Meet Our Coaches

Mike Cutler - Head Coach

Mike joined Buffalo Aquatics 5 years ago when he moved from Rockport, Michigan. He brought with him over 30 years of coaching experience.

As head coach of Buffalo Aquatics, the team sent swimmers to Age Group Zones, Short Course Sectionals and Futures as well as Move United Junior Nationals (paralympic event).

In the summer of 2021 and 2022, BAAC had the most members represent Niagara Swimming at the Eastern Zone Championships and Mike was named a head coach for the contingent. In the fall of 2021 and 2022, Mike was voted the Age Group Coach of the Year by Niagara LSC.

In addition to coaching, Mike held various positions as General Chair with the Michigan Swimming LSC and is now involved with Niagara LSC as a member of Age Group Development Committee and Governance Committee.

Mike works with the Juniors and Seniors, but visits Waves/Tsunami practices regularly.

Troy Lubanski - Assistant Head Coach

Troy is a Western New York native, where he began swimming at the age of 14 for Mercury Aquatics and York High school. He holds school records in the 100 Butterfly, 100 Backstroke and 200 IM and continued his swimming career at SUNY Fredonia, graduating with a BS in Sport management in May 2017.

Troy spent the 2019/20 and 2020/21 NCAA seasons volunteering with the UB Women's Team. During those seasons the Bulls reached their highest point total in 2020 and won its first MAC Conference title in school history in 2021.

Troy is currently the Aquatics Coordinator for the State University of New York at Buffalo and a coach for the Starpoint High School girls varsity team.

Prior to joining BAAC, Troy was the Aquatics Director and Administrative Head Coach for the Greater Canandaigua YMCA and Canandaigua Area Aquatic Club (Now combined with GRAY, formerly CAQY). Troy has held coaching positions at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology where he helped lead the men's team to win the 2018 AAC Championship and he also coached at his alma mater, Fredonia.

Patrick Quealy

Patrick is from Clarence, New York and began swimming in early middle school at the age of 12 for Clarence Swim Club. In high school, he swam for Clarence High School and qualified for championship meets in multiple events.

Graduating from Clarence in 2019, Patrick now attends SUNY Buffalo majoring in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and International Business. He currently plays Club Water Polo for the University.

Now in his third year of coaching at BAAC, Patrick works with the Juniors and Seniors.

Kyle Sobon

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.

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

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.

Ron Zugelder

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.

Ron is a Physical Education teacher at Lockport High School. In addition, he is the Pool Manager/Coach for the Park Country Club.

His vast experience in coaching includes: Boys varsity swimming and diving coach at Niagara Wheatfield and St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute (Monseigneur Martin Champs 1995 - 1998; New York State Catholic High School State Champions 1996); Girls varsity swimming coach at Lockport High School (Niagara Frontier League Championships 1996, 1997, 2001 - 2007; Section VI Swimming Championships 2002 - 2007); and Boys and Girls JV swimming coach.

Annie Draves

Annie grew up in Tonawanda, New York, and while not a swimmer, she was a leading member of both the varsity cross-country and track teams. After graduating high school, Annie attended Canisius College and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education; with a minor in Strength and Conditioning.

After graduation, she accepted a Graduate Assistantship position at the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse; where she served as the Adapted Aquatics Coordinator. It was through this position, that Annie was able to work with a wide range of swimmers with varying disabilities and adapted aquatic skills to the each individual’s ability level.

She graduated with a Masters Degree in Physical Education in 2019 and currently holds a teaching position Lockport High School.

Annie primarily coaches the Waves and Tsunamis.

Jason Madden

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.

Lauren McKnight

Lauren swam competitively since the age of 10 and later ran track in high school. She is currently a student at SUNY Buffalo where she plays rugby. She is majoring in Classics where she plans to pursue a career as an archaeologist and college professor.

She enjoys coaching and actively engaging the swimmers in demonstrating fun and rewarding aspects of this sport.

Lauren primarily works with the Tsunamis and Waves Groups.