Quick Links
Bill Schalz - Owner / Director of Swimming Operations
Email: billschalz@gmail.com
Bill Schalz started his career in Dubuque, IA as the head coach of the Wahlert HS women's team. While there, the Eagles compiled a 24-6 record and a top 10 finish at the Iowa High School State Meet. From 1986-1994, Bill Schalz was the head coach of the Aurora YMCA Swim Team. During those years, the national team grew from one swimmer to sixteen. In 1994, Bill's last year, the Aurora YMCA finished 8th at YMCA Nationals (their highest finish ever). Since 1994, Bill and Robin (his wife) have been owners of the Academy Bullets Swim Club.
| Professional Experience & Honors |
Coaching Achievements |
|
Over twenty years USS and High School coaching
experience. Head Coach of Rosary High School Swim Team. Head Coach of Marmion Academy Swim Team Director of Aquatics, Marmion Academy
Bill has served or currently serves Illinois Swimming, Inc.
as: |
12 United States Olympic Trials Qualifiers. 2 Olympians 2 European Championship Medalists 5 World ranked swimmers. 10 USA Swimming Junior National Champions. 1 United States Olympic Festival Champion. 3 USA National Junior Team Member. 9 USA Swimming National Finalists. Over 40 USA Swimming Junior National Qualifiers. Over 100 nationally ranked swims. Over 30 YMCA National Qualifiers |
|
Illinois Swimming, Inc. Coach of the Year
High School Sectional Coach of the Year |
1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003
1992, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
Todd Capen - Head Coach / Elite & Gold Teams
Email: todd.capen@gmail.com
Todd started out with the Bullets as a swimmer on our National Team. Todd was a member of the 1997 team that won the Junior National Meet in Orlando, FL. In that meet, Todd was a member of three winning relays and finished top 8 in three individual events. Todd went on to earn a swimming scholarship from Northwestern University, where he broke the team record in the 400 IM. Todd competed at the 2000 USA Olympic Trials.
Todd joined
the Bullets staff in 2001 as the Head Age Group Coach. Todd also has
been instrumental in working with Bill to grow the competitive and
lesson programs to their current size. Since Todd has joined the team,
The Bullets have won their first ever Age Group State Championship
(ten total - LC 2005, SC 2006, LC 2006, LC 2007, SC 2008, LC 2008, SC
2009, LC 2009, SC 2010, LC 2010) and have never finished lower than 5th. Todd has coached numerous
State Champions, State Record Holders, National Reportable Times, Junior National qualifiers, and Senior National qualifiers. He has served on three
Team Illinois Zone staffs. Todd has been named Illinois Age Group Coach
of the Year in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, & 2010. Todd was named a "National Age Group Coach of the Year" in 2009. On August 1st, 2006, Todd
Capen was named Head Coach of the team.
He also serves as the Age Group Vice-Chair for Illinois Swimming.
Mike Laurich - Head Site Coach / Lewis University
Email: mlaurich@gmail.com
Mike joined the Bullets in 2009 as the Head Coach of the Lewis University satellite team. Mike was a seven-time Division III All-American at North Central College during his swimming years. He began his coaching career with Bill Schalz at the Aurora YMCA from 1987 thru 1990. From 1990-2005, Mike was the Head Coach of the Hinsdale Swim Club, tranforming the team to one of the most successful swim teams in Illinois. Mike also served as the assistant (91-99) and head coach (99-00) of the Hinsdale Central High School boys team. In 2005, Mike accepted the position as the Head Coach of the Lyons Swim Club. While at Lyons the past four years, Mike grew the program in both numbers and success, taking Lyons from the 34th ranked club in Illinois in the Virtual Club Championship to 14th. Mike was responsible for developing a senior level program at Lyons that produced 3 junior and 2 short course national qualifiers. Mike has coached numerous state, sectional, zone, and national level swimmers, including State Champion and Olympic Trial qualifiers.
Kelly Capen -
Head Age Group Coach / Silver II Team
Email: kellswim@aol.com
Kelly began swimming competitively at the age of 11 for
Foxjet Swim Club in Eden Prairie, MN. She competed at the collegiate
level for four years representing University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and
was a Division III All-American. After college, Kelly attended graduate
school at Ball State University where she also served as the Assistant
Women's Coach for their swim team. From 2002-2005, Kelly served as the
Head Age Group Coach of the Naperville Riptide Swim Team. Kelly has
coached Olympic Trials qualifiers, Junior National qualifiers, Illinois
State Champions, and numerous swimmers with National Reportable Times.
