University of Maryland

Schedule
Pricing
Register Now
UMD Coaching Staff

Dan Haines – Site Director & National Team Coach
Email: [email protected]

I started swimming competitively at age 6, competing through my late 20s in summer league, YMCA, club, high school, college and open water. I was a member of Indian River State College's 11th and 12th national championships, where I was also a team captain for the 1987 championship team. Beyond swimming, I ran cross country for 6 years in junior and senior high, winning a state championship as a varsity member my junior year. I also dabbled briefly in wrestling and dance, two experiences which had a notable impact on my coaching as well, bringing a more holistic understanding and approach to athletic performance.
 
I began teaching swimming at age 14 as an assistant in my high school aquatics program, then kicked off my coaching career at 17, as head coach of a summer league team in southern New Jersey. I’ve been coaching ever since, working in summer league, YMCA, high school and club swimming. I’ve coached for teams large and small, owned and operated my own team for a decade in Potomac Valley, and developed several competitive lesson programs along the way. Having been with Machine for the past decade, I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing my passion for swimming and for helping young athletes and their families grow through such an amazing sport.
 
Apart from coaching, I’ve worked in aquatic management, and at one point in a near-permanent career change, as an intern architect for Bignell Watkins Hasser Architects in Annapolis. I enjoy reading, mountain biking, disc golfing and hiking. In 1991, I bicycled with a childhood friend from Seattle to Los Angeles to Dover, DE, and in 1995, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa.
 
I currently live in Sykesville, MD with my wife Katie, son Benjamin and dog Blue.

Elena Argueta – Age Group Coach
Email: [email protected]

I was born and currently live in College Park, Maryland. My swimming journey began in 2013 with a small summer team, and I joined Machine Aquatics in 2018—and haven’t looked back since!

While swimming with Machine, I became lifeguard certified, worked at two local pools, and started teaching swim lessons in my community. In 2023, my mentor Dan Haines invited me to join the Machine coaching staff. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity because I genuinely love helping young swimmers grow.

I believe there’s always more to learn and always room for improvement. I hope to continue growing both as a coach and a person through my time with Machine. Outside the pool, I enjoy baking pineapple upside-down cake and cookies, and I love roller skating!

Austin Rider – High Performance and Senior Coach
Email: [email protected]

My name is Austin Rider and I am the lead HP and Senior Silver/Green coach at the University of Maryland site. The 2025-26 season is my seventh with Machine. 

I grew up swimming summer league in Herndon, VA, first with the Kingston Chase Fighters and later with the Four Seasons Tidal Waves. I began junior coaching in 2014 with Kingston Chase and moved on to an assistant role with Four Seasons the following summer. From 2010-2014 I also swam club with the Herndon Aquatic Club Commanders and swam all four years of high school at Herndon High from 2011-2015.

After my sophomore year of college at James Madison University, I moved into the head coach position at Four Seasons and continued there for three summers. I graduated from JMU with a degree in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication in 2019, coached my final season with Four Seasons, and accepted a position as lead Senior and Gear coach at UMD soon after. During my first season with Machine, I also accepted a coaching position with the Adelphi Dolphins summer team and have coached there for the past six summers.

I strive to make personal connections with my swimmers and look to build their confidence and self-belief. Mental toughness, repetition of good habits, and a positive mindset are all paramount to a successful swim career at any experience level. I thoroughly enjoy coaching and especially enjoy spending a few minutes before and after practice talking with my swimmers, and I look forward to every practice and every meet!

Trent Badrak – Age Group Coach
Email: [email protected]

Hi, I’m Trent! I’m currently a sophomore studying chemical engineering at the University of Maryland. I started swimming at age 7 with the Adelphi Dolphins, then moved to UMAC, and later joined Machine Aquatics, where I swam for about seven years.

I competed at meets such as NCSA Championships in Orlando and Senior Zones in Pittsburgh. After high school, I returned to Machine as a coach at the UMD site. I also compete on UMD’s club swim team, where I previously served as captain and wrote team practices.

Outside of the pool, I love playing electric guitar. I’m a huge fan of hard rock and metal from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s—especially Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dream Theater, and Alice in Chains.

Ellie Kim – Age Group Coach
Email: [email protected]

Hi, I’m Ellie! This is my second year coaching with Machine Aquatics. I started swimming at age 9 with the Adelphi Dolphins and joined Machine a year later, continuing with both teams throughout middle and high school.

Even with early mornings and packed schedules, I stayed motivated thanks to the incredible support of my coaches and teammates. Now, as a coach, I love working with the 9–10s and 8 & unders—their enthusiasm is contagious!

I’m currently a student at the University of Maryland, majoring in Nutritional Science and Music Performance.

Lily Valverde – Age Group Coach
Email: [email protected]
Bio coming soon.

Matt Mueller – Age Group Coach
Email: [email protected]

I’m originally from the DC area and started swimming competitively at age 8. My love for the sport began at my local summer pool and carried through high school and club swimming.

I currently study mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland and have been a member of the UMD Club Swim team for three years. I coach Gears-level swimmers at the UMD site.

Outside the pool, I love spending time outdoors—whether it's surfing, skiing, or going on backpacking trips with my little brother. I’m excited to be part of the Machine team and look forward to seeing everyone in College Park!

Adam Liewehr - Age Group Coach
Email: [email protected]

My name is Adam Liewehr, and I'm a senior studying Computer Science at American University in Washington, D.C. I started swimming when I was five at the Ashton Swim Club in Silver Spring, MD. I swam there for 13 years, competed with RMSC in middle and high school, and was a Paint Branch High School team member for four years. I now swim for the club team at American University, where I also serve as a coach. I’ve had the opportunity to compete at Club Swim Nationals at Ohio State and in Indianapolis.

This is my first year coaching for Machine Aquatics, and I'm excited to be a part of the team. I’ve also coached at the Ashton Swim Club for five years, serving as head coach for the past two. When I'm not swimming or coaching, I enjoy playing pickleball and ping pong. I love collaborating with fellow coaches to create a meaningful and fun experience for swimmers of all ages and abilities.