Bobby Brewer  

Head Coach

Email: [email protected] 

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Brewer was the 100 meter backstroke National Champion in 1998 and a 10-Time USA Swimming National Team Member. As an 18-time All-American at the University of Georgia from 1994-98, Brewer won three SEC individual titles, while serving as the team captain for both his Junior and Senior year. He went on to be swim professionally and co-authored a motivational book entitled ‘The Olympic Dream and Spirit Volume One: Stories of Courage, Perseverance and Dedication,’ explaining how he overcame a debilitating back injury leading into the 2000 Olympic Trials. After years of rehab Brewer came back more focused than ever winning a national championship, a US Open Championship, and qualifying for multiple USA National Teams.

In 2004 Brewer received his Masters in Sport Science and served as Vice President of Premier Management Group, a professional athlete management company, helping manage the careers of several Olympic swimmers and coaches including Aaron Peirsol, Amanda Beard, Eddie Reese, and Jack Bauerle. He also operated the leading swim clinic company at the time producing thousands of technique and motivational clinics with hundreds of Olympic swimmers and coaches around the world.

Brewer most recently served as head coach of the Army’s Wounded Warrior Program helping Wounded, Ill, and injured service members in their recovery. His coaching focuses on intense race preparation both in and out of the pool. His scientific approach aims to achieve optimal stroke technique and body positioning, overall fitness, and the ability for any of his athletes to be prepared on race day no matter what the circumstances may be. “There is no magic in coaching,” Brewer says, “we train at race pace and with attention to technique since that is how we want it on race day. Every day is race day.”

Credentials:

• Master of Sport Science: United States Sports Academy
• Bachelor of Science in Psychoogy – University of Georgia
• ASCA – Level 4
• USA National Champion, US Open Champion, 10-Time USA National Team Member, 3X SEC Chamnpion

 

Zach Statler

Assistant Coach

Email: [email protected]

Hi, my name is Zach Statler, and I started coaching with RCA in the Spring of 2023 and currently coach the Silver group. I was born and raised in Jackson, Missouri where I currently reside with my wife Marie and my three daughters, Kambree, Aubree, and Maebree. I have worked at Mondi Jackson since 2012, where I am a multi-craft technician in the maintenance department and specialize in our distillation process.

I started swimming competitively at age 5 with Jackson Barracudas. I then swam with the Gators Swim team year-round for another 10 years and then another 3 years during the summer season, where I also coached athletes through private lessons. My favorite swim meets when I was a competitor include the Junior Olympics and the Kerr-McGhee (Pro-Am) meet.

I want to use my experience and memories to build the group’s confidence, develop a life-long passion for the sport, and most importantly have FUN.

Sally Loughary

Director of Stroke School

For over thirty years Coach Sally has been guiding children at all levels in our sport. Whether it is teaching our stroke school students the fundamentals of the competitive strokes or helping develop agre groujp swimmers to prepare for the future, Coach Sally is the foundation. If the proper credit were given directly to developmental age group coaches, Coach Sally would be at the top of the list. Coach Sally has deeloped countless swimmers that have gone on to college scholarships, State Champions, Ozark Champions, Jr National Qualifiers, National Qualifiers, and more. but most importantly, Sally teches discipline, integrity, and accountabilty! 

Bryan McPherson

Director Strength and Conditioning

Bryan’s experience working with club, high school and collegiate swimmers is unparalleled, and he uses his wealth of knowledge and experience to continually transform SwimStrong Dryland into the premier swim-specific dryland program in the country. Bryan has been involved with the sport of swimming either as an athlete or a coach since he was 12 years old. He was a member of the club swim team in the St. Louis area where Eric Hudson began his swim-specific dryland coaching career. Upon high school graduation, Bryan earned a scholarship to swim at the Division 1 level. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, Bryan began his strength coaching career with internships at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Illinois, and DePaul University.

After graduating, Bryan went on to earn his Master’s degree at the University of Louisville. While attending Louisville, Bryan interned with their Sports Performance Department, where he worked as a strength coach with the Louisville Swim Team for two years. He had the privilege of working with multiple Olympic athletes while at Louisville. He then went on to become the strength coach for the swim team at Lindenwood University in the St. Louis Area. In his two years with Lindenwood, he coached numerous Division 2 NCAA All-Americans, including an NCAA Champion, and he helped lead the women’s team to a conference title. With all his hands-on experience, Bryan was able to combine his knowledge as a former swimmer with the scientific training principles that are required to make swimmers faster in the water and more resilient to injury. Bryan now works full time with SwimStrong Dryland, making it his sole focus and passion to deliver the best possible dryland programming for our swim athletes. Bryan believes that we should never stop learning and researching so that we can always be growing and improving. He also believes dryland training should challenge athletes to develop both physically and mentally so they can be the best swimmer and person possible.