Paul Desruisseaux - Senior Team
Email:
pauledesruisseaux@gmail.com
Paul swam for Fremd High School from 1991-95, Palatine Park District from 1992-99, and Northern Illinois University from 1995-99. Paul specialized in mid-distance freestyle events. Paul was a multiple medalist at the IHSA state finals, Illinois Senior Championships, and Junior Nationals. Paul set multiple records while at NIU. Paul began his coaching career working with 11-14 year olds at PPD from 1998-2001. He was an assistant to the Elite group at that time as well, working with Olympic Trial level athletes at the time. Beginning in 2003, Paul began working with high school programs. From 2003-2008, he was the Head Coach at Homewood-Flossmoor High School and Lincoln-Way East High School. Paul's teams won the IHSA Sectional meet all five years and he was voted Sectional Coach of the Year on three occasions. His teams placed in the Top 10 of the IHSA State meet 3 of the 5 years, with multiple swimmers attaining college scholarships. Paul also coached with the LWSA Gators from 2006-2008. Paul was married to his wife Karen in 2009, and welcomed a baby girl Anne on August 17th, 2010.
Sarah Pauly - Silver I Team
Email: sepauly@gmail.com
Sarah started her swimming career at age 8 while swimming for the Aurora Country Club. She continued her swimming career with the Aurora YMCA Sharks, where she swam for 8 years under Bryan Lederhouse, a former Bullets coach. In addition to the Sharks, Sarah spent 4 years competing for West Aurora High School. Sarah is the Lead Coach for the Silver I Team in Aurora. Prior to joining the Bullets staff, Sarah had served as an assistant coach for the Aurora YMCA Sharks since 2005. She has also spent five seasons with the Geneva River Rats Swim Team, where he has been the head coach of the 8&U age-group. Sarah is a graduate of Indiana University, where she earned a degree in Secondary Education and currently teaches in Elmhurst, IL.
Ken Carlson - Bronze Team
Email: jgarciagd11@gmail.com
Ken has been coaching competitive swimming for 17 years on various levels. He has coached age-group, high school, college, and masters for several area teams. This will be Ken's 6th season with the Bullets and his third working with the Bronze Team. He coached Rosary High School for 7 years (2002-2008) with Bill Schalz. Bill's wife, Robin, was Ken's 8&U coach before Bill and Robin met. He currently swims for Academy Bullets Masters and continues to compete after 27 years of swimming (his times are a shade faster than when he was an 8&U). He is a third grade teacher in North Aurora and has a size 9 shoe.
Nancy Hooper - Bronze Team
Email: nmcmeans@sbcglobal.net
Nancy joined the Bullets in the 2007-2008 winter season as a Bronze Team coach after being a Bullet parent for the past five years. Her love of the sport and enthusiasm for teaching the kids helped turn our 8&U's into some of the best young swimmers in the state. Nancy's love for swimming began as an 8&U. She swam as an age-grouper for BR Ryall YMCA. She was a multiple National YMCA champion and record holder. She also swam for Arizona State University while in college. She has two chldren, Kelly and Brian. Brian has been a swimmer for the Bullets since 2002 and now competes for Boston College.
Matt Potter - Assistant Silver I Team Coach
Email: mjpotter24@yahoo.com
Matt joined the Bullets staff in 2009 after taking a 1 year break from coaching. Matt is a graduate of North Central College and competed all 4 years for the school's swim team. In his younger years, Matt swam for our very won Mike Laurich and still competes as part of the Academy Bullets Masters team. He is currently assisting the Silver I Team in Aurora and occasionally helps out Saturday mornings with our Gold & Elite Teams. Matt enjoys working with the best swimmers and coaches in the state of Illinois. Matt is married to his wife Katie Potter and has a 2 year old son named Cullen.
Meghan Hogan - Assistant Bronze, Silver I, Silver II Team Coach
Email: mhogan92@yahoo.com
Meghan started competitive swimming at age 9 for the Academy Bullets Swim Club and at some point in her career swam for current Bullet coaches Bill Schalz, Todd Capen, Ken Carlson, and Misty O'Connell. She remained a member of the Bullets up until the summer of her senior year in high school. Meghan was also a member of the Rosary Beads for 4 years. Meghan was a swim lesson instructor for five years in the Swim With Bill program. Meghan is in her first season as a Bullets coach and works with our Bronze, Silver I, and Silver II Teams in Aurora. Meghan attends Waubonsee Community College on the Gustafson Scholarship. She is majoring in psychology.
