Mike O'Brien
Head Coach
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Coach Mike began his ARAC career as
a swimmer, in the Gold group as an 8 & under, and spent his
entire swimming career here at ARAC. He was named an Assistant
Coach in 2006 and was named head coach in 2014. Coach Mike also
serves as Head Coach of Sacred Heart Academy and is an Adjunct
Instructor at Southern Connecticut State University. He is a
graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, earning a B.S.
in Recreation and Leisure studies, with a concentration in
Community Recreation and Youth Development. Additionally, he also
is an employee of the Orange Park and Rec Department.
Matthew Pohlman
Head Senior Program Coach
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Matt Pohlman is in his second year with ARAC.
He is also serving on the Connecticut Swimming, Inc. Board of
Directors as Coach-at-Large. Before ARAC, Matt
had several years of coaching experience with local clubs and
high school teams in the area. Most recently, he served as Head
Coach of the Stratford YMCA swim team (BSY) from 2015-2018. In
2013, he co-founded the Park City Wolfpack swim club (WOLF),
while also serving as Assistant Head Coach. From 1997-2003, he
served as Head Coach of the boys' team at Staples High School in
Westport, and was the girls' team Assistant Coach from
2000-2002. He also served as an Assistant Coach for the
Westport YMCA swim team (WRAT) from 1996-1998. Matt is a
resident of Stratford, and a 1998 graduate of Southern
Connecticut State University with a B.S. in Excercise
Science.
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday; 9:00am-2:00pm via email, or by
appointment.
Ashley DeCosta
Developmental Coach
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Ashley DeCosta is beginning her first year with ARAC. Before
ARAC, Ashley had several years of coaching experience with local
clubs and high school teams in the area. Most recently, she served
as Site Manager of Gateway Sports and Pools out of Albertus Magnus
College in addition to serving as Assistant Coach of Trumbull
Pisces Swimming. She was Aquatics Director at Wings Over Water
School of Swimming, while also serving as Head Age Group Coach of
Oxford Swimming. Additionally, she served as an aquatic fitness
instructor, Assistant Coach of Cougar Aquatics Team, and Assistant
Aquatics Director at Faulkner Physical Therapy. Ashley is a
resident of West Haven, and a Division I Swimmer out of Central
Connecticut State University.
Brittany Hicks
Developmental Coach
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Brittany is in her 2nd year with ARAC. She came to us from
the Milford YMCA where she taught swim lessons for over 13 years
and was the Aquatics Director. She also has coaches two
previous swim teams, working mainly with 8 and under
swimmers. Additionally, she has been to Futures and Jr.
Nationals as a coach. As a youth, Brittany even swam for
ARAC.
Hilde P Gehr
Developmental Coach
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Hilde first joined ARAC as a swimmer in 2012 as a sophmore in
high school. She swam with ARAC throughout her high school
career and continued to swim in college for two years at the
division three level. She recently graduated from Central
Connecticut State University earning a B.S. in Hospitality and
Tourism. She has also been a lifeguard and swim instructor
for the Town of Orange for the last five years. Hilde is
excited to come back to ARAC now as a coach.
