2026 Year of the Coach

Sharing the kind of coaching stories that reminds every coach of their 'WHY'

FEBRUARY | Olga Molotilova | Submission By: Grace Tsai

"The person who has been, and continues to be, the most important influence in my life is my coach, Coach Olga. With over twenty years of coaching experience, she is not only an exceptional coach but someone who truly cares about her swimmers. It’s not just the time and hard work she puts in — it’s so much more than that. She connects with us as a team and ensures that every athlete feels supported and valued.

Coach Olga doesn’t simply tell us what to do; she teaches us and helps us understand why. Even though we are a smaller team, Armada Artistic Swimming is successful and competitive because of her leadership. Perseverance and never giving up are lessons parents and teachers often talk about, but I didn’t truly understand them until I began synchronized swimming. Coach Olga pushes us to aim higher, work harder, and believe in ourselves.

She is a tough coach, but that is exactly why we respect and love her. She challenges us because she sees our potential, and that challenge brings our team closer together. In just two years, I went from not knowing how to swim to becoming a third-place soloist at Nationals — and Coach Olga was with me every step of the way. She never gave up on me or on our team, and she showed us that with hard work, belief, and teamwork, even the impossible is possible."

 

MARCH | Camille Albrecht | Submission By: Lily Schlemmer

"Coach Camille exemplifies incredible creativity in everything she brings to our program. She consistently finds innovative ways to engage athletes, making practices and team experiences both meaningful and memorable. Her ability to think outside the box keeps athletes motivated while helping them grow in both confidence and skill. She builds genuine emotional connections with her athletes, taking the time to understand each individual and provide encouragement, support, and guidance on and off the field. Her athletes know they are valued not only for their performance, but for who they are as people. Coach Camille is a true source of inspiration. Through her positivity, leadership, and dedication, she motivates athletes to push themselves, believe in their abilities, and strive for excellence. Her passion for coaching shines through in every interaction. Most importantly, she fosters strong, trusting relationships that create a team culture rooted in support, accountability, and unity. She is an outstanding role model who makes a lasting and meaningful impact on everyone she works with."

APRIL | Candace (Candy) Hipp | Submission By: Tori Jang

"Through pouring rain and under the 100-degree California sun, she has shown up with the same passion, discipline, and care every single day. Her dedication goes beyond the sport; it lives in the way she believes in her athletes, pushes them to grow, and teaches them what excellence truly looks like. As a nationally recognized judge for many years, Coach Candy has always held herself and everyone around her to the highest standard. But what defines her most is her unwavering passion to shaping not just skilled athletes, but confident, driven, and collaborative individuals. As she enters her final season before retirement, her legacy is clear with an extremely deep love for the sport."

 

MAY | Senior National Team Coaches + Chief of Sport | Submission By: USAAS National Office

May’s recipients of USAA’s Year of the Coach monthly recognition are our coaching staff and Chief of Sport, Lara Teixeira, for their leadership, dedication, and countless hours invested throughout this Trials process. From the very beginning, their focus has been on creating a fair and transparent environment that gives every athlete the opportunity to compete on an even playing field while always keeping the athletes’ best interests at the center of every decision. As USA Artistic Swimming takes its first steps toward LA28, the professionalism and care shown throughout this process have set the tone for the journey ahead.

 

JUNE | Maya Plotnitskaya | Submission By: NDM 12UAG Team

"As a former competitive artistic swimmer herself, Coach Maya brings a depth of experience and passion to every practice with the Nevada Desert Mermaids. But what truly sets her apart is not just what she knows, it is how much she cares. This year, I have watched Coach Maya work tirelessly with 12UAG, among other teams, pushing them to grow not only in their skills and focus, but in their confidence and love for the sport. She has a rare ability to see exactly where each athlete is and meet them there, challenging them just enough, encouraging them just when they need it, and never letting them settle for less than their best. She doesn't just teach the technical side of artistic swimming. Coach Maya teaches the whole athlete. What stands out is that she sees these kids as people first. She knows when to push and when to lift, when to correct and when to celebrate. Because of her, this team has not just improved, they have become more focused, more motivated, and more connected to each other and to this sport. We are lucky to have her."