Antigo Swim Club

Andrew has been the head coach of the Antigo Penguins swim club since 2020, bringing extensive experience to the role. He began swimming competitively at the age of six in Alaska and continued for 16 years. During his high school career, Andrew set state records in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 100 butterfly. His talent earned him a scholarship to swim for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he broke team records in the 50m freestyle and several relay events. 

In 2000, Andrew qualified for and competed at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in both the 50 and 100 freestyle. After his collegiate career, he ventured into triathlon, winning the 2002 Midwest Regional Collegiate Championship and becoming the overall amateur national champion at the Xterra National Championships that same year. 

Throughout his athletic journey, Andrew has shared his expertise by coaching masters swimmers and triathletes, leading a YMCA masters program, and co-founding a triathlon clinic. His coaching career also includes heading both the Antigo varsity swim program and the middle school girls' swim program. 

Since 2005, Andrew and his wife, Stephanie, have proudly lived in Antigo, where they are raising their seven children together. His coaching philosophy centers around the belief that swimming offers valuable life lessons such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Andrew is dedicated to helping each swimmer achieve their personal best, whether they are looking to improve their skills or compete at higher levels. He strives to create an environment where all athletes can thrive and develop a lifelong love for the sport. Join us in welcoming Coach Andrew as he inspires the next generation of swimmers with his passion and dedication! 

“The mind leads the body,” said my high school coach. He had many sayings and inspirations, and this one sticks with me forty years later. To me, the saying is about how athletes have a choice to balance both physical and mental aspects of sports. As a swim coach, I aim for swimmers to enjoy growth in both those aspects of their lives.

Swimming was a formative part of my childhood in Fairbanks Alaska; I swam year-round from age 7 to 18 and traveled with the team across Alaska, Hawaii, and Finland. Then I went on to assistant coach several years for my local swim club and my high school team. After that I was lifeguard and swimming instructor well into my thirties. I was a butterflier and sprint freestyler, and now I love swimming across and around our local lakes.

I care deeply about youth and community, and am honored to spend time on the deck helping swimmers enjoy the journey of being their best selves and swimming well.

Coach Heather Aren is one of our dedicated summer swim coaches! Born and raised in Antigo, Heather graduated in 2021 and has just completed her undergraduate degree in Sports Management at Southwest Minnesota State University. 

With an impressive 17 years of competitive swimming, Heather has just finished her collegiate swimming career and has been coaching since she was a freshman in high school. She has continued to coach with the Antigo Swim Club during the summers throughout her college journey and has also coached female strength and conditioning at Antigo High School. Driven by the connections she formed with her own coaches, Heather is passionate about instilling a love for the sport in younger athletes to help grow swimming in the community. 

During her swimming career, Heather set multiple high school and club records and received the prestigious Michelle Koss Award and Clara R. McKenna Award while at Antigo. At SMSU, she was part of a school record-setting relay team and achieved numerous top 5 times in program history. Her accomplishments in college also include receiving multiple accolades such as the Student Athlete Leadership Award twice, the Civic Engagement and Leadership Award, and the Ultimate Mustang Award twice. Additionally, she served as the SAAC Co-President for two years. 

This summer, Heather aims to push swimmers both in and out of the water to improve themselves. She is committed to helping them gain confidence in their abilities as they strive to reach their maximum potential. Currently, she works as the K-8 Athletic Director for Newman Catholic High School. 

Manda is a mom of three, with two of her own kids in the Swim Club. She and her husband have a long history of coaching snowboarding & skiing in California & Colorado. While coaching swim is new for Manda, she has an understanding of movement analysis that transfers well from the snow sports industry. She loves watching the kids grow in their skills every time they're together and is grateful for the opportunity to serve.