Heronettes Coaches
Anna Montgomery - Head Coach
Marissa D'Amico - Intro Coach
Rose Oblena
Sarah DelVecchio
Rachel Lavigne
Melissa Cowan
Patty Simell - Team Manager
Meet some of our coaches:
Anna Montgomery : Head Coach
How long have you been involved with artistic swimming and to what capacity?
All with Hamden Heronettes: Swimmer from 1987-1996. Coach from 2003-present. Head Coach from 2013 to present. Judging Official for most of my coaching career.
What is your "synchro'" history?
It started by coming to a Heronettes water show in 1987, and my mom asked if I wanted to try it. Joined in the fall on the training team. Swam in the second Age Group National Championship in Virginia. Participated in the Age Group National Championships for the rest of my "synchro" career. Also swam in the Junior US National Championship in 1995 and 1996. A couple years after college my old head coach asked if I wanted to come back and help out. Have been coaching since then.
What are your coaching qualifications?
See above for number of years coaching. Previously was an instructor for children’s swimming lessons at the YMCA. USAAS Coaching Certification Program level 3. Level 3 (US Zone level) Judging Official. Certified Assessor for USAAS LTAD Grade Levels 1-3. Safe Sport and Heads Up Concussion training.
What is your favorite "synchro" memory?
Can’t possibly choose one, or even two!! All have to do with team camaraderie and trying your best in difficult circumstances.
What is your all-time favorite song to swim to?
My favorite from being a swimmer is Rodeo by Copland or Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky. My favorite recent music was Jailbreak or the Bollywood-themed routine songs.
Anna Montgomery - Head Coach
Marissa D'Amico - Intro Coach
Rose Oblena
Sarah DelVecchio
Rachel Lavigne
Melissa Cowan
Patty Simell - Team Manager
Meet some of our coaches:
Anna Montgomery : Head Coach
How long have you been involved with artistic swimming and to what capacity?
All with Hamden Heronettes: Swimmer from 1987-1996. Coach from 2003-present. Head Coach from 2013 to present. Judging Official for most of my coaching career.
What is your "synchro'" history?
It started by coming to a Heronettes water show in 1987, and my mom asked if I wanted to try it. Joined in the fall on the training team. Swam in the second Age Group National Championship in Virginia. Participated in the Age Group National Championships for the rest of my "synchro" career. Also swam in the Junior US National Championship in 1995 and 1996. A couple years after college my old head coach asked if I wanted to come back and help out. Have been coaching since then.
What are your coaching qualifications?
See above for number of years coaching. Previously was an instructor for children’s swimming lessons at the YMCA. USAAS Coaching Certification Program level 3. Level 3 (US Zone level) Judging Official. Certified Assessor for USAAS LTAD Grade Levels 1-3. Safe Sport and Heads Up Concussion training.
What is your favorite "synchro" memory?
Can’t possibly choose one, or even two!! All have to do with team camaraderie and trying your best in difficult circumstances.
What is your all-time favorite song to swim to?
My favorite from being a swimmer is Rodeo by Copland or Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky. My favorite recent music was Jailbreak or the Bollywood-themed routine songs.
Rachael Ann Lavigne - but call me "Ray" : Assistant Coach
How long have you been involved with artistic swimming and to what capacity?
26 years total: 11 as a national level competitor and assistant coaching during the end and since!
What is your "synchro" history?
Joined Synchro-Maids of Central MA at the age of 6 and competed through senior year of HS. Assistant coach for Synchro-Maids, Aqua Divas (former team that existed in Woburn, MA), and now Hamden Heronettes.
What are your coaching qualifications?
Experience teaching water exercise classes, private and group swim lessons instructor to all ages (6 mo to 90 yrs), coaching competitive race swimming, self taught yogi, CCP 3 level USAAS coach, experience training triathletes and people with disabilities to swim. Career includes knowledge of biomechanics and the musculoskeletal system.
What is your favorite "synchro" memory?
Trying to help each other de-knox while over tired and silly after long meets/ hanging out at travel meets.
