Lara Preacco, PhD

Owner, CEO, Program Director & FAU Head Coach

Former Florida Atlantic University swimmer Lara Preacco, PhD, joined the men's and women's coaching staff in May of 2012 as an assistant, and two years later, was elevated to head coach. Preacco is in her tenth season at the helm of the program, a position she has held since 2014.

Preacco swam for the Owls from 1994 to 1998 when the University was in the early stages of Division I status. She was also an assistant coach for the team from 1998-2001, while earning her master's degree, in Mental Health Counseling. While she earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from FAU, she went to Western Michigan University to obtain her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology.

She represented both FAU and her home country of Switzerland at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, and was inducted into the FAU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. Preacco is the second member of an FAU coaching staff, along with former swimming assistant coach Oliver Agh, to be both an FAU Athletics Hall-of-Famer and a former Olympic competitor.

Prior to coming to FAU, Preacco set five Swiss national records and captured 38 gold medals while competing at the Swiss National Championships from 1983 to 1997. At FAU, she was team MVP in 1995-96 and team captain the following season.

Besides her impressive résumé in the pool, Preacco also earned Honorable Mention in the All-American Scholar Excellence rankings, while placing on the FAU Dean's List four times and President's List three times.

Preacco’s Head Coaching Highlights

• Thirty-Seven Conference Champions
• Three NCAA Championships participants
• Thirty-four school record holders
• Two C-USA Newcomer of the Year awards
• Two C-USA Freshman Diver of the Year awards
• Two CCSA Diver of the Year awards
• Two CCSA Scholar Athlete of the Year titles
• Five CCSA post-meet awards (CCSA Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet and CCSA Most Outstanding Diver of the Meet)
• 16 CSCAA Scholar All-American Team distinction for women’s swimming & diving
• Nine CSCAA Scholar All-American Team honors for men’s swimming & diving
• Eight CSCAA Scholar All-American Honorable Mention recipients
• Five C-USA All-Academic Team recipients
• Nineteen CCSA Swimmer of the Week and 22 CCSA Diver of the Week award winners
• Seven C-USA Swimmer of the Week and eight C-USA Diver of the Week awards

Under Preacco's leadership

- the women's team marked the best finish for the Owls at the C-USA Championship, as well as the best placing at a conference championship since 2007-08 when the Owls were a part of the Sun Belt Conference.

- the men's team was the runner up at the 2019, 2020, 2022 & 2023 CCSA Championships. This runner up feat marks the best finishes in a Conference Championship for FAU in over 20 years.

Rich Rogers

Head Coach Swimming:

NATIONAL Grp

"COACH RICH"

Florida Atlantic Aquatics (FAA) was happy & excited to welcome Coach Rich Rogers to our newly built Team, in 2022. FAA Families, Athletes and Coaches have done an incredible job in their first two summers and will continue to grow and reach success with Coach Rich’s help and leadership.

Coach Rich has a long history of success growing nationally recognized swim programs. His success is not limited to the elite level, as he has successfully worked with athletes of all ages and abilities. Coach Rich is excited to bring his knowledge and experience to Florida Atlantic Aquatics.

“I am thrilled to be a part of such a young, growing and dynamic swimming organization like FAA.

I want to thank Coach Lara, and her staff, for entrusting me with this great honor. I look forward to working with everyone involved to help build a world class aquatics program right here at FAA. Let’s work hard, work smart and have a lot of fun along the way!”

The Rogers Record

During his second year as Head Coach, Rogers helped the men's team to a third finish at the 2024 Age Group Champs and the ladies in twenty third, with a ninth overall for FAA (from thirteenth in 2023).

Coach Rich is a program builder. He has built clubs from the ground up to become large, multi-facility organizations as was the Program Director for a USA Swimming Gold Medal Club. As an age group coach, Coach Rich has guided swimmers to hundreds of USA Swimming National Age Group (NAG) Top 16/10 swims and over a dozen NAG National Championships & Records. His age groupers have earned numerous New York, Louisiana and Florida H.S. State championships and All American statuses as well as both NCSA and USA Swimming Junior National Championships; including a Junior National qualifier in every event and a Junior National champion in every stroke. His age group swimmers have made finales at USA Swimming Nationals, made National Teams and have gone on to hold NCAA, US Open, American records and win Olympic Gold.

