Ray Benecki is the founder and Executive Director of the FISH Swim Team. He started the club in 1991 for his oldest son, Steven, who was just four years old. Over the decades, Ray built FISH into one of the premier swim programs in the United States, coaching athletes from beginners to world-class competitors. Most notably, he coached Kate Ziegler for nine years, during which she set multiple world records and earned spots on the 2008 Olympic Team in Beijing and the 2012 Olympic Team in London.

On May 28, 2025, Ray retired from active coaching after more than three decades of dedication to the sport and the swimmers he mentored. While no longer on deck, he continues to serve as President of the Board, keeping a close eye on the team’s “best times” and offering his expertise and guidance to ensure FISH remains strong. In retirement, Ray is thoroughly enjoying traveling the world and spending time with his family.

A highly respected ASCA Level V Coach, Ray’s career highlights include:

• Assistant Women’s Coach for the USA National Team at the 2007 World Championships

• Member of the 2008 Olympic Team coaching staff in Beijing

• Assistant Open Water Coach for the USA National Team at the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships

• Lead coach at the 2007 National Distance Camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center

• Special Consultant to the Junior National Team in Melbourne, Australia (appointed by Mark Schubert)

Ray has been recognized with the 2010 Dirks/Gould Award and was twice nominated for the Golden Goggles Coach of the Year (2005, 2007). He has presented seminars on distance swimming for USA Swimming and the American Swim Coaches Association, and before coaching, he swam collegiately at Cornell University (1970–71) and the University of Delaware (1972–75).

Ray’s legacy is not only in the records set and medals earned, but in the countless swimmers whose lives he has touched—instilling in them the discipline, determination, and joy of swimming that define the spirit of the FISH.

Monika A. Paris is the Chief Executive Officer of the FISH Swim Team, leading the organization with a commitment to its core mission of pursuing excellence. Having been part of the FISH for over 20 years, Monika stepped into the CEO role following the retirement of founder Ray Benecki in May 2025. She now guides the team’s vision, ensures coaches deliver the highest-quality training, and works to maintain FISH’s reputation as one of the premier swim programs in the United States.

In her role, Monika wears many hats—overseeing public relations, fundraising, recruiting, staffing, fiscal management, and the daily operations of a thriving non-profit organization. She also serves on the Board of Directors as treasurer, blending strategic leadership with financial stewardship.

Monika holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, specializing in hospitality, from the University of Houston, and completed graduate coursework in Nutrition at George Mason University in 2018. Her diverse professional background includes building several businesses and campaigns, such as a web development company in the mid-1990s, and Kaimont, a trekking business based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

An accomplished endurance athlete, Monika founded 50 Over 50, a healthy lifestyle campaign inspiring people to complete a half-marathon in every U.S. state. She has twice completed the world’s highest half marathon on Mount Everest and has trekked extensively and climbed mountains across the globe. She credits these physical and mental challenges—along with running well into her 50s—with building the resilience, discipline, and determination that serve her in leading the FISH Swim Team.

In 2016, she launched The Georgetown Half, an annual fundraising event supporting girls’ education in Nepal and Kenya, raising over $50,000 in the past year alone.

When she’s not working—or working out—Monika enjoys painting, channeling her creativity into colorful works of art. Combining her organizational skills, adventurous spirit, and ability to connect with people, she continues to inspire swimmers, staff, and the wider community to reach for their own “personal bests.”

Nicole Erickson (Harmon) is the Head Coach of the FISH and primarily coaches the Senior and Senior Prep groups, while also working with all other groups and levels on the team. As she has worked her way up through the ranks she has helped swimmers to achieve their first championship, Zones, Sectionals, Futures, and Junior and Senior National cuts. In 2016, she was a top 10 finalist for the Fitter and Faster Age Group Coach of the Year. That same year, she was a presenter for the ASCA World Clinic, where she gave two presentations: one on coaching young swimmers and another on racing during practice. She gave her presentation on coaching young athletes as a USA Swimming Webinar later that year.

Nicole grew up in Maine and has been swimming year-round since she was 7 years old. She spent her age-group swimming days swimming for her club team Coastal Maine Aquatics (CMA). She moved down to Virginia to attend George Mason University, where she graduated in May 2012 with a degree in Health, Recreation, and Tourism with a concentration in Exercise Science. In her final semester at Mason, Coach Nicole was an intern with the Strength and Conditioning staff for intercollegiate athletics, where she learned an incredible amount of information regarding strength training. While Coach Nicole attended Mason she was a member of the varsity swim team for all four years. She specialized in sprint backstroke and butterfly and was able to achieve her Senior National cuts in the 100 Backstroke, 50 Freestyle, and 100 Butterfly. Her favorite thing about coaching is being able to help all levels of swimmers achieve goals higher than they thought possible.

Curtis began his coaching career in 2000 with a summer league team in Virginia  Beach. After graduating from Virginia Tech in 2006, he began coaching with TCAC, a USA club in Virginia working extensively with all age groups and skill levels. After moving to Potomac Valley Swimming in 2014 with FBST, he learned about the dry side of coaching taking care of administrative duties and hosting meets. His  swimmers have competed at  Junior Nationals, achieved USA Swimming national age group Top 10 recognition, and broken Virginia State Swimming records. Many have gone on to compete in NCAA programs. He encourages his swimmers to pursue knowledge and success in all aspects of their lives and continues to dedicate himself to the sport and the effect it has on kids.

