The following is a press release courtesy of the Madison Aquatic Club:
The Madison area has a new USA-Swimming approved club. Madison Aquatic Club (MAC) will be taking new registrations for its spring sessions beginning in late March. The club will operate during the summer (long course) season as well as during the fall-winter (short course) season.
MAC will lead the field with an impressive coaching staff with over 20 years of combined experience. It is owned and directed by Shane Ryan, a former record setting All-American collegiate swimmer from UW-La Crosse. Mr. Ryan holds a degree in Sports Management with an emphasis in Competitive Coaching. He has coached swimmers of all ages and abilities for over ten years at the YMCA of Dane County, the Cross Plains Stingrays, and the Southwest Aquatics Team. As Program Director and Head Coach, he has led his teams to two Wisconsin state championship titles and four consecutive YMCA state championships. Carly (Piper) Ryan coaches alongside her husband and leads the program’s swim clinics. She won a gold medal and set a world record as a member of the 4×200 freestyle relay team in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Ms. Ryan is a former UW-Madison swimmer and team captain dominating the Big Ten and UW record books. In addition to Olympic Gold and winning a National Cham pionship, she is a decorated All-American and still holds school records in the freestyle. Also joining the coaching staff is Michael Hanson who is a former collegiate swimmer at UW Stevens Point and WIAA state record holder. In addition to club coaching, Mr. Hanson assisted coaching the 2015 WIAA state champions at Monona Grove High School. Ryan and Hanson have successfully coached together for eight years. The team will swim out of Lafollette High School during the spring and summer seasons.
According to Ryan, our goal is to help nurture the athletes to develop confidence, respect, discipline and dedication that will help them be successful in life. He wants to provide swimmers of all ages and abilities the opportunity to participate in the sport and to provide a lifelong enjoyment of swimming.
Local swimmers, who have swam under Ryan and Hanson previously, are already planning to join the new club. They have seen their efforts advance them to success at Regional, State, Zone and National competition levels. One of these swimmers is Verona high school student and top national recruit, Elizabeth (Beata) Nelson (16). Nelson will be competing at the ISCA Junior National Cup, March 24-28, where she is looking to become the fastest recorded female in the 100 Fly. Nelson has already had a stellar short course season. She set the 15-16 National Age Group record with her win in the 100 Fly (51.06) and also won the 100 back (51.67) against collegiate and Olympic competition at the Arena Grand Prix in Minneapolis this past November and has qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2016.
For those growing up in the Madison area as a swimmer, they might remember the Madison Aquatic Club. Coach Ryan is honored to bring this namesake back into the spotlight of competitive swimming. He takes pride in the achievements of the past while looks forward to building a successful future.
For more information contact Coach/Program Director Shane Ryan at [email protected] or Business Manager Janis Katz at [email protected]. Or visit the team unify site at https://www.teamunify.com/
Thank You!!! I have been disappointed ever since MAC and Badger Aquatics merged. Having the 2 teams gave swimmers a choice. This will really improve year-round swimming in Madison! Returning to the competitive nature we need to build the great swimming in Madison. As a side, (swim, swam, swum) local swimmers who have SWUM under Ryan and Hanson………