Rogers has had success in the college ranks as well, working with athletes at both the University of Tampa (DII) and at the University of New Orleans (DI). Rogers helped those athletes achieve lifetime bests and implemented strategies that saw some of those athletes go home to their native countries and win National titles. Coach Rich shined as a Masters coach as well, and helped many adults swim faster than they did as age groupers or collegiate athletes; earning many Zone, National and World Masters titles along the way.

“I love swimming. It has been a blessing to me and my family for many years. Helping people reap the benefits of engaging in a healthy, lifelong activity is my main motivator each day. Putting together programs and training plans to meet that goal is a skill that I have honed over the years. All things are possible with a clear vision, a solid plan and the willingness to get up and do the work, day in and day out.”

Coach Rich and his recently departed wife Andrea, happily worked together to raise three Elite Athletes; two swimmers and one hockey player. Coach Rich understands how important each child is to their family and works hard to ensure that each one gets the attention they need to not only develop properly as an athlete but enjoy their time in the sport and grow as a person. Coach Rich knows that this is important regardless of the swimmer’s abilities or goals in the sport. He also knows the importance of constant communication with every members, so the families all understand and internalize the vision and mission of the programs we run here at FAA.

While these may seem like obvious high priority concerns, Coach Rich has witnessed far too many coaches and programs take their families and swimmers for granted. This is especially true as programs grow and get larger in scope. For Florida Atlantic Aquatics to have true long-term success, he and his staff will work to ensure to instill a sense of family and fun within the culture of the organization. Making this mindset an integral part of the organization's DNA has been the cornerstone of most of Rogers’ successes over the decades; especially as his past programs have grown in size and scope.

Coach Rich feels that he has been fortunate to have seen the sport as an athlete, novice coach, age group coach, senior coach, collegiate coach, Masters coach and parent. This unique 360-degree view of swimming allows him to help design programs that are developmentally appropriate for swimmers of all levels to meet or exceed their goals; whether those goals are to stay fit or to make a national team.

Coach Rich feels that his experiences have helped him create environments that empower swimmers and their families to take ownership of their process. Rogers past teams have been recognized nationally for swimmers who have strong technical skills, vast time improvements and, most importantly, for having happy, long term scholar athletes stay in the program and the sport.

“I try to pass on my love of the sport to my athletes and their families. We do this by fostering an environment where the individual is appreciated and the on-deck atmosphere is fun, yet focused. Goal setting is a priority as is proper technique, dryland, race strategies and all aspects of mental training. Addressing all these concerns throughout the course of each season is a major part of my philosophy. An educated swimmer (and family) will be successful and happy for many years, both in and out of the pool.”

Eddie Fernandez

Stroke Coach

"COACH EDDIE"

Meet our esteemed Stroke Coach Eddie Fernandez, a dedicated and experienced professional with a passion for swimming.

With 25 years of coaching experience, Coach Eddie has consistently helped swimmers of all ages and skill levels achieve their goals in the pool. Despite facing career ending injuries for what would have been a promising NFL career, Eddie turned adversity into opportunity and emerged as a successful entrepreneur.

Eddie’s coaching journey includes six influential years as the head coach of the Irockets USA swim team in Vermont and currently coaching at the YMCA Peter Blum Family of Boca Raton.

He is known for an impressive track record of coaching recreational swimmers to Junior Olympics and NCSA Championships, as well as enhancing the performance of multiple high school Teams; through his dedication, expertise and ability to inspire swimmers.

Thank you Coach Eddie !!!

Nick Shaffer

Lead Age Group Swim Coach:

NATIONAL DEP. Grp

&

Summer Camp Counselor

&

ADMIN: Swimming / Lessons

"COACH NICK" 

Major

• Biological Sciences
• Graduated FAU in 2025

Career Accolades

• School record holder in 200 IM, 400 IM, 800 free relay
• Freshman record holder in 200 IM, 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 400 medley relay
• 2025 ASUN gold medalist in 400 IM
• 2025 ASUN gold medalist in 800 free relay
• 2024 ASUN bronze medalist in 400 medley relay
• 2023 CCSA silver medalist in 400 IM
• 2023 CCSA bronze medalist in 200 IM
• 2022-23 CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• 2021-22 CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll

