Patrick Novak

Head Coach

Email

Coach Patrick brings years of experience to the Cruzers. He began his coaching career at Northwest Swim Club in Bethlehem, PA. Next, he coached at Catawba Valley Aquatics Club (CVAC) in Salisbury, NC before coaching summer league swimming for Broomall’s Lake Country Club in Media, PA. Most recently, he coached Division III Cedar Crest College.

Patrick swam competitively for 17 years, in his high school career he received All-America Honorable Mention honors all four years. He swam for three years at NCAA Division II Catawba College in Salisbury, NC, breaking multiple records throughout his tenure. 

Patrick graduated from Catawba College in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. After his undergrad, he completed his Juris Doctor in 2014 from the Villanova University School of Law. Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Education Degree from Cedar Crest.

Stephen Novak

Assistant Coach

Email

Coach Stephen has over 14 years of swimming experience, from age group swimming through his freshman year of college, when he switched over to collegiate water polo at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. He was a multiple-year age group state champion in various backstroke and sprint freestyle events. He coached for four years at the Northwest Swim Club and the Bethlehem YMCA in Bethlehem, PA. 

After college, Stephen attended culinary school and opened a restaurant in Somers Point, NJ. He was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on the Food Network in  2015. 

Stephen recently relocated to Austin and is the Head Chef at St. Andrews Episcopal School, and a volunteer coach for Lost Creek Aquatics. He is ecstatic about his return to the pool deck and looks forward to bringing his knowledge and enthusiasm to the Lost Creek Cruzers. 

Taylor Poehl

Assistant Coach

Email

Coach Taylor is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University and has over 15 years experience in swimming.  From summer league, competitive and high school swimming, lifeguarding and swim lessons, Taylor has always loved being in and around the water. While at TAMU, Taylor ran swim meets and realized how much she missed being around the sport. She enjoys teaching children of all ages the importance of water safety and loves to encourage athletes to reach their personal goals.

Susannah Balcezak

Assistant Coach

Email

My mom signed me up for the Cruzers when I was 5, and I fell in love with swimming that first summer. I swam with the Cruzers for 6 years and for LCA for 3 years, and now I am a certified lifeguard. I am a junior at Westlake High School, and worked as a lifeguard for the City of Austin last summer and for the Special Olympics. My little sister swims with LCA and the Cruzers, and I have really enjoyed passing the love of swimming down to her. 

Davis Bearden

Assistant Coach

Email

I have been a swimmer my whole life. I really love to be in and around all aspects of the pool! I go to Westlake High School and have swam for the high school team! I started my swimming career with the Cruzers when I was 6 years old, and continued with the program until I was 10. In that time period I also started swimming with Lost Creek Aquatics with Steve Jones. I currently still swim with LCA in the Gold/National groups. Additionally, I am a Red Cross certified lifeguard and I have guarded and taught swim lessons for the City of Austin at various pools such as Deep Eddy! I also have volunteered and now lifeguard for the Lake Travis Thunder Swimming Special Olympics Team, which focuses on working with kids of all ages who have different needs. I am very glad to have the opportunity to be a Cruzers coach!