Emily Olson - Lewis Bullets Assistant Coach
Email: olsoney@lewisu.edu
Emily is in her second season as an assistant coach for the Bullets at Lewis University. Emily began swimming competitively at the age of 8 for the Brooklyn Swim Club in Brooklyn Park, MN. She competed at the collegiate level for four years, representing Northern Michigan University. Emily currently serves as the Graduate Assistant for the Men's & Women's swim team at Lewis University where she is also pursuing her MBA.
Catie Reese - Lewis Bullets Assistant Coach
Email: catherinedreese@lewisu.edu
Originally from Trafalgar, IN, Catie holds three school records at Indian Creek High School and was a 2 time state finalist. She is now a member of the Lewis University Women's team, holding the school record in the 100 fly. Catie is a biology major and has aspirations to be a physicians assistant. Catie was previously the Head Age Group coach for the Indian Creek Aquatic Club and enjoys being a member of the Lewis Bullets coaching staff.
Allie Henges - Lewis Bullets Assistant Coach
Email: alexandarehenges@lewisu.edu
Allie is from Cincinnati, Ohio and began swimming at the age of 9 for the Cincinnati Marlins. She was and Ohio State Finalist all four years of high school. Allie currently swims for Lewis University Women's Team and is pursuing a double major in International Business and Finance. Allie has coaches two other clubs in the Cincinnati area and is in her 3rd year as a member of the Bullets coaching staff.
Kevin Coates - Lewis Bullets Assistant Coach
Email: kevinacoates@lewisu.edu
Bio Coming Soon!
Misty O'Connell - Assistant Bronze Team Coach
Email: mistyoco@yahoo.com
Misty joined the Bullets coaching staff last year, assisting a few days per week with the Bronze Team. Misty is the sister of Bullets coach Mike Laurich and was a 4 year state finalist and varsity letter winner at Rosary High School. She continued her swimming career on a scholarship to the University of Missouri, where she was a Big 12 finalist, All American, and Academic All American. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Misty currently the Swim With Bill site supervisor for the USA Athletic Club, the head of the Take Your Mark pre-team program, and the head Junior Varsity coach for the Rosary Beads. Misty's oldest daughter has started her first season on the Bullets. Misty is enjoying her dual roles as a swim coach and swim mom!
Malarie Schmidt - Assistant Elite Team Coach
Email: maesms@gmail.com
Malarie joined the Academy Bullets family in 2009 as a part time coach. Malarie was a 4 year state finalist and varsity letter winner at Rosary High School. Her senior season Malarie was named Metro Catholic Senior Swimmer of the Year. She attended Miami University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Malarie holds 7 Miami University varsity records and 2 Mid-American Conference records. Currently, Malarie is the Swim With Bill site supervisor for Marmion Academy. Malarie assists with the Elite Team in Aurora and is the head coach of the Tanglewood Tiger Sharks swim team during the summer months.
Chris Colburn- Masters Team Head Coach
Email: chriscolburn@gmail.com
Chris joined the Academy Bullets Masters in 2006 as a coach and swimmer. He has been involved in swimming since 1980 and coaching since 1990. Prior to his tenure withe the Bullets, Chris coached with 6 masters and 2 YMCA age-group programs in Massachusetts, Delaware, and Illinois and has also served as head coach at North Central College and the Illinois Math & Science Academy (IMSA).
Chris has worked with swimmers of all ages and ability level, and has spent much of his coaching career researching breaststroke mechanics and developing quality and recovery-oriented training for adults. He has had a number of articles published in SWIM, USMS SWIMMER, and Swimming World magazines over the past ten years, and has conducted clinics at the college and masters levels. Chris also writes the weekly feature "Masters Swimming with DrCoachChris" for swimnetwork.com.
When not on the deck or in the pool with the Bullets, Chris works as a Unix Systems Manager for WOW! Internet, Cable, and Phone in Naperville. At the state level, Chris is President of the Illinois Masters Swimming Association (ILMSA), and was named the 2009 ILMSA Coach of the Year. Nationally, he is the Chair of the U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) Coaches Committee, and recently served on the USMS Club Development Task Force.