Career Best Times at FAU

• 50 Free – 20.88 at 2024 Patriot Invitational (11/21/24)
• 100 Back – 49.17 at 2024 ASUN Championships (2/22/24)
• 200 Back – 1:47.57 at 2024 ASUN Championships (2/24/24)
• 200 Breast – 2:04.03 at 2022 Patriot Invitational (11/19/22)
• 100 Fly – 49.15 at 2025 ASUN Championships (2/21/25)
• 200 Fly – 1:49.26 at 2023 CCSA Championships (2/17/23)
• 100 IM – 51.12 at 2022 CCSA Championships (2/18/22)
• 200 IM – 1:46.82 at 2023 CCSA Championships (2/15/23) 
• 400 IM – 3:48.79 at 2023 CCSA Championships (2/16/23)

Senior (2024-25)

• Opened senior year against Indian River with a second place finish in the 200 IM (1:57.38)
• Earned first win of the season in the 200 IM (1:55.87) at the TYR Fall Classic
• Finished second in the 200 back (1:54.93) in a tri-meet featuring Nova Southeastern/Barry/FAU
• Victorious in the 400 IM (3:53.03) at the midseason Patriot Invitational
• Finished FAU career with two gold medals at the ASUN championships, winning the 400 IM (3:51.55) and 800 free relay

Junior (2023-24)

• Finished in third place in the 200 IM (1:57.13) against Indian River
• Swam to third place in the 200 back (1:55.03) versus Nova
• Tallied third place in the 400 IM (4:12.86) at the TYR Fall Classic
• Victorious in the 100 back (52.36) and placed in second in the 200 IM (1:56.71) at Florida Gulf Coast
• Took first place in the 200 back (1:54.82) and third place in the 200 IM (1:55.48) against Keiser
• Part of the school record setting 200 free relay team (1:19.55) at the midseason Patriot Invitational, also placed in second in the 400 IM (3:53.45)
• Won the 200 back (1:51.24) versus St. Thomas
• Earned the bronze medal as part of the 400 medley relay while setting the program record (3:12.82) and finished in fifth place in the 400 IM (3:52.87) at the ASUN Championship

Sophomore (2022-23)

• Won the 200 IM (1:55.66) against St. Thomas 
• Showcased school record-setting performances at the CCSA Championships in the 200 IM (1:46.82), winning a bronze medal, as well as the 400 IM (3:48.79) for the silver medal
• Placed in 10th in the 400 IM (4:29.93) at the TYR Pro Swim Series 

Freshman (2021-22)

• Captured the silver in the 400 IM (3:54.39) at the CCSA Championships (2/14/22)
• Earned the bronze and set the FAU freshman record in the 200 IM (1:49.31) at the CCSA Championships (2/17/22)
• Set the FAU freshman record in the 100 IM (51.12) at the CCSA Championships (2/18/22)
• Finished in second place in the 400 IM (3:57.35) at the Patriot Invitational (11/18/22)
• Won the 200 IM (1:56.27) against St. Thomas (1/21/22)

High School

• Held All-American consideration times on three different occasions, twice in the 200 IM and once in the 100 back
• FHSAA 2A State Champion in the 200 IM (1:50.38)
• FHSAA 2A State bronze medalist in the 100 back (51.46)
• Two-time FHSAA 2A State Champion with back-to-back titles
• No. 42 swimmer in his class out of Florida, according to Swimcloud
• Coached by his father Bill Shaffer at Jesuit High School
• Swam for Academy Aquatic Club

Personal

• Born September 2002, in Tampa, Florida
• Majoring in Biological Sciences
• Son of Liz and Bill Shaffer
• Enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the beach and playing spikeball

Taylor Eaton

Age Group Swim Coach:

BLUE Grp

&

Summer Camp Counselor

"COACH TAYLOR" 

Major

• Biological Sciences and Entrepreneurship
• Senior

Career Accolades

• Freshman record holder in 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
• 2022-23 CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• 2021-22 CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll

Career Best Times at FAU

• 100 Back – 49.26 at 2024 ASUN Championships (2/23/24)
• 200 Back – 1:47.81 at 2024 ASUN Championships (2/24/24)
• 100 Breast – 59.32 versus St. Thomas (1/20/24)
• 100 Fly – 50.35 at 2023 Patriot Invitational (11/17/23)
• 200 IM – 1:50.05 at 2024 ASUN Championships (2/21/24)

Junior (2023-24)

