PVS Swimposium: Coaches Education Presented by Fitter & Faster
University of Maryland - Eppley Recreation Center
4128 Valley Dr,
College Park,
MD 20742
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Introduction
Fitter & Faster and Potomac Valley Swimming are teaming up to deliver a high-impact day of learning and development — created exclusively for coaches in the PVS community.
Taking place on September 6, 2025, this one-day clinic is packed with valuable, actionable content to help coaches at all levels grow their programs and support their swimmers more effectively.
👉 All sessions and keynote lunch — just $25 for PVS Coaches
✔️ Season planning and practice writing strategies
✔️ Tools for motivating today’s athletes
✔️ Mental skills development for age group coaches
✔️ Deep dive into the college swimming landscape
✔️ Meet Director & OME training for operational support
✔️ Keynote lunch with Coach Matt Barany (University of Richmond)
Whether you work with developing swimmers or college prospects, this experience will leave you with fresh ideas, renewed purpose, and a stronger connection to fellow coaches across the LSC.
👇 Scroll down for session times and curriculum details.
🔒 Register now to secure your spot!
Be sure to check out the ages 13 & Over swim camp, ages 9 to 12 swim camp, and parent education session — all part of an unforgettable weekend built for the entire PVS community.
Suggested Participants
This clinic is ideal for any Potomac Valley Swimming coach who wants to enhance their impact on deck. Whether you work with age group swimmers or college-bound athletes, you’ll gain tools for season planning, motivation, mental skills, and practice design — plus valuable updates on college swimming and meet operations.
Curriculum
Coaches attending this full-day experience will gain valuable tools to improve practice design, athlete motivation, mental skills development, and long-term planning. Sessions are led by respected leaders in coaching, mental performance, and the swimming community. Whether you're working with 8 & Unders or preparing athletes for the collegiate level, you'll walk away with new strategies and inspiration to take your coaching to the next level.
- Season Planning – John Nelson (Fitter & Faster Director of Education & Performance) - 9:00–10:25 AM: John Nelson brings decades of experience coaching across all levels, including club, college, and national teams. In this session, he’ll walk you through how to structure a season with purpose — from long-term goals to weekly microcycles. His experience developing training progressions and athlete pipelines makes this session especially valuable for coaches looking to build consistency and clarity in their season approach.
- Meet Director & OME Training – Potomac Valley Swimming – 9:00–10:25 AM: (Runs concurrently with Season Planning) This administrative session is perfect for coaches looking to step into meet management roles. Learn the ins and outs of serving as a Meet Director and using the Online Meet Entry (OME) system to streamline competition operations.
- Motivating Today’s Athletes – Zac Hojnacki (Performance Coach & Mental Skills Educator) - 10:30–11:55 AM: Zac Hojnacki specializes in bridging the gap between athlete psychology and everyday coaching. In this session, he’ll focus on understanding the unique challenges today's swimmers face and share tools to build intrinsic motivation, accountability, and buy-in. Zac’s work with swimmers and coaches across all age groups makes this session especially actionable for coaches working to improve athlete engagement and culture.
- Keynote Lunch – Coach Matt Barany (Head Coach, University of Richmond Women’s Swimming) - 12:00–1:20 PM: During this midday break, all participants will gather for a shared keynote experience with Coach Matt Barany — a dynamic speaker known for his passion, creativity, and thought-provoking perspective on sport and personal growth. Coach Barany will speak to athletes, coaches, and parents alike about the power of curiosity, the importance of connection, and how we can all grow through our roles in the swimming community.
- The Landscape of College Swimming – Samantha Barany & Guest Coaches (Ages 13 & Over Focus) - 1:30–2:55 PM: Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), brings unmatched insight into the current college swimming environment. Joined by a panel of experienced college coaches, this session will cover recruiting trends, eligibility expectations, and how club coaches can best prepare and support athletes pursuing collegiate swimming.
- Building Mental Skills into Your Program – Zac Hojnacki (Ages 9 to 12 Focus) - 1:30–2:55 PM: In this 12 & Under–focused session, Zac will explore how coaches can integrate mental skills — like self-talk, focus, and emotional control — directly into practices. His expertise in working with developing athletes helps coaches learn how to teach resilience and confidence in age-appropriate ways without overcomplicating their training plans.
- Practice Writing – John Nelson (Fitter & Faster Director of Education & Performance) - 3:00–4:30 PM: In this hands-on session, John returns to help coaches design workouts that are purposeful, efficient, and aligned with athlete development goals. His ability to break down complex training ideas into digestible, practical plans makes this session especially impactful for coaches seeking to evolve their daily training structure.
- Meet Director & OME Training – Potomac Valley Swimming – 3:00–4:30 PM: (Runs concurrently with Practice Writing) This afternoon option covers the same Meet Director and OME content, ideal for those who prefer to attend the morning education sessions. Coaches will gain practical tools and confidence to support team operations at meets throughout the season.
