COACH

Annika has been a member and coach of the Chicago Smelts since 2022, although she started her coaching career with youth 6&Under swimmers almost a decade ago. She’s currently getting her PhD at UIC, and works for a local non-profit, but in her free time loves to spend time with friends, play video games, and sing! Her favorite event to swim is IM and favorite to coach is backstroke. She loves the Smelts for the sense of community, great workouts, and the ability to share a sport she loves with others through coaching.

COACH

Brock grew up in the Pacific Northwest, spent his summers swimming in the mountain lakes and his family's backyard pool, and swam at a Spokane-area age group club throughout high school. In high school, Brock began coaching for the city rec league and went on to lifeguard and teach swimming throughout college, including a master's swim team in Portland, Oregon. In 2013 Brock swam in his first IGLA (International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics) Championship and found the family of gay swimmers across the globe. He joined the Seattle Orca Swim Team shortly thereafter and coached this team as well. He is committed to promoting inclusion in athletics, especially among queer people in aquatics, and to promoting community through sport.

COACH

Mike is a Level 3 USMS certified coach with twenty years experience in swim education. He’s worked with Olympians, Trials qualifiers, Masters State Champions and established multiple learn-to-swim programs. Having started Masters programs in both NJ and IL, he is well versed in creating safe and welcoming communities on the pool deck and beyond. Mike’s coaching philosophy is focused on creating a space where a swimmer can set goals, shatter expectations and work with him to ensure a lifetime of successful swimming.