• Took fourth place in the 100 back (52.62) and 200 back (1:55.33) versus Keiser
• Earned third place in the 200 back finals (1:47.93) at the Patriot Invitational
• Tallied a pair of third place finishes in the 100 breast (59.32) and 200 back (1:52.03) against St. Thomas

Sophomore (2022-23)

• Tallied a third-place finish in the 200 IM (1:59.35) against Florida
• Led the way for the Owls with a sixth place fiish in the 200 back (1:49.15) at the CCSA Championships 
• Placed in 22nd in the 200 back (2:10.38) at the TYR Pro Swim Series 

Freshman (2021-22)

• Tallied fifth place in the 200 Back (1:49.03) at the CCSA Championships 
• Placed second in the 200 Back (1:58.45) against St. Thomas 
• Finished in seventh place in the 100 Back (50.01) at the Patriot Invitational 
• Member of the freshman record setting relay teams in the 200 Free (1:22.90), 400 Free (3:04.93), 200 Medley (1:32.30), 400 Medley (3:21.86)

High School

• Tabbed as a Scholastic All-American
• Recognized as a First Team All-State recipient
• Holds high school record in the 200 free relay
• Celebrated as a 200 free relay All-American
• Tabbed as a two-time 6A State Champion
• Logged the bronze medal in the 100 back at 6A State
• Swam for Dynamo Swim Club
• Qualifier for winter and summer junior nationals
• No. 27 swimmer in his class out of Georgia, according to Swimcloud

Personal

• Born February 2003, in Georgia
• Biological Sciences and Entrepreneurship major
• Son of Julie and John Eaton
• Interesting hobbies include fishing, snowboarding, boating and golfing

Logan Thornsberry

Age Group Swim Coach:

- GRAY Grp

- Stroke ACADEMY

&

Summer Camp Counselor

"COACH LOGAN"

Major

• Criminal Justice
• Graduated FAU in 2025

Career Accolades

• School record holder in the 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 800 free relay
• Freshman record holder in 400 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay
• 2025 ASUN Championships gold medalist in 800 free relay
• 2025 ASUN Championships silver medalist in 200 free relay
• 2025 ASUN Championships silver medalist in 400 free relay
• 2025 ASUN Championships bronze medalist in 200 medley relay
• 2024 ASUN Championships bronze medalist in 800 free relay
• 2023 CCSA silver medalist in 500 free

Career Best Times at FAU

• 50 Free – 20.18 at 2025 ASUN Championships (2/19/25)
• 100 Free – 44.46 at 2024 Patriot Invitational (11/23/24)
• 200 Free – 1:37.77 at 2025 ASUN Championships (2/20/25)
• 500 Free – 4:27.82 at 2023 CCSA Championships (2/15/23)
• 1000 Free – 9:22.02 at 2024 CSCAA National Invitational Championships (3/16/24)
• 1650 Free – 15:31.42 at 2023 CCSA Championships (2/18/23)
• 100 Breast – 1:03.76 at FAU Fun Invite (12/20/23)
• 100 Fly – 50.29 at 2022 Patriot Invitational (11/18/22)

Senior (2024-25)

• Opened senior campaign with a win in the 100 free (46.16) against Indian River
• Earned a second straight victory in the 100 free (45.85) at the TYR Fall Classic
• Finished second in the 50 free (21.41) at a tri-meet featuring Nova Southeastern/Barry/FAU
• Had a pair of third place finishes in the 100 free (44.46) and 1650 free (15:44.41) at the Patriot Invitational
• Competed at the 2024 Toyota U.S. Open
• Walked away from the ASUN Championships with four medals including gold in the 800 free relay which also broke the school record

Junior (2023-24)

• Opened season with a win in the 1000 free (9:48.22) against Indian River
• Took second place in the 1000 free (9:46.65) versus Nova
• Earned second place in the 500 free (4:39.73) at the TYR Fall Classic
• Won the 200 free (1:42.01) at Florida Gulf Coast
• Victorious in the 1000 free (9:40.61) against Keiser
• Part of school record setting 200 free relay team (1:19.55) and finished in second place in the 1650 free (15:36.41) at the Patriot Invitational
• Earned a bronze medal as a member of the school record setting 800 free relay team (6:32.17) at the ASUN Championships

Sophomore (2022-23)

