Coaches & Directors

We are here to support your needs. If your questions are related to workouts, meets, events, goal setting, and other swimming related needs, please contact one of the coaches. For all questions related to administrative, such as dues, safety, or policy issues, please contact one of the board members.
Coaching Staff

Chad D Englehart

Head Coach and Senior Coach

Email

Chad is starting his 14th year with SWAC and his 20th year as a swimming coach. Chad began his competitive swimming career with the New Haven Barracudas of the Fort Wayne City League and continued through college with the University of Kansas Jayhawks. During his 16 years as a competitive swimmer, Chad won two Illinois State titles and an Indiana State title, set an Indiana State Championship record, and won two individual collegiate Big 8 Conference Championship titles. While at Kansas, Chad was also a member of the Academic All-Big 8 Conference team and was a four-time winner of the Jayhawk Scholar award for outstanding academic achievement.

Chad began coaching when he was 16 as a developmental coach for the Decatur Swim Club in Decatur, IL. As a developmental coach, Chad came to realize his love for coaching and working with young people. While attending college, Chad spent 3 years as the Head Coach for the New Haven Barracudas.  Chad’s teams finished in the top 3 at the Fort Wayne City Championships all three years, including a Runner-up finish in his second year.

Chad graduated from the University of Kansas in 1994 with a BSE in Chemistry and Physical Sciences. He then returned to Indiana and received his Teacher’s license in 1995. While working towards his Indiana teacher’s license, he spent a year as the Head Coach for both the boys and girls swimming and diving teams at Concordia Lutheran High School.

SWAC hired Chad as its first ever year round, full time coach in the spring of 1995.  The following year he was hired as the Head Coach for the Homestead High School Boys Swim and Dive team.  In the fall of 2000, Chad completed the circle being named as the Head Coach for the Homestead High School Girls Swim and Dive team.   Chad’s Record as the Homestead Coach

Over the past 12 years Chad’s swimmers have:

  • Won eight individual USA Swimming State Championship Titles
  • Won Five individual Indiana High School State Championship Titles
  • Won 2 Indiana State High School relay titles
  • Set 3 individual USA Swimming Indiana State records
  • Won 23 individual USA Swimming State runners-up titles
  • Been awarded 18 individual USA Swimming National Top 16 awards, including an individual number 1 ranking
  • Qualified SWAC swimmers for the U.S. Olympic Trials in both 2000 and 2004
  • Been awarded over 60 National High School All-American certificates
  • The Homestead Boys Team was the 2004 and 2006 Indiana State Championship Runner-up

Over the past 12 years Chad professionally has:

  • Nominated for Indiana Senior Coach of the Year 4 times
  • 4 time High School Sectional Coach of the Year
  • 13 time High School Conference Coach of the Year
  • Indiana Swimming’s Club Coach of the Year in 2001
  • Indiana State High School Boys Coach of the Year in 2004
  • Awarded 3 citations for outstanding educational performance by Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers®

In addition to building SWAC’s tradition of success, Chad also strives to advance the sport of swimming in the State of Indiana.  He has served as a member of Indiana Swimming’s Board of Directors for the last eight years. 

Kendra McKaig

Senior Assistant

Email

Scott Lazoff

Head Age Group Coach and Gold Coach

Email

Coach Scott became a part of the SWAC coaching staff in 2004.  Despite his short time with the team, he has already proven to be an important and valuable asset to the program.  Before joining SWAC, he had 7 years of USS club coaching experience in the Fort Wayne area and coached boys swimming at Snider High School for four years until 2003.  He has led his swimmers to great success and has been recognized by his peers for coaching excellence.

Professionally, Scott has:

  • Nominated as Indiana Swimming’s Age Group Coach of the Year in 2005
  • Staff member on USA Swimming’s Catch the Spirit Swim Camp in 2005 and 2006
  • Current member of Indiana Swimming’s Age Group Planning committee
  • Produced 4 Indiana State Age Group Champions
  • Led swimmers to numerous Top-16 national rankings
  • High School Sectional Coach of the Year in 2003

In addition to coaching for SWAC, Scott teaches middle school science at Summit Middle School

Jeff Marble

Silver Coach

Email

Jeff brings over a decade of coaching experience to the SWAC staff.  He started the Homestead High School swim team in 1990 and spent 11 seasons at the helm.  He was named high school conference and sectional coach of the year numerous times and was widely respected as one of the states’ finest coaches.  His high school swimmers achieved dozens of National All-American standards and 3 individual State Championships.  After a short sabbatical to help raise his 2 boys Jeff is back on the deck and anxious to help a new patch of blossoming stars.  Jeff spends his days as a 5th grade teacher for Haverhill Elementary

Steve Keefer

Bronze Coach

Email

Derek Wetli

Tiger Shark Coach and Bronze Assistant

Email

Alan Carter

Tiger Shark Assistant

Email

Bruce Graham

Barracuda Coach

Email

Lynn Preston

Piranha Coach

Email

Lynn is entering her second year with SWAC.   She brings a wealth of competitive swimming experience and leadership to the younger swimmers.  Lynn swam throughout high school and college.  She was the team captain of the Calvin College Swim Team as a Junior and Senior.  She has coaches and taught lessons for the past 8 years in Michigan and Fort Wayne.  She is currently putting her Elementary Education degree to good use with Fort Wayne Community Schools.

Ryan Preston

Piranha Assistant

Email

Kim Wannemacher

Betta Fish Coach

Email

Kim is joining the SWAC family for the first time this season.  She comes to us via the Huntington-Wells Otters swim team where she worked with their 10-under swimmers.  She brings with her over 20 years of swim instruction experience and a true love for teaching young swimmers.  Kim currently works as a swim lessons instructor for the Jorgensen YMCA helping to prepare future SWAC swimmers for the team.

Jill Hoos

general assistant

Email

Jill brings over a decade of competitive swimming experience to SWAC.  She grew up in West Lafayette, Indiana, as a successful age group and high school swimmer.  After receiving her elementary teaching degree from Purdue University she quickly found her way back to the pool.   This past winter she was the head swim coach for Woodside Middle school and is currently the head swim coach for the Sycamore Hills Summer Swim Club.  Jill’s teaching strengths are communication (with parents and swimmers) and skill development.

Ian Tesch

Barracuda Assistant

Email

PATRICK D SMITH

Barracuda Assistant

Email

Board of Directors

Dr. B. P House

President

Email

Dr. Brett Hagedorn

Vice President

Email

Jeff Krivacs

Treasurer

Email

Andrea Lohman

Secretary

Email

Jim Cook

Fundraising Chair

Email

Dr. Tom Herendeen

membership director

Email

Melissa Heinerich

Competition Director

Email

Ashlie Taivalkoski

At Large Member

Email

Peg Carter

At Large Member

Email

Chad D Englehart

Head Coach

Email

Diane Wilson

Administrative Assistant (staff)

Email

Dave Nowak

Membership

Email