Bridgette Schertle Acchione has been coaching with LBA since 2002. She is a 2003 graduate of Notre Dame Prep, 2007 graduate of Loyola College in Maryland, and the captain of her college swim team during her senior year. Bridgette is a Speech-Language Pathologist and has been working in Baltimore City Public Schools since 2009.  She grew up through the LBA program and has vast knowledge of stroke technique and age group swimming.  Bridgette is the head coach for the program and the lead coach for the Smurf Group.

In addition to her LBA responsiblities, Bridgette is the Secretary and one of the Non-athlete Representatives for the MDswimming Executive Board.  She was also chosen by the MDswimming Board to represent MDswimming at The USA Swimming Leadership Summit in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Gordon Amato is the Aquatics Director at Loyola Blakefield and, with that role, is the Head Varsity Water Polo and Swimming Coach for Loyola.  Gordon is also the Head Senior Group Coach at LBA. Coach Gordon was the named the 2024 MIAA swim Coach of the Year. Coach Gordon was also named the 2023 and 2024 National Catholic Coach of the Year. Coach Gordon led the Loyola Dons to a 2024 Swimming MIAA Championship the first in 7 years. In 2024, Coach Gordon led the Loyola Varsity Water Polo team to a MIAA Championship. Coach Gordon was recognized by Maryland Swimming as a bronze level coach in 2024. 

Previously, Gordon was an educator for Baltimore County Public Schools for 12 years. He earned an Undergraduate and Master’s degree from Towson University.  During his time at BCPS, Gordon worked with special education students and students with behavioral and emotional needs. He worked on schools’ leadership team, school improvement teams and in an administrator role. Gordon also coached Allied sports and track and field and cross country. Gordon enjoyed his time in education and is excited that he gets to continues his passion for coaching at Loyola Blakefield and LBA.

Gordon swam competitively for 19 years and finished his swimming career on the Division I Towson University swim team as team captain.  Gordon played varsity water polo for Mt. St. Joseph high school in Baltimore. Gordon continued playing water polo at a master level at Baltimore Water for ten years after college. Gordon coached at the Tigerfish Aquatic Club and was the assistant coach for the Watermont Swim Team.  Gordon is currently the head coach of the York Manor Swim Club.  His twin daughters, Aria and Alessandra, are LBA swimmers.

Keith Schertle is the founder and assistant coach of Loyola Blakefield Aquatics. An A.S.C.A. Level 4 coach, Keith has been coaching since 1985. Keith has been coaching at Loyola High School since 1995 and has been the head coach since 1997, leading the Dons to 17 straight MIAA titles. In 1996/1997, 2004/2005, and 2007/2008 he led the Dons to a National Catholic Championship at Villanova University where he subsequently was named Coach of the Meet. Keith has also led the Dons to a National Catholic Championship in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015, as well as an Eastern Swimming & Diving Championship in 2014.  Keith has coached both National and All-American Swimmers from college and high school. As for responsibilities, Keith will be leading our age group program, working with Age Group 1 and Age Group 2 coaches.

Max joined the LBA coaching staff in September 2024 after after graduating from Loyola University with a master’s degree in emerging media in May. He was a four-time first team All-Patriot League selection, a four-year Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) member and two-year team captain of the Greyhounds’ squad. Verheyen served as SAAC vice president in the 2021-22 academic year and president during the 2022-23 academic year. The Baltimore native was named the Patriot League Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2024.
 
Verheyen has more than three years of experience as an assistant youth coach with the Eagle Swim Team in Owings Mills, Md. and Roland Run Swim Club in Lutherville, Md, helping develop athletes’ technical skills and racing performance.

Max will be assisting Age Group 2 and SR group.
 

Solomon joined MD swimming in 2009. After a long coaching career with NBAC he is excited to share his coaching experience and expertise with the LBA swimmers as well as to guide them to reach new heights. Solomon has taught swim lessons of all ages and abilities for over 20 years. During the school year Solomon works at The Tunbridge school where his role stretches from teaching PE to pulling students for reading intervention.

Beth Ann swam competitively year round for KCO under Reds Hucht and Campus Cabana for 10 years, earned several high point awards, and was a zone qualifier multiple times.  She spent  one year with Homewood Aquatic Club under George Kennedy and swam with fellow LBA coach Katie Jenkins.  Beth Ann  swam collegiately with Towson University where she held the pool record in 200 yard IM.  She also held the 200 yard back pool record at Loyola College and was an ECAC qualifier.  Beth Ann  coached for L'Hirondelle, Woodcroft and the youngest level at Mariners during college.  She  coached for BAAC where she was the head coach of the mini group for 5 years.
All four of Beth Ann's children have been a part of the LBA program.  Beth Ann was a  NICU nurse for 13 years and most recently a Case Manager at Mercy Medical NICU part time.  Beth Ann will be working with our Smurf 1&2 group.