Brian Zeigler

Girls Head Coach

USA Coach

Coaching Experience: Brian is in his 4th season coaching for PVAC and his 2nd year as Girls Head Coach and USA Head Coach. In his first year as girls head coach, Brian led the girls team to a 7-1 record and a best ever 5th place (of 22) finish in the SAL. He has been involved with the Pre-Team program (Guppy team) since its beginning in 2004. Brian was also president of the Temple swimming club for two years. In the summer, Brian coaches the Skippack Swim team and lifeguards at Whites Road Pool in Lansdale. Brian is also in his third year as an Assistant Coach for the Perkiomen Valley High School Team.

Personal: Brian is a graduating from Temple University in January with a major in Broadcasting. From there, he will pursue graducate certification in secondary education. He is a graduate of Perkiomen Valley High School (2005). Brian was a member of the PVHS swim team from 2001-2005 where he was once 9th all-time in the 100 backstroke. He swam for the Skippack swim team for 11 years including a streak of 55 consecutive meets swam to end his career. Brian is an expert in both Meet Manager and Team Manager software. He runs swim meets and invitationals for both Perkiomen Valley and Springford. Besides swimming, he enjoys playing tennis, watching sports, and attending sporting events.

Achievements: Brian was a three time PIAA District One Qualifier, and captain of the PVHS swim team in 2005. He was also a member of the 2004 PVHS State Team. Brian is also a three-time Southern Vermont Swim league champion and a four time Vermont state medalist. In college, he was a ASAU club swimming medalist in the 200 backstroke. He is also Lifeguard and CPR certified. In March 2005, Brian earned his Eagle Scout award as a member of Troop 87.

Philosophy of Coaching: “Swimming is not just an activity but a lifelong skill. It emphasizes the values of determination, discipline, hard work, perseverance, and leadership. The most important part of swimming is not an individual’s ability level but rather that individual’s ability to work as hard as they can and their willingness to commit themselves to doing everything possible to improve in order to obtain their own goals and reach their ultimate swimming potential.”

Geoff Wilson

Boys Head Coach

Coaching Experience: This is Geoff’s second year as a PVAC Coach. Geoff comes to us from the North Penn Aquatic Club where he was the Head Boys and USA coach from 2004-2007. He was also the Head Coach for Germantown Academy’s Water Polo team from 1997-1999.

Personal: Geoff grew up in Worcester, Pennsylvania and swam for Methacton Swim Club from 1985 through 1996. During the summers, he swam for Nor-Gwyn Swim Team. (Geoff still holds numerous records at Methacton Swim Team.) He graduated from Germantown Academy in 1996. Geoff received a swimming scholarship from LaSalle University. Geoff later transferred to Penn State University and was a member of the club water polo team. He graduated from PSU in 2001 with a BS in Communications and English degree.

Achievements: 10-time High School All-American in 5 different events; recruited by 15 different colleges in the US (Iowa, UVA, Penn State, etc.); received a swimming scholarship from LaSalle University in 1996; finished first (17-19 yr old) @ the John T. Carey Invitational Ocean Swim in Ocean City, NJ (1995) (7th overall out of 400 athletes); Summer Junior Olympics (1993-1994); The Charlotte Ultra Swim (1995); National Age Group Camp (1992); Penn State Swim Camp (1990-92); Junior National Qualifier in 5 events (1994 & 1995); taught at many competitive swim clinics from 1994-1995 / 2004-Present; coached the Girls & Boys High School Water Polo Team @ Germantown Academy from 1997-1999; North Penn Aquatic Club Boys Head Coach (SAL) from 2004-2008.

