Meet FAA MASTERS Coaching Staff

Payne Smith

Masters Coach & Lifeguard

"COACH PAYNE"

Major

• Business Administration
• Senior

 
Career Accolades

• 2022-23 C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• 2022-23 C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal

Career Best Times at FAU

• 50 Free – 20.88 at 2024 ASUN Championships (2/21/24)
• 100 Free – 45.55 at 2024 Patriot Invitational (11/23/24)
• 200 Free – 1:41.38 at 2024 Patriot Invitational (11/22/24)
• 100 Breast – 1:01.84 at 2024 ASUN Championships (2/24/24)
• 100 Fly – 53.04 at the 2024 Patriot Invitational (11/22/24)

Junior (2024-25)

• Took fifth place in the 50 free (22.32) in a tri-meet featuring Nova Southeastern/Barry/FAU
• Had a pair of fifth place finishes in the 50 free (22.06) and 200 free (1:44.92) versus Keiser 
• Finished tenth at the Patriot Invitational in the 100 free (45.55)
• Stepped up at the ASUN Championships scoring points in both diving events, helping the team to a runners-up finish

Sophomore (2023-24)

• Finished in sixth place in the 200 free (1:45.41) versus Indian River
• Took second place in the 50 free (22.15) at Florida Gulf Coast
• Swam to sixth place in the 50 free (21.90) against Keiser

Freshman (2022-23)

• Began collegiate career with a third-place finish in the 50 free (21.75) against Indian River (9/23/22)
• Impressed with a third-place finish in the 100 fly (55.43) at the Patriot Invitational (11/18/22)
• Finished in fourth place in the 100 free (47.87) against Florida (1/13/23)

High School

• Swam for Washington Community High School under head coach Tom Smith

Personal

• Born October 2003, in Peoria, IL.
• Majoring in Business Administration
• Goal is to finish his degree and chase excellent grades and titles during college years
• Son of Tom and Julie Smith
• Hobbies include swimming, fishing, and spending time with family

Rush Clark

Masters Coach & Lifeguard

"COACH RUSH"

Major

• Business
• Senior

Career Accolades

• School record holder in 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 400 medley relay
• 2025 ASUN Championships silver medalist in 200 free relay
• 2025 ASUN Championships silver medalist in 400 free relay
• 2025 ASUN Championships silver medalist in 400 medley relay
• 2025 ASUN Championships bronze medalist in 200 medley relay

Career Best Times at FAU

• 100 Free – 45.14 at 2025 ASUN Championships (2/22/25)
• 100 Fly – 47.38 at 2025 ASUN Championships (2/20/23)
• 200 Fly – 1:48.64 at 22025 ASUN Championships (2/21/25)

Senior (2024-25) ... at Florida Atlantic

• Open the season with a sixth place finish in the 1000 free (10:37.66)
• Recorded three top 10 finishes at the Patriot Invitational, fourth in the 100 fly (48.14), fifth in the 200 fly (1:50.72), and seventh in the 100 back (49.93)
• Competed at the 2024 Toyota U.S. Open
• Grabbed first win of the season in the 200 fly (1:49.72) in a dual meet versus St. Thomas
• Competed in three event finals at the ASUN championships including a fifth place finish in the 100 fly (47.38)

Junior (2023-24) ... at Florida Atlantic

• Competed in first collegiate race in almost two years at Miami, recording a time of 51.94 in the 100 fly at Miami
• Took fifth place in the 100 fly (53.33) at the FAU Invite
• Recorded times of 21.55 in the 50 free and 50.89 in the 100 fly at the ASUN Championships

College (2020-22)

• Two-time ACC Conference Team member

High School

• Competed at Creighton Preparatory School under coach Tom Beck
• Nine-time All-American swimming honors
• Two-time school record holder 
• State record holder 

Personal

• Born in Omaha, Ne.
• Majoring in business
• Son of Andrew and Jennifer Clark
• Grandpa played for New York Yankees
• Professional goals are to own a supplement company, coach collegiately, and serve as a coast guard rescue swimmer
• Hobbies include listening to country music and teaching private swim lessons

Pol Roch

FAA & FAU Assistant Swim Coach

&

ADMIN: Masters / Camps

Phil Lustig

Former Founder & Coach

Thank you to Coach Phil for starting this amazing Masters program years ago.

You have helped many and given up so many of your mornings.

Enjoy your "retirement" from Masters Coaching :)

It will certainly be different not seeing you on deck every day.

We wish you all the best !!!