Meet Our Coaches
| Ron Zugelder Head Coach
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Ron’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Canisius College, a Masters of Science in Physical Education from SUNY Brockport and a Masters of Science degree in School Administration from Niagara University. Zugelder brings over thirty years of coaching experience and leadership to the team. In addition to supporting BAAC’s growth and coaching the age group team since 2020, Zugelder has been a successful high school coach for the Lockport High School Girls Varsity Team since 1992 winning the Niagara Frontier League Championships 1996-1997, 2001-2007 and 2023 and Section VI Championships 2002-2007. Zugelder also coached the St Joseph Collegiate Institute swim team to win the Monseigneur Martin Championships from 1995-1998 and the New York State Catholic Championship in 1996. Zugelder has also been the Pool Director for Park Country Club since 2006. |
| Stephen Pochatko Assistant Head Coach
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Stephen brings over a decade of coaching experience across age group, high school, and collegiate levels to his role as Assistant Head Coach at Buffalo Area Aquatic Club. A lifelong swimmer and passionate coach, he is committed to developing well-rounded athletes who excel both in and out of the pool. Stephen’s swimming career includes Starpoint High School, Tonawanda Titans Swim Club, and Canisius College. He was the conference champion in the 100 backstroke during his senior year. Stephen currently serves as Head Coach of the Starpoint High School Girls Varsity Swim Team and Assistant Coach for the Boys Varsity Team. From 2014 to 2019, Stephen served as Assistant Coach and Operations Manager for the Canisius College Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving programs. Stephen began his coaching career with Buffalo City Swim Racers, where he introduced minority and low-income youth to competitive swimming and water safety, blending athletic instruction with academic enrichment and community engagement. |
| Reilly King Lead Age Group Coach
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Reilly was an NCAA Division I swimmer throughout her college career, competing for Siena College and finishing her fifth year at Canisius University while earning her master’s degree in Instructional Technologies and Curriculum Design. She is an assistant swim coach at Williamsville North High School for the Girls Varsity Swim Team. Outside of the pool, Reilly is a high school civics teacher at the Erie County Youth Detention Center in Buffalo. She is passionate about helping young people grow—both in the classroom and in the pool—and is excited to continue sharing her experience, energy, and love for the sport with her swimmers. |
| Kyle Sobon
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Kyle grew up in Kenmore, New York and graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2022 with both a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science; concentrating in American Politics and Public Affairs. He is currently enrolled in SUNY Buffalo’s Law School. Kyle was a competitive gymnast for 7 years and swam throughout middle and high school. He starting coaching in the gymnastics arena and later transitioned to the pool within the Town of Tonawanda. It was there that he worked primarily on stroke development and led several summer swim teams to victory in the season’s end inter-pool meet. Kyle is now a head coach for the Williamsville North Boys Varsity team Joining BAAC in the spring of 2021, Kyle has enjoyed increasing his skill set within stroke mechanics and technique. He loves working with swimmers on stroke refinement and helping them to understand the biomechanics of the different strokes. It’s the little changes that can help them go farther…faster. Kyle works with the Juniors and Seniors. |
| Alana Szewczyk
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Alana is a current Doctor of Physical Therapy student at SUNY Buffalo. She will graduate in May 2023. She earned her undergraduate degree from SUNY Cortland in Exercise Science in 2020 where she was a 4-year member of the women’s swimming and diving team. Alana swam the 100 & 200 breaststroke, was a part of the 200 medley relay and record-setting 400 medley relay at SUNY Cortland. She still holds the 100 breaststroke record at Holland High School. With her physical therapy background, Alana specializes in the dryland exercises and works mainly with the Juniors and Seniors.
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| Jen Drexinger
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Jen is a long time WNY resident with an extensive background in swimming. She lives in Williamsville with her 3 kids. Jen works as the Senior Director, Operations for Centene Corporation (locally known as Fidelis.) She swam for the Eden Dolphins Swim Club and Eden Varsity Swim Team, and attended University at Buffalo; graduating with a dual degree in Psychology and Biology. Jen was a member of the Women’s Crew team during her time at UB. Jen's extensive coaching experience includes: Hamburg Swim Club 2004-2012 (club grew from 50 members to nearly 200 members with regular Eastern Zone qualifiers during her tenure) Eden Varsity Swimming 2003-2007 Depew Modified Swimming 2005-2008 Frontier Varsity Swimming 2008-2012 |
| Sue VanSice
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Sue brings 29 years of professional experience and extensive coaching expertise to our Junior Program. A dedicated employee of the Lockport City School District, Sue currently serves as the CSE Chairperson for grades 9–12. Her coaching resume includes roles as Assistant Head Coach for Lockport Girls’ Swimming, Lockport Modified Swimming Coach, and Assistant Coach at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute. She has also served as Tonawanda Titans Swim Coach, UBAM Learn to Swim Director, and a member of the Clarence Swim Team Board of Directors. Sue’s diverse experience equips her to develop young swimmers’ skills and confidence. |
| LEARN TO SWIM, WAVES AND TSUNAMI COACHES |
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| Jason Madden
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Born in Williamsville NY, Jason swam competitively for 6 years for Sweet Home Central School District and swam club for Amherst Aquatics. Jason went on to graduate from SUNY Buffalo. He then earned a master’s degree and advanced certificate from Canisius College and Buffalo State College. After graduation, Jason coached high school swimming for boys and girls in a large school district in southern Maryland. Moving back to New York, Jason coached the Falcon Aquatic Club for nearly 3 years. He joined BAAC in October 2020. Jason primarily coaches the Waves and Tsunamis and Learn to Swim Program.
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| JUNIOR COACHES |
Working primarily with Learn to Swim, Waves and Tsunamis |
| Tristen Madden
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Tristen is from Lockport NY where he is currently attending Starpoint High School as a Junior going into his Senior year. Tristen has been competitively swimming since he was 9 years old and has been a member of BAAC since he was 13. He is an all around swimmer primarily competing in the 200 IM and freestyle events, but specializes in the backstroke where he is regularly a top 10 swimmer for High School sports. He works for the University at Buffalo during the summer months in the pool as a certified lifeguard. His future goals include swimming for a college or university and participating in their vocational program to gain knowledge and experience to eventually become employed in the building trades. |
| Rachel Stoelting
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Rachel is from Lockport , NY. She graduated from Starpoint HS where she swam on the varsity team. She currently attends University of Buffalo. Rachel swam for BAAC during her high school years. |
| Lydia Fraas
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Lydia is from Amherst, New York and is a Junior at Williamsville East High School. She currently swims with Buffalo Aquatics in the Senior Group. She is also part of the Girls Varsity Swim Team and Track and Field Team Williamsville East. In 2023 she started volunteering with Buffalo Aquatics and and in 2024 she achieved her qualifications to be a USA Swimming Junior Coach. Lydia started swimming competitively at 8 years old with the Independent Health YMCA Sharks. In September of 2020 she joined Buffalo Aquatics and has been a Gold Championship Meet qualifier each season in multiple events. Her favorite event is the 200IM and also enjoys distance freestyle events |
