RFSC COACHES
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MICHAEL BRUDZINSKI
Head Coach
I have been with RFSC since September of 2008, I was an assistant coach until May of 2011 when I became the Head Coach. Before that I was an assistant coach with OMNI swim club from 2004-2008. I have been involved with swimming since 2002; I swam for Tartan High School in Oakdale MN from 2002-2005, during which time I also swam/coached for OMNI swim club. In 2005, I began my undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and graduated with a degree in Mathematics with a double minor in History and Military Science. During my time at UWRF I swam all four years. I have been a serving member of the Army since 2006, and accepted my Commission as an Officer in July of 2009. I have been with various Engineer units throughout the state, and have deployed to Afghanistan (2012-2013) and Iraq (2016) over my career. I have a beautiful wife, Caitlin,and two adorable daughters, Amelia and Bria, who I am sure you will see on the pool deck on several occasions throughout the season! |
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MARISSA METZLER
Assistant Head Coach
My swimming career started with lessons at four years old, and I’ve been in & around the pool ever since! I began swimming with River Falls Swim Club in 2008 and started coaching for the team in 2015. Additionally, I have been the assistant coach for the Tartan High School girls' and boys' swim teams since 2019 and 2020, respectively. I was also given the opportunity to spend time coaching at OMNI Swim Club from 2019-2021, where I experienced different styles of teaching and club dynamics. That exposure has given me a broader perspective of competitive swimming. I am fascinated by the biomechanics of swimming and the impact that even the smallest changes in technique can have on a swimmer’s efficiency. I graduated from UWRF in 2021, majoring in Biomedical Science and Animal Science (equine emphasis) with minors in mathematics and chemistry. When I’m not on the pool deck, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, visiting my horse, reading, or watching a movie with my dog. |
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KAYE ANDERSON
Coach I started to swim with RFSC the fall of 2011. From there I continued swimming until 2016 when underlining health issues got in the way. While I do not swim competitively anymore, I still enjoy swimming laps and working on my technique. While I was still swimming my favorite events were 100 IM, 100 Breast, and 200 Breast. I have been teaching swim lessons and life guarding at the Hudson Y since 2017, working with kids ages 3 to 15. I was asked to join the RFSC coaching staff summer 2019 and have absolutely loved it! I am currently a student at UWRF, majoring in Psychology and English Education. |
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KARISSA BAAR I started swimming with River Falls Swim Club in 2013 and coaching in 2018. I love being a part of the club because it gives the opportunity to learn life skills like determination, perseverance, respect, mentorship, a good work ethic, and so much more. I graduated from River Falls High School in 2022. While in high school, I was on the swim team for all four years. Two of those years, I was captain of the team! I was also involved in marching band. When I'm not on the pool deck, I enjoy reading, baking, four wheeling, and spending weekends at my family's lake place! |
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ANIKA COLEMAN I began swimming with River Falls Swim Club in 2013 and started coaching for the Club in 2018. I fell in love with the Club. My experiences have taught me so much about friendship, commitment, confidence, support, and mentorship. I am excited to pass on my positive experiences to newer swimmers. My favorite events are the 100 and 200 Breaststroke and 500 and 1,000 Freestyle. I attend River Falls High School. When I’m not in the pool or school, I enjoy participating in speech and spending time with friends and family. |
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BRYANNA ZILLMER I started to swim with Eau Claire Aquatics Club in 2013 and then swam for 4 years at Memorial High School. While I was swimming, my favorite events were the 500 free and the 200 free. I have been teaching swim lessons to all ages and lifeguarding since 2019. I started coaching for River Falls Swim Club in 2021. I'm currently a student at UWRF, majoring in Finance and Accounting, with a minor in Economics. When I'm not in the pool, I'm enjoying the outdoors, playing with my dog, or just hanging out.
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LAUREN WEISS I started swimming with River Falls Swim Club (RFSC) in 2016, and I started coaching in the spring of 2021. I love swimming because it clears my mind. I love coming to the pool and seeing my friends that I have made because of RFSC. My favorite events are the 200 and 500 freestyle. I attend River Falls High School and I am a member of the girls' swim team and National Honors Society. When I am not swimming, I spend time reading, watching sports, and hanging out with friends and family. |
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MACKENNA ANDERSON My first year at River Falls Swim Club was in 2014 and have been working hard ever since. I first began swimming when I was really little doing swim lessons at the YMCA. Since then I have developed and have started to become someone I want to be. I love swimming because it helps me become stronger and challenges me to strive for that version of me. I began coaching at RFSC in early 2020 and I love to help new swimmers along in their process of becoming amazing athletes. I am a distance freestyler and my favorite events are the 500 free and the 200 free. |
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ELISE GULICK I have been swimming with River Falls Swim Club (RFSC) since 2015. I love the people and the atmosphere of the pool. My teammates have become some of my closest friends. I have gained so many new skills that have helped me in all aspects of my life (Sadly, I haven’t learned how to teleport…yet.). I am very grateful for the great coaches that have helped me achieve my goals. That’s one reason I was thrilled to start coaching in the fall of 2021. I enjoy spreading the love for such a great sport. It’s a fantastic experience to coach kids and help them grow into confident and strong swimmers. I hope to continue growing as a swimmer, coach, and person through RFSC. |
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SYD THOMPSON I have been swimming with River Falls Swim Club (RFSC) since the fall of 2018. Prior to joining the club, I swam non-competitively for a long time. I enjoy swimming because I love the adrenaline, the competition, and all of the friends I have made. I also cherish the feeling of working hard for a long time and then achieving my goals. My favorite events are the 100/200 IM and the 50/100 free. I have been coaching with RFSC since November of 2021. Outside of swimming, I like baking, hiking, and traveling. After high school, I want to join the military through ROTC. |
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PAYTON PEARSON I have been swimming with River Falls Swim Club since 2019. I have always loved swimming and, after I finished my swimming lessons, I knew I wanted to keep being in the water regularly. When I heard about the club, I was super excited to join them. When I was offered a coaching position, I was even happier to be at the pool. Some of my favorite strokes and events are 50 and 100 freestyle. I don't know why I love swimming, but it just feels like home in the water. I could be swimming with some family and be the last one in the pool. It has always been my comfort area. |
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KJERSTEN RICHTER Biography pending |
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JAKE WEISS Biography pending |
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AMETHYST MORROW Biography pending |
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KAI HAGEN Biography pending |
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MICKEY BAAR Biography pending |
