Coaching Staff
The Coaching Staff is responsible for training and development of team swimmers. Activities cover a full range of training and competition. In particular, the coaching staff:
Conducts practices, arranging appropriate workout schedules to teach all racing strokes and techniques and to develop stamina.
Establishes, with approval of the Board, team practice times.
Attends swim meets.
Represents swimmers at meets, particularly when difficulties arise.
Provides critiques of performances and encourages swimmers.
Establishes and enforces rules for swimmer conduct at practices.
Maintains general discipline (includes suspension and dismissals with Board concurrence).
Contributes to overall improvement of the team by consulting and cooperating with the swim team Board, other coaches, and the AMS swim committee.
Head Coach, Lucas MarsakLucas enters his 10th season at the helm of the FAST swim program. During his tenure, he has developed and coached multiple Super Sectional Qualifiers and finalists, Sectional Qualifiers and finalists, Eastern Zone Qualifiers, WPIAL Champions and record holders, PIAA Qualifiers and Finalists, an AMS Swimmer of the Year, and an Age Group swimmer ranked in the top 15 in the country. In addition, more than 50 all-time FAST records have been broken under his watch.
Lucas brings an enthusiasm for the sport which is shared with his swimmers. Lucas is also known for his innovative coaching techniques. Under his guidance, FAST has grown to become the largest swim program within Allegheny Mountain Swimming, attracting more than 180 swimmers.
Born and raised in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, Lucas started his coaching career as an assistant coach under Chris Webb at Garden City Swim Club. Together, they guided the Dolphins to their first undefeated season and an Eastern Swim Association Championship (Division II) in 2000. He succeeded Webb for two seasons before taking on the head coaching duties at the Murrysville Swim Club from 2002 through 2004.
An American Swimming Coaches Association-certified coach, Lucas also served as an assistant coach for the Franklin Regional High School swim team and is a frequent instructor at local swim camps. In addition, he has been a volunteer for the South Park Kids Triathlon and a workshop leader for the UPMC SALA Leadership Academy for Student Athletes across Western PA.
Lucas is a graduate of Denison University with a double major in Educational Studies and Communication. For two years at Denison, he swam and was a conference finalist and a NCAA National Qualifier.
As a youth athlete, Lucas was competitive in football, soccer, basketball, baseball, track and field, cross country, and swimming. In high school, he decided to make swimming his primary focus. As a high school swimmer, he qualified for Eastern Zones and Junior Nationals. He also competed for Gateway High School where he was a WPIAL Champion, a state finalist, and school record holder.
In college, after having surgery on both legs, he began his career as an endurance athlete by competing in his first sprint triathlon and first marathon in 2001.
In the past 10 years, Lucas has competed in over 75 running races and triathlons: 2 Ironman Triathlons (including the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii), The 70.3 Triathlon World Championships, 7 marathons (including Boston), and 7 Ultra-Marathons of running races of up to 100 miles (including the Leadville 100 in Colorado).
“I am excited for the opportunity be involved in the process of motivating, guiding, and challenging our swimmers to strive towards our athletic potential and excellence both in and out of the water."
Assistant Coach, Jodi Eyles Horvath
With more than 20 years of coaching experience, Jodi returns to FAST in the capacity as assistant coach and team administrator.
Jodi grew up in Murrysville and swam for FAST from 1974 to 1982. As a member of FAST, she qualified for Junior and Senior Nationals. She was a Junior National Champion in the 50 free and the 100 fly. She held the Junior National record in the 100 fly for 11 years. She was ranked 9th in the world in 50 free and 8th in 100 fly in 1982. She was a 3-time Pennsylvania High School State Champion and multiple-time High School All-American.
Jodi received a full swimming scholarship to the University of Texas where she was a member of four Division I National Championship teams. During her collegiate career, Jodi was named a Division I All-American 22 times. She was selected for the 1983 U.S. National Team that competed in Sweden, Germany, and Denmark. Jodi competed in the 1984 Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 butterfly and the 50 and 100 freestyle. She was also selected to the U.S. National Team that competed at the 1987 World University Games in Zagreb, Yugoslavia where she won a gold and bronze medal.
In 2011, Jodi was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame – East Boro Chapter. The daughter of club founder Ed Eyles, Jodi still holds several Franklin Regional High School swimming records.
Assistant Coach, Jake Graham
Jake enters his fifth season as an assistant coach for FAST. He also serves as an assistant coach for the Meadowink Swim Club. Previously, he was the head coach of the Park Swim Club Sharks.
A graduate of Gateway High School, Jake captained the Gators’ swim team and was a WPIAL qualifier. He then matriculated to Edinboro University, earning a degree in Education/Health. He swam for the Fighting Scots for four years and became a conference qualifier in the 100 and 200 breaststroke as well as the 200 and 400 individual medley. He also was named captain of the team.
Jake is currently teaching at the Plum Middle School and he is working on a Master’s degree in Education. He enjoys kayaking, camping, and cross-fit training.
"I love being a part of FAST and I am looking forward to a great season. My goal is for the swimmers to love the sport and to have fun while working as hard as we can to be our best everyday"
Assistant Coach, Karen Ellson
Karen brings over 20 years of coaching experience to FAST. She coached in the Eastern Swim Association for the Garden City and Meadowink Swim Clubs. She also served on the coaching staffs for the Gateway High School and Franklin Regional Middle School swim teams. She has been at FAST for over 10 years.
Karen swam competitively for Gateway High School. She held several school records and was a WPIAL qualifier in the 50 and 100 freestyle. She also loved to anchor the Gators’ relay teams.
Karen continued her swimming career at Clarion University where she was a 9-time All-American. She subsequently earned a B.S. in Communications from Clarion.
Karen has three children (Becca, Chris, and Eric), and each of them have been a part of the FAST program.
"I love coaching and being around the swimming culture. It is rewarding to be a part of the athletic process and seeing swimmers reach their potential and goals. Swimming is a challenging sport that takes a special person to endure the process. I value the importance of a solid foundation of fundamentals and great technique."