Marcelo Possato
Co-Head Coach
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A native of Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, Coach Marcelo’s swimming accomplishments
include being a 5-time Brazlian junior champion, NCAA Division I
qualifier, World Cup and U.S. Open finalist, and a top 50
world-ranked swimmer . Utilizing his own achievements and
abilities, Coach Marcelo’s goal is to pass on his experiences
and enthusiasm for swimming to the next generation of athletes,
including the discipline and appreciation for hard work to be
successful and reach new goals. He began coaching BEST in 2007 and
has developed several Regional and State qualifiers and
champions.
Jim Nickolov
Co-Head Coach
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Coach Jim started swimming at the age of nine and was a member
of the Bulgarian National Team for seven years. He received the
Indiana Coach of the Year award in 1985 while head coach at
Merrillville High School and Merrillville Aquatic Club (1983-1989).
Coach Jim also held head coaching positions for the Munster Swim
Club (1989-1992), Hanover Park Sailfish (1994-2000) and
BEST (1998-present).
Steve Macholl
Assistant Coach
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Coach Steve swam for the Hanover Park Sailfish through 1993. The
same year, he made the transition into coaching at the Park
District level. Steve began coaching BEST in 1998 and
believes in proper stroke training in order to reduce the chances
for injury.
Karl Volkman
Assistant Coach
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Coach Karl swam for a variety of clubs beginning
at the age of seven through high school. He has been giving
instruction to kids for the last 14 years as a swim coach, as well
as multiple years as a sixth grade science teacher in Bloomingdale.
He began coaching BEST in 2005.
Lynn Sampey
Assistant Coach
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Coach Lynn swam for the Addison Park District for 10 years
as well as the Elmhurst YMCA and Elk Grove
Stingrays. She was an assistant coach for Addison and
taught swim lessons there for many years. Lynn believes
in showing the kids that swimming can be fun while you learn and
are successful. She also tries to instill in them that
swimming is a lifelong skill and that although they sometimes might
not like swimming, she promises them that when they get older they
will look back and really appreciate all the unique things swimming
has to offer. In addition, Lynn has three children on
the team that test her philosophies daily.
Lynn Kelly
Assistant Coach
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Coach Lynn Kelly swam for the summer swim team in Effingham,
Illinois beginning at the age of seven through high school. She
began teaching swim lessons at the age of 16 and began coaching
various summer clubs at the age of 18. Lynn holds a degree in
Elementary Education and has taught 5th and 6th grade for 8 years.
She has also coached track and cheerleading. Coach Lynn enjoys
watching her 3 daughters swim for the BEST club.