• Racked up second place finishes in the 200 free (1:41.65) and 500 free (4:40.74) at the TYR Fall Classic
• Winner of the 200 free (1:40.75) against Keiser 
• Earned second place in the 1650 free (15:46.36) at the Patriot Invitational 
• Reached the podium as a silver medalist in the 500 free (4:27.82) at the CCSA Championships 
• Member of the record-setting 200 free relay (1:19.98), 400 free relay (2:56.28), and 800 free relay (6:32.57) teams at the CCSA Championship 
• Placed in 10th in the 1000 free (9:28.40) at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships

Freshman (2021-22)

• Finished in sixth place in the 500 Free (4:33.29) at the CCSA Championships 
• Winner of the 100 Free (46.18) against St. Thomas 
• Placed in sixth in the 200 Free (1:41.25) at the Patriot Invitational 
• Tallied third place in the 1000 Free (9:52.91) against Princeton 
• Member of the freshman record setting relay teams in the 200 Free (1:22.90), 400 Free (3:04.93), 200 Medley (1:32.30), 400 Medley (3:21.86)

High School

• Received All-America swimming honors in the 200 free relay
• Seminole High School record holder in the 200 and 400 free relays
• Recognized as the Pinellas County Swimmer of the Year
• Was a state finalist all four years in high school
• Swam for Coach Spurgeon and Coach Cox at Seminole HS
• Graduated cum laude
• Member of West Florida Lightning Aquatics
• Named Most Valuable Swimmer for club team
• No. 27 swimmer in his class out of Florida

Personal

• Born January 2003, in St. Petersburg, Florida
• Majoring in criminal justice
• Son of Scott and Erika Thornsberry
• Interesting hobbies include fishing/shark fishing, hanging out with friends, boating and playing spikeball and volleyball

Alik Sarkisian

Head Diving Coach

"COACH ALIK"

Alik Sarkisian was named Head Diving coach for Florida Atlantic University ahead of the 2022-23 season, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a proven record of success.

Prior to joining FAU, he spent three years as the head diving coach at UNLV.

Before his time at UNLV, Sarkisian served 13 seasons (2006–2019) as the head diving coach at Northwestern University in Chicago. Under his leadership, Northwestern divers achieved remarkable success, earning gold, silver, and bronze medals in the Big Ten 1-meter, 3-meter, and platform events.

He also coached the NCAA Division I 10-meter platform champion in both 2017 and 2018.

In recognition of his accomplishments, Sarkisian was named Big Ten Coach of the Year and CSCAA Coach of the Year in 2018.

Daphne Wils

Lead Age Group Dive Coach

&

ADMIN: Diving

"COACH DAPHNE"

Daphne Wils comes from the Netherlands, via University of Hawaii and Penn State.

Career Accolades: 

• Winner of the L.D. MacNeill Award & Elizabeth McCoy Most Outstanding Athlete Award (2023).
• B1G Diver of the week (2023) after leading the Nittany Lions to victory against West Virginia and setting a pair of then-school and pool records in the 1 and 3 Meter dives. 
• Academic All-Big Ten (2024)

2022-23 (SR+):

• NCAA Championships (3/16-17): Competed in the 1 Meter (259.50) and 3 Meter (237.60) for 24th and 43rd place. 
• NCAA Diving Zones (3/6-8): Qualified for NCAAs, winning the 1 Meter by over 20 points (610.80) and scoring within the top 12 of the 3 Meter (560.80).
• B1G Championships (2/15-18): Became the first female diver to advance to finals from Penn State in the past decade with two A Final appearances in the 1 Meter and 3 Meter, placing 4th (311.45) and 7th (317.25).
• v Army (1/13): Broke four records – earning the school and pool record in both the 1-Meter and 3-Meter dives with scores of 330.90 and 356.55. 
• NC State Invitational (11/17-19): Won the 1 (315.80) and 3-Meter (334.60).

Personal:

• Daughter of Annemieke van Leeuwen and Rob Wils.
• Has two siblings, Berend (18) and Koen (23).
• Graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in sociology.
• Has competed with TeamNL since 2011 with coach Ramon de Meijer, placing third in the European Championships and eighth at World Championships for synchronized diving.
• Named the Dutch National Champion since 2018.