Bryan lives in Oregon with his wife Renae. In addition to SwimStrong Dryland, he loves spending time with his wife, their dogs (Duncan, Echo, and Atlas) and their cat (Moo). He also enjoys training, bass guitar, and the great outdoors.

 

Credentials:

• Master of Science in Exercise Physiology – University of Louisville
• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – Eastern Illinois University
• Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist – National Strength & Conditioning Association
• Youth Fitness Specialist – International Youth Conditioning Association

Logan Long 

Leadership Specialist

Logan joins SwimStrong Dryland with a deep passion for athletic development and a proven background as a lifelong swimmer & swim coach. Logan works directly with our club teams to design & implement periodized dryland programs for all age groups to enhance performance and promote long-term athletic development in and out of the water.  Beyond programming, he values the relationships built with coaches, believing that trust and collaboration are the foundation to help coaches and athletes become the best version of themselves, both in and out of the water. Logan also brings a wealth of leadership experience as he is passionate about developing and mentoring the next generation of swim athletes.

Logan started competitive swimming on a USA age group team in Central Illinois and upon graduation, continued to swim collegiately at a Division I program for four years. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science, Logan immediately got into coaching. Starting out in Kansas City as an assistant age group coach, then moving on to Wisconsin with experience as an assistant national team coach, head age group coach, and head coach. Logan has coached numerous swimmers who have achieved some of the highest levels of performance throughout his coaching career. 

Logan is currently living in Southeastern Wisconsin with his wife Karleen. Outside of SwimStrong Dryland, he loves spending time with his wife, cheering on Chicago sports, reading, traveling, golf, and spending time at the gym. 

His lifelong love for the sport of swimming, and the opportunities it has provided him, fuel his commitment to giving back to the sport and empowering the next generation of athletes to thrive.

Credentials:

• National Academy of Sports Medicine – Performance Enhancement Specialist
• American Council on Exercise – Certified Personal Trainer
• International Youth Conditioning Association – Certified Athlete Development Specialist
• American Swim Coaches Association – Level 3 Coach
• Bachelor of Science – Eastern Illinois University

 

Christen Shefchunas

Mental Skills & Confidence Coach

Coach Christen is a Professional Confidence Coach who works with Olympians, World Record holders and NCAA Champions.

She is former All American Swimmer at the University of Tennessee and she coached for 16 years, spending time as an assistant coach at Michigan State and SMU and Head Coach at the University of Miami.

During her time as a coach, Christen watched too many athletes miss out on their potential because of their lack of confidence. Realizing that there was a significant lack of resources for these athletes, Christen left her college coaching career and started Coach Christen, a business focused on helping athletes build their confidence and handle their pressure moments well.

She works one-on-one as a confidence coach with some of the best athletes in the world. In 2024, she had 7 clients qualify for the Paris Olympics bringing home 8 medals, including World Record holder, Gretchen Walsh. She is also a sought after speaker, speaking to teams, athletes and business leaders about building confidence and how to handle the “pressure to perform” moments.

 

 

Jill Oertle

Doctor of Physical Therapy Consultant

Credentials:

• Doctorate in Physical Therapy – Saint Louis University
• Master’s in Physical Therapy – Saint Louis University
• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science – Saint Louis University
• 30+ years of experience in Physical Therapy
• 20+ years of experience working with swim athletes

Marianne Dean (Summer Season)

Assistant Summer League Coach (SMSC)

Email: [email protected]

Marianne Dean brings over 10 years of swimming experience with River City Aquatics (RCA) to her role as an assistant coach. A former team member, she has a deep connection to the program and is excited to help swimmers of all skill levels grow in the sport.

Throughout her high school years, Marianne helped her team secure a state title and state record. She continues to swim at the collegiate level at Truman State University while pursuing a degree in Exercise Science.

As a coach, Marianne is passionate about teaching beginning swimmers the fundamentals of the sport while also helping more advanced swimmers develop their skills. Her coaching philosophy emphasizes creating a supportive and positive environment where athletes feel motivated and confident to improve. Marianne believes in building a strong foundation through consistent practice, good technique, and strong work ethic. She aims to help each swimmer reach their personal goals, no matter where they are on their swimming journey.