ABARCA CONTINUES JOURNEY COACHING JUNIOR ATHLETES TO SUCCESS

USA Artistic Swimming has named Megan Abarca head coach of the junior national team again this season. Abarca has worked with many USA national teams, most recently with the junior national team as the head coach last summer and assistant coach the summer before. Without a World Championship for the junior age group this season, the cohort of athletes will be the first to revive the Olympic Development Camp and focus on a summer of individual growth instead of competition. Megan will lead a group of coaches at an international location to create a curriculum that leads our junior-aged athletes forward and prepares them for success.

Abarca has been the head coach of the Stanford artistic swimming team since 2018. Prior to her head coaching role, she was the assistant coach from 2012-2018. While with the Cardinal program, Abarca helped the team claim Collegiate National Championships in 2013, 2016 and 2021, runner-up finishes in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022 and third place finishes in 2014 and 2015. In 2021, her team achieved a total collegiate sweep winning the solo, duet, trio and team categories and capturing the Overall Institution Award. Abarca was awarded Collegiate Coach of the Year honors for her efforts. With the holistic care of her student-athletes in mind, Megan’s collegiate student-athletes also thrive in the classroom.

Abarca began her own artistic swimming career with the Santa Clara Aquamaids at eleven years old. She transitioned to overseeing summer camps and working with novice, intermediate, recreational and age group programs. Her youth teams saw success under her guidance, and it was clear she was destined for an impactful career in coaching. As no stranger to the national team programs, Abarca brings a wealth of knowledge to her new position having served as head coach of the 13-15 national team in 2018 and 2019. Prior to that experience, she served as assistant coach for the 13-15 national team for two years and assistant coach for the 12 & under national team in 2014 and 2015. She also served as the 2013 World University Games assistant coach.

A graduate of Santa Clara University, Abarca holds a degree in psychology with a minor in economics. Born and raised in California, she currently resides in San Jose with her husband, dog and son.

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