Philosophy of Coaching: "Swimming is a very complex sport both physically and mentally. I believe that swimming is 80% mental and the rest physical. I believe as a coach you need to relate to kids and young teens in this sport very carefully. I believe in building up and maintaining self-confidence, self-worth and encouragement and the rest seems to almost always take care of itself. I also believe in building strong relationships with every athlete because that is what makes kids want to be better athletes, listen to the skills and lessons that you portray; and thus, perform better both individually and as a team. Swimming fast is contagious and it's our job as coaches to find that recipe for greatness. Most importantly, I urge team spirit, require a humbling attitude from all athletes and always practice positive reinforcement in all instances. I am a firm advocate for USA Swimming and truly believe that it helps all swimmers become better by experiencing different calibers of competition in swimming outside of the SAL League and the understanding of how goal setting becomes an intricate part of this sport at any age and level of competition. It can also make an entire team that much better by competing at that level over time. I look forward to helping PVAC become a dominant program in the years to come."

Dan Todd

Diving Coach

Coaching Experience:

Personal:

Achievements:

Philosophy of Coaching: 

Rob Bonsall

Assistant Coach

Coaching Experience: Rob is currently in his 6th year as assistant coach at PVAC. He's the Head Coach for the Masters team and teaches adult and child swim lessons with PVSD Community Education.

Personal: Rob married his high school sweetheart, Pam (they actually met on the swim team!) Rob & Pam have 3 wonderful daughters ages 10, 13, and 18. He enjoys lifting weights, running, and of course swimming. Rob is employed by Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. Most Sunday mornings, you'll find Rob serving as an usher at Branch Creek Community Church in Harleysville.

Achievements: Rob retains a Level 2 Certification from the American Swim Coaches Association and is currently working toward level 3. He has completed the Masters Swimming School from ASCA and retains his USA Coaches, Coaches Safety Training, and CPR Certifications. Rob was a PIAA state qualifier in the 100 free and 50 free events in his sophomore and junior years at Coatesville Area Senior High School. He was a PIAA State Finalist (4th place) in 100 Free during his senior year. Rob moved on to the Syracuse University Swim Team and was a member of the 1982 Big East Championship Team. As a masters swimmer, he has had two top 10 national times in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle events. He also had two top 20 finishes in the 2006 World Masters Championships. Most recently, Rob was inducted into the Coatesville Area High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Philosophy of Coaching:  "I believe swimming can provide the foundation for a successful life. It teaches leadership skills, teamwork, respect for others and yourself, and an appreciation for health and fitness that remains with you for a lifetime. I enjoy seeing a young swimmer who works hard, develop proper stroke mechanics and achieve personal best times!"

Carolyn
Risell
 

Assistant Coach

Coaching Experience: Carolyn has been an assistant coach with Perkiomen Valley Aquatic Club since 1998 and also assisted with the pre-team in those years. In the past, Carolyn has also taught swim lessons and was a certified lifeguard at Skippack Pool.

Personal: Carolyn has two children, both graduates of PV High School. Son Matthew attends Penn College for construction management and plays club hockey. Daughter Laura attends Washington College as a biology major in the pre-med program and swims. She resides in Skippack Township and has been involved in swimming since she was 6 years of age. In her career as a swimmer, she swam for Skippack Swim Team, Pottstown YMCA, Methacton Aquatic Club and Perkiomen Valley Aquatic Club.

Achievements: Carolyn has earned as Associates Degree in Human Services. She is a PA State certified Emergence Medical Technician and also has current certifications in AHA, CPR, and the Red Cross coaches’ safety course. Carolyn has her USA coaches’ certification

Philosophy of Coaching:  “They say once you have experienced the sport of swimming, it’s in your blood and stays with you forever. A gold medal, friendship, teamwork, personal best, leadership and fun is what the sport is all about. I love swimming and get excited watching the athletes achieve goals that they set for themselves. Being here for several years, I have had the pleasure of watching several swimmers grow into a sport. I believe the sport of swimming teaches the swimmer a life lesson of working hard, and achieving rewarding results.”