What is your all-time favorite song to swim to?
I'm stumped by this one. Haha
How long have you been involved with artistic swimming and to what capacity?
26 years total: 11 as a national level competitor and assistant coaching during the end and since!
What is your "synchro" history?
Joined Synchro-Maids of Central MA at the age of 6 and competed through senior year of HS. Assistant coach for Synchro-Maids, Aqua Divas (former team that existed in Woburn, MA), and now Hamden Heronettes.
What are your coaching qualifications?
Experience teaching water exercise classes, private and group swim lessons instructor to all ages (6 mo to 90 yrs), coaching competitive race swimming, self taught yogi, CCP 3 level USAAS coach, experience training triathletes and people with disabilities to swim. Career includes knowledge of biomechanics and the musculoskeletal system.
What is your favorite "synchro" memory?
Trying to help each other de-knox while over tired and silly after long meets/ hanging out at travel meets.
What is your all-time favorite song to swim to?
I'm stumped by this one. Haha
Marisa D'Amico : Assistant Coach
How long have you been involved with artistic swimming and to what capacity?
8 years as a swimmer, 15 years as a coach
What is your "synchro" history?
I started swimming in elementary school and continued through my senior year of high school. I left the state for college and when I returned I started coaching. I have coached swimmers at the novice level through experienced Age
Group.
What are your coaching qualifications?
Level 3 Zone judge, CCP level 2, CPR & lifeguard certified.
What is your favorite "synchro" memory?
Swimmer moment: not a specific moment or day, but just the memories of practice with girls who became some of my best friends. Laughing through even the toughest of practices.
Coach moment: Every time I watch a swimmer figure out how to perform a new skill she has been struggling with.
What is your all-time favorite song to swim to?
Too many to choose from.
How long have you been involved with artistic swimming and to what capacity?
8 years as a swimmer, 15 years as a coach
What is your "synchro" history?
I started swimming in elementary school and continued through my senior year of high school. I left the state for college and when I returned I started coaching. I have coached swimmers at the novice level through experienced Age
Group.
What are your coaching qualifications?
Level 3 Zone judge, CCP level 2, CPR & lifeguard certified.
What is your favorite "synchro" memory?
Swimmer moment: not a specific moment or day, but just the memories of practice with girls who became some of my best friends. Laughing through even the toughest of practices.
Coach moment: Every time I watch a swimmer figure out how to perform a new skill she has been struggling with.
What is your all-time favorite song to swim to?
Too many to choose from.
Melissa Bruhn : Assistant Coach
Rose Oblena : Assistant Coach
Sarah DelVecchio : Assistant Coach
Collette Lynch : Assistant Coach
Rose Oblena : Assistant Coach
Sarah DelVecchio : Assistant Coach
Collette Lynch : Assistant Coach
Patty Simell : Team Manager
Patty has been involved with the Hamden Heronettes and artistic swimming since 2005. Prior to stepping into the position of Team Manager her daughter was a 10-year member on the team. During that time Patty was chairperson of the Watershow and was on the Heronettes parent board as treasurer and fundraising coordinator. Patty was never an artistic swimmer (but wishes she was) and is grateful to remain involved involved with a sport she loves. Patty is a Registered Nurse who graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a BSN. She has worked in neurosurgery, public health, and is presently the Assistant Director of Assisted Living at Whitney Center, a retirement community in Hamden. Patty loves to read, scrapbook, but most of all travel.
Patty has been involved with the Hamden Heronettes and artistic swimming since 2005. Prior to stepping into the position of Team Manager her daughter was a 10-year member on the team. During that time Patty was chairperson of the Watershow and was on the Heronettes parent board as treasurer and fundraising coordinator. Patty was never an artistic swimmer (but wishes she was) and is grateful to remain involved involved with a sport she loves. Patty is a Registered Nurse who graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a BSN. She has worked in neurosurgery, public health, and is presently the Assistant Director of Assisted Living at Whitney Center, a retirement community in Hamden. Patty loves to read, scrapbook, but most of all travel.