Cica Carvalho

Swim Lesson Instructor

&

Summer Camp Counselor

"COACH CICA" 

Major

• Economics
• Senior

Career Accolades

• Named CSC Academic All-District (2025)

Career Best Times at FAU

• 50 Free – 26.65 at Nova Southeastern/Barry/FAU (10/11/24)
• 100 Free – 54.49 at Nova Southeastern/Barry/FAU (10/11/24)
• 1650 Free – 16:59.03 at 2024 Patriot Invitational (11/21/24)
• 50 Fly – 27.82 at Nova Southeastern/Barry/FAU (10/11/24)
• 100 Fly – 57.67 at Nova Southeastern/Barry/FAU (10/11/24)
• 200 Fly – 2:04.42 at 2024 Patriot Invitational (11/23/24)
• 400 IM – 4:26.63 at 2024 Patriot Invitational (11/22/24)

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

• Open her career versus Indian River where she won the 500 free (5:08.05) and 1000 free (10:27.53) 
• At the TYR Fall Classic posted another first place finish in the 500 free (5:05.56)
• Posted a pair of first place finishes in the 200 free (1:54.34) and 500 free (5:03.46) in a dual meet versus Keiser
• At the Patriot Invitational grabbed herself another first place finish in the 500 free (4:53.27)
• In a dual meet versus FIU had another pair of first place finishes in the 500 free (5:07.28) and 1000 free (10:25.07)
• At the American Athletic Conference Championships finished seventh in the 1650 free (17:00.36)
• Competed in the CSCAA National Invitational Championship in three different events

At McKendree University (2022-24)

• Holds 1650,1000, 500, 800 relay school records 

Sophomore (2023-24)

• 2023-24 Brother James Gaffney Scholar
• 2023-24 Academic All-GLVC
• 2023-2024 CSCAA Second Team All-American 

Freshman (2022-23)

• 2022-23 Academic All-GLVC

High School

• Attended Colégio Loyola
• Swam for Minas Tênis Clube under Head Coach Sergio Marques

Personal

• Born August 2003, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
• Daughter of Jaqueline Oliveira and Marcos Bacellar
• Majoring in Economics
• Hobbies include cooking and reading
• Professional goal is working in the economics field in a company with a good culture and that is welcoming. Plans to get a master’s degree

Bella Answeeney

Swim Lesson Instructor

&

Seasonal Swim Team (SST)

"COACH BELLA" 

Major

• 
  
• Sophomore

At NC State University (2023-24)

• Swam in five meets for the Wolfpack
• Finished in first place in the 200 YD backstroke at the NC State/GAC Invitational with a time of 2:01.37
• Had top 10 finishes in the 100 YD fly three times- Bulldog NCAA Qualifying meet (56.74-10th), NC State vs. UNC-Wilmington (56.39-6th), NC State vs. Texas (56.03)

Personal

• State champion in 100 butterfly and runner-up in 100 backstroke 
• Junior Nationals bronze medalist in the 200 butterfly 
• Academic All American 
• Best Buddies Club Coordinator 
• Likes to volunteer at the Clearwater Marine aquarium
• Hometown: Tampa, FL

Ethan Udagawa

Swim Lesson Instructor

"COACH ETHAN"

College

• Sophomore

High School

• Swim Tampa Aquatics

Personal

• Born in
• Majoring in Biology

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

Nick Shaffer



Lead Age Group Swim Coach:

NATIONAL DEP. Grp

&

ADMIN: Swimming / Lessons

Daphne Wils

Lead Age Group Dive Coach:

ADMIN: Diving

Pol Roch

FAA & FAU Assistant Swim Coach

&

ADMIN: Masters / Camps

Shane Davis

Lifeguard Instructor

"Shane"   is our Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Instructor. 

He has been helping us, and many in South Florida, with Lifeguard Certifications for many years.

He has been certifying Lifeguards for more than a decade.

You can always find Shane on a pool deck.

JR Ayers

Lifeguard Instructor

"JR"    is one of our Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Master. 

He has over 40 years of aquatic experience teaching and working. He is a former Beach Lifeguard and Beach Patrol Chief for Sarasota County, Florida. He is currently employed at Florida Atlantic University as the Data Analyst for Research. 

JR has been very active in aquatics, fitness, and martial arts since 1980 and a Fitness Coach for collegiate and professional athletes when he worked for NIKE. For the past 40 plus years he has been a waterman and a Martial Arts Instructor. He holds a black belt in three different martial arts and is a former US Military Karate Champion of Europe. 

You can find JR on the pool deck coaching at lunchtime.