Bruce grew up in Northern Virginia started his involvement in competitive swimming in 1968 in the NVSL. At 13, he began swimming year-round in PVS at Starlit Aquatic Club. Bruce enjoyed success in the NVSL, PVS, and in high school at WT Woodson. He also has competed in US Masters Swimming.

Bruce began his coaching career in the Country Club League while still in high school. Hired as an assistant coach, he had to take over the head coach role as the season began. The team went on to the league championship that season. He went on to coach in the NVSL and worked with winter swim programs. While studying at George Mason University, he took a break from all swimming, started a career in retail management, got married, and started a family. 

As his children got involved with swimming, he rediscovered his love for the sport. He became a coach, certified referee, and team rep in the colonial Swim League, where he was active for 20 years. In 2000 he started as an assistant coach at Westfield High School, taking over the head coach position in 2003, and continued until 2019. In 2001 he started coaching in PVS as an assistant at Herndon Aquatic Club. In 2007 he took over as the head coach, where he coached until 2017. During that time, he coached a 2-time  Olympic Trials qualifier, NCAA Finalist, several Junior National swimmers, many Zone team swimmers, including a Zone record-setter and champion. He has been a 3-time PVS Zone Team assistant coach. 

Bruce has coached all ages of swimmers, from pee-wee to Masters level. He has completed all of the ASCA training for Level 5, along with many classes focusing on strength training/injury prevention and mental health/sleep health. He loves the thrill of teaching swimmers life lessons, how to swim fast, and stresses having fun while doing it.

Please join me in welcoming Brady to our squad of coaches! With a rich background in swimming that started in Columbus, Ohio, Brady brings 15 years of experience in the sport. He has competed in numerous national meets, including finishing 11th at the Open Water Junior Nationals.

Brady also has coaching experience, having worked with 14 and under kids at the club level. He is a proud graduate of Gardner-Webb University, where he swam all four years and won his conference meet as a freshman. Brady holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and is passionate about swimming and coaching.

Scott Cleal began swimming at the age of 6 in Charleston, S.C.  with the Coastal Carolina Novice Swim League (CCNSL). During his swimming career he competed in Virginia Beach (VBPR), San Diego, and within the NVSL. While attending Mt. Carmel H.S. in San Diego, CA and later West Springfield High School in Springfield, VA, he not only swam on the respective varsity teams, but he also competed in Cross Country and Track.  He completed his B.B.A. at James Madison University.

Coach Scott loves to run and he has competed in 5ks as well as in marathons. He has also placed top 3 several times in Biathlons (Swim, Run) and Triathlons including USTS and Championship level competitions.

Coach Scott enjoys coaching swimmers and the challenge of incorporating constantly evolving new techniques and training methods.  Swimming has always been a life-skill for Scott and he still actively swims and even competes from time to time.  Scott has been a USA Coaching Member since 2010 and has coached all ages of swimmers.

Coach Jo joins us as a Mini FISH coach.

Celebrating a December birthday, Jo spent her first summer in the water making her a true 'water baby.'  Since then, she has spent all her summers swimming and has taught private lessons in our area for almost 10 years.  

She grew up in McLean, attended Bishop Ireton High School and has a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.  She is also involved in the community as a paramedic with the McLean Volunteer Fire Department.  

Outside of swimming, she enjoys the sport of running.  She has run many races from charity event 5Ks to 50 mile ultra marathons.  Jo comes to us with a great attitude and diligent focus that she has developed through years of experience as a teacher, paramedic and ultra-runner.  

Jo has a love of swimming but even more she is eager to share her sense of mental strength with our young athletes.

Art Vera started his competitive swimming career at 8 years old swimming for teams in the Colonial League, NVSL, and USA/Potomac Valley Swimming.  Along with honing a competitive spirit, making lifelong friends, and instilling discipline, swimming gave him the opportunity to travel all over the Nation.   He competed at meets as far north as Buffalo, New York to as far west as Santa Cruz, California and the sense of adventure has stuck with him.

Art began coaching at 17 for the Belle Haven Country Club.  From there, he went on to receive the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certificate to teach swimming on an individual level at pools for Fairfax County RECenters and currently for the past 4 years at the McLean Racquet & Health Club.

Even with his time as a competitive swimmer long behind him, swimming will always be essential in Art's life.  Swimming is still teaching him new skills and taking him new places.  At college in California, he learned to surf, and has since surfed the coasts of several states and some countries including Mexico, Uruguay, and Japan.  This past year, he lived abroad in Japan teaching English and American culture, and was fortunate enough to teach swimming as part of the Physical Education curriculum.

Art will be working with the Mini FISH at Spring Hill RECenter.

Wallis’ first love was dance, but she has had a life-long connection to the water and swimming. As an adult, she joined a Master’s team and is now doing open-water swim competitions for fun.

Wallis was a recipient of two California Arts Council Grants - Artist-in-Residence and Artist-in-Schools - and has extensive experience teaching dance and creative movement to children.  She brings that teaching experience and knowledge of kinesiology/ body mechanics to our program. Wallis has been teaching private and group swim lessons in the McLean area for 4 years, and recently added coaching a Master’s swim team in Rockville. This is her second year coaching with the FISH.