Sue

Underwood

Assistant Coach

Coaching Experience: Sue is excited to return for her second year as a PVAC assistant coach. Last season was a great on the job learning experience and during the off-season, she has furthered her swimming education by completing the course work to become a USA coach and an ASCA Level I coach. She is also a Certified Swimming Instructor at the Spring Valley YMCA where she teaches preschool age children and private lessons.

Personal: Sue and her husband Ross are from Tucson, Arizona. They met in high school, got married, had kids, (Cole, 16 and Seth, 14 - both PVAC swimmers.) and then embarked upon a 15-year global tour that included extended stints in Mexico, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, before returning (for good!) stateside in 2005.

Achievements: Sue started swimming when she was eight years old, in what was then called the AAU league, was a two-time captain of her high school swim team, held Lifeguarding and WSI credentials. She is currently Lifeguard certified and involved in Masters swimming. Following graduation from the University of Arizona (2008 NCAA swimming champs!), Sue embarked upon a successful sales career that eventually gave way to motherhood and globetrotting.

Philosophy of Coaching: "In coaching age group swimming, as coaching kids in any sport, a balance between fun and hard work is vital. If a child is not having some amount of fun, they will not stick with the sport. Similarly, if the child does not see some measure of improvement, they will not stick with the sport. (At least not voluntarily!) It is a coach's job to provide an instructive training program, a motivational training program, through which the swimmer will be able to measure his or her own individual success as well as see their contribution to a team effort."

Erin

Focht

Assistant Coach

Coaching Experience: This is Erin’s second year coaching PVAC and she is very excited to start this season. She had so much fun last year getting to know everyone and can’t wait to do it again! She has taught swim lessons for six years, including private lessons. She also has assisted with a stroke and turn clinic with PVAC.

Personal:  Erin graduated from Perkiomen Valley High School in 2006. She is currently a senior at Temple University and is majoring in Elementary and Special Education. She is student teaching in the spring and graduating in May! She has been swimming on a competitive team since she was nine years old. She swam on the PV High School swim team all four years. Erin also swam on the Skippack swim team and on PVAC for many years. She enjoys reading, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family.

Achievements: Erin was a captain of the PV High School swim team her senior year and learned many leadership skills from the opportunity. She has been a lifeguard for six years and is certified in CPR, AED, and first aid.

Philosophy of Coaching:   “Swimming is a sport that emphasizes hard work, dedication, and teamwork. I think every swimmer should be looked at as an individual. I want to instill a love of swimming into each child and show them how fun being a part of a team is.”

Tim

Kronstain

Assistant Coach

Coaching Experience: This is Tim's first year with PVAC. He was the head boys coach of MAC during the ’06-‘07 and ’07-’08 seasons where he helped get their swim program running again. He was also an assistant swim coach for Towamencin Swim Team during the summers of ’99-’02.

Personal:  Tim grew up in Lansdale, PA. He attended North Penn High School and graduated from Shippensburg University with a BSBA in Finance. He currently lives with his wife in Royersford, PA. They’ve been married for two years now and are expecting twins in March! He currently works for K’NEX Brands in their Product Development Group. He is also a Red Cross Instructor and co-instructs the lifeguarding course at PV. He is also professionally certified in CPR, AED, and First Aid.

Achievements: Tim started swimming for Towamencin Swim Team and NPAC when he was 12 years old. He swam and played water polo for North Penn High School. He qualified for PIAA District Champs all four years and was a member of the state team during his junior and senior year. He was also a captain of the swim team and a varsity starter in water polo during hisim's senior year.  He swam his first two years for Shippensburg University and competed at the PSAC Championship Meet both years.

Philosophy of Coaching:   Tim preaches the philosophy of “Swimming in 3-D.” Dedication, Discipline & Determination will not only help you see improvements in the pool, but will help you succeed in other areas throughout the rest of your life. He strongly believes in setting goals and being mindful of them at practice. Challenge yourself and others through friendly competition. Keep chasing that faster swimmer in front of you and rise to a higher level of training. Always give your best effort, and most importantly, have fun in the process!

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