarsh Country Club, and has now come full circle back to her current role at PWAC.

Caroline’s experience runs the gamut, from teaching 3-year-olds how to swim to working on stroke technique with Olympic Trial qualifiers. She has had the privilege of guiding swimmers through every stage of their development, from their very first strokes to competing at the highest levels of the sport. This diverse coaching background has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs and goals of swimmers at all levels.

Her coaching philosophy is built on the foundation of fostering a positive and encouraging environment. She believes that every swimmer has the potential to achieve greatness, and it is her mission to help them realize their full potential. She emphasizes the importance of technique, discipline, and hard work, while also ensuring that the experience is enjoyable and rewarding.

One of Caroline's favorite aspects of her position is watching a swimmer achieve the next step. Whether it’s swimming a lap for the first time or achieving a lifetime best, the joy on their faces as they exit the pool is her favorite part of coaching. These moments of success and personal growth are what drive her to continue improving as a coach and mentor.

When she’s not coaching swimming, Caroline cherishes spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She has a passion for traveling and eagerly anticipates exploring some of her bucket list destinations in the coming years.

Coach Emeritus (retired): Richard Shoulberg

With an illustrious career spanning over five decades, Coach Dick Shoulberg has established himself as an esteemed figure in the world of competitive swimming. His journey began in 1958 where he coached for teams such as the Penn Square Swim Club, the Norristown YWCA, Mermaid Swim Club and the Roxborough YMCA, This early experience set the stage for a remarkable career dedicated to developing top-tier swimmers.

The most notable chapter of Coach Shoulberg's career unfolded at Germantown Academy, where he served as a swim coach from 1969 to 2015. Within this period, he also led the Germantown Academy Aquatic Club.  His influence was further extended as the head coach of the Foxcatcher Swim Club.

Coach Shoulberg has also made significant contributions on the international stage. He served as an Assistant Coach for the U.S. Women's Olympic Team from 1987 to 1990, bringing his expertise to the world's highest level of competition. In 1992, he continued his Olympic journey as an Assistant Coach for the U.S. Men's Olympic Swim Team.

Throughout his career, Coach Shoulberg has been dedicated to fostering the growth and success of his swimmers. His extensive experience and commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on the swimming community.  In September of 2024 he will be inducted into the International Swim Coaches’ Hall of Fame.

We are thrilled to have Coach Dick Shoulberg as a valued member of PWAC's coaching staff. Although he may not be on the pool deck frequently, his occasional visits and the wealth of experience he brings have a profound impact. His guidance continues to inspire our coaches, many of whom have had the privilege of working alongside him for years or have had the honor of being coached by him. 

Coach Shoulberg is now enjoying retirement with the love of his life, Molly. Together, they have four children and several cats.

Red Cross Certified Instructor:

Lifeguard, CPR, AED, First Aid

Dave Boyer

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