OPEN

 Head Coach

Coaching Experience:

Personal:

Achievements:

Philosophy of Coaching:

Coaching Experience:

Personal:

Achievements:

Philosophy of Coaching: 

OPEN Girls Head Coach

Rob Bonsall Assistant Coach

Coaching Experience: Rob is currently in his 4th year as assistant coach at PVAC.  He's been designated as the Head Coach for the Masters team.  Rob also has 8 years experience teaching swim lessons and coaching a summer age group team (back in the day!)

Personal: Rob married his high school sweetheart, Pam (they actually met on the swim team!)  Rob & Pam have 3 wonderful daughters ages 8, 11, and 16.  He enjoys lifting weights, water skiing, 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. More recently, 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.

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!"

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 in the summer and  was a certified lifeguard.

Personal: Carolyn has two teenage children in high school (1 boy and 1 girl).  Her daughter currently swims for the PV high school team and for PVAC.  Carolyn is currently employed with the Lower Providence Ambulance. 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 has swam for the Skippack Swim team, Pottstown YMCA, Methacton Aquatic Club and PerkiomenValley Aquatic Club. 

Achievements: Carolyn has earned an associated degree in Human Services.  She is currently the active chief of operations for Skippack Ambulance. She is a PA State certified Emergency Medical Technician and also has current certifications in AHA, CPR, and the Red Cross coaches’ safety course.  Carolyn is currently working on getting 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, fun.  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 can get you rewarding results."

Carolyn
Risell
Assistant Coach

 Brian Zeigler

Head Coach (USA Swimming)

Coaching Experience: Brian is in his 2nd year coaching for PVAC. He has been involved with the Pre-Team program since its beginning and is also co-coordinator of the PV swimming lessons program.  Brian has been a part of the swimming lessons program for five years and was a member of the PVHS swim team from 2001-2005.  This is his eighth year as part of the PVAC program.  In the summer, Brian coaches the Skippack Swim team and lifeguards at Whites Road Pool.  Brian is also an Assistant Coach for the Perkiomen Valley High School team  and holds the title of the Temple Swimming Club President and writes daily practices and arranges meets for that team as well as PVAC.

Personal:  Brian is a junior at Temple University.  He is majoring in Broadcasting, Telecommunications, and Mass Media (BTMM). He is a graduate of Perkiomen Valley High School (2005).    He swam for the Skippack swim team for 11 years including a streak of 55 consecutive meets swam in to end his career. Brian runs meets and announces for the PVHS swim team in the winter, and has become knowledgeable in the Meet Manager and Team Manager software.  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. 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 (as well as mental math skills!!).  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.”