Coach Kaitlyn started swimming at the age of five and still swims today. She is a member of the Colorado State University Swim Club and is studying Environmental Engineering at CSU. Kaitlyn in the past has taught swim lessons for ages 5-13, volunteered at free swim clinics and now stepped into the role as a coach for FAST. Kaitlyn’s favorite part of swimming is the people she has met, and the everlasting community that she gets to take part in. 

Joined FAST: 2025

Coach Emma began club swimming in Pueblo, Colorado at 13. She swam  high school and club swimming until college, where she now swims for  the Colorado State University Swim Club. She began working with  swimmers as a swim instructor at 16. In 2024 and 2025, she served as  Program Director for Pueblo County Parks and Recreation, where she m anaged the summer learn-to-swim program. She began coaching with  Liberty Common High School in 2023, where she currently works as an  assistant coach with the men’s and women’s programs.

Currently a senior at CSU studying Biomedical Sciences and Spanish,  she plans to continue her education and pursue a Doctorate in Physical  Therapy. She loves connecting anatomy and physiology to swimming and  catering her approach to each individual to maximize their success in  the sport.

Her coaching philosophy stems from her experience as a swimmer. She  believes that swimming brings not only strength and improvement in the  water but also character and values that carry over into all aspects  of an athlete’s life. Her favorite part of coaching is getting to know  each swimmer and working with each athlete as an individual to help  them achieve their own goals, both in and out of the water.

Allie began coaching in 2014 with Collindale, during her summers in college. She swam Division I for Colorado State University on an athletic scholarship, competed on the travel team, and was captain her junior year. She graduated from Colorado State University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine. Once she was done competing in college Allie started coaching at FAST, assisting Hammerheads. Since then she has assisted Arete, as well as become the lead coach of Tigershark, and now leads Hammerhead and Discovery.

Eric joined FAST in the spring of 2015 and is heading into his 35th year of coaching.  His swimming background encompasses collegiate water polo, masters swimming and over 100 triathlons.  Eric has coached athletes for pool competition, triathlon and open water. He is currently the head coach at FAST Masters and owner of a multisport coaching business Train Smart Race Race Fast   He is the 2016 Colorado Masters Coach of the Year. 2019 recipient of the United States Masters Swimming (USMS) Kerry O'brien coaching award and received the COMSA Jack Buchanan service award in 2024.

Eric has coached both USMS and USA club programs and multiple masters national and world record holders. He is a 3x Ironman Hawaii World Championship finisher, 4 x 70.3 World Championship Qualifier and 8x Boston Marathon Qualifier

Joined FAST: 2010

Education: Interior Design, Colorado State University

MacKenzie is the longest active coach at FAST and has had many roles since joining the club. In her current position she is the lead coach for Nova and Fireball along with her role as Team Evaluation Coordinator. Coach MacK also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Swimming Coaches Association where she is entering her second year of leading the organizations Women's Initiative. 

Prior to her return as lead group coach at FAST, she was the Assistant Women Swim Coach at Colorado State University. During her time at CSU the team moved up 5 places in the Mountain West Conference, earned 11 consecutive Scholar All American Awards, posted their best dual meet records in over a decade, was recognized for having the MWC Swimmer of the Year, Senior of the Year, and was the lead coach for athletes earning over 20 school records and over 30 NCAA cuts. 

MacKenzie swam for Colorado State University on an athletic scholarship. She graduated in 2008 and received the Leadership Award from the College of Applied Human Sciences. Additionally, she was the recipient of the 2011 Doc Counsilman Award given by the American Swimming Coaches Association for creative and innovative workouts. She has represented Colorado Swimming at the age gourd zone level, and was selected to be a member of the USA Swimming Women’s Leadership Summit in 2015, 2017 and 2025.

MacKenzie coaching philosophy is centered around creating a positive environment for athletes, teaching them how to love the sport, and supporting the parents of each swimmer. Athletes in Nova and Fireball will be shown the importance of building world class character through excellence in swimming on a daily basis.

MacKenzie is married to Mike Novell who is a Senior Advisor for Club Development at USA Swimming. They have 4 kids, Molly, Bob, Wyatt and Cameron along with their dog, Danny. When they are all off deck they enjoy camping, riding bikes, and going to the lake.

Coach Rylee began her competitive swimming journey in Montana on a club team at age 5. During her time there, she became a Montana state record holder. At 17, she moved to Fort Collins, where she finished her high school career swimming for FAST. In her single high school season, Rylee was part of two 5A state-champion relays in the 200 medley and 400 freestyle for Fossil Ridge High School.

Rylee continued on to compete Division I for the University of Missouri (Mizzou) for two years before transferring to Colorado State University to complete both her athletic and academic career. At CSU, she became a top-10 all-time performer in the 200 IM and 200 fly and contributed to the team’s third-place finish at the Mountain West Conference Championships. She is currently studying Biology with a pre-med emphasis and plans to pursue medical school.

Rylee served as the head coach for a summer league team in Missouri and volunteered as a coach for the Special Olympics swim team through Mizzou. For the past two summers, she has been an assistant coach for the Collindale Summer Swim Team.

Joined FAST:  2015

Education:  B.S. in Political Science, Willamette University

Coach Doug began coaching with Salem Aquatic Club (Salem, OR) while still completing his Bachelor’s Degree and college swimming career.  He started as the 8&U coach and advanced to Head Age Group Coach during his seven years with Salem Aquatic Club.  During his time in Oregon, Coach Doug worked with numerous age group state champions and received an Oregon Age Group Coach of the Year Award.

After moving to Colorado, Coach Doug was the Head Coach at Greeley Swim Club for two years.  During his time with GSC. the team had its first Senior National Qualifier since 1986 and had multiple athletes win individual state titles at both the USA swimming and High School Swimming Championships.

Prior to joining FAST,  Coach Doug also spent 16 years as the Head Coach at the Eaton Red Waves.  After starting with a club of almost thirty athletes and only Silver State Qualifiers, he successfully increased both the size of the team and the levels at which its athletes compete.  Coach Doug developed over a dozen Zone Qualifiers, as well as all of the All Star Selections and Sectional Qualifiers in Eaton Red Waves history.

Coach Doug also has eighteen years of High School coaching experience with both boys and girls.  He has worked with student athletes at Greeley Central, Eaton High School and just this past two years the Fossil Ridge Boys Swimming and Diving Team.  His highlights include multiple individual state titles in individual events and relays at both the 4A and 5A levels, two 4A state records, and an overall team title.

Coach Emily, started FAST as a swimmer in 2011. She has been coached by Coach MacKenzie, Coach Doug, Coach Quinn, and Coach Kirk. Coach Emily swam for Fort Collins Area Swim team for 8 years before going to swim at Adams State University for three years. Emily than made the hard choice to transfer and go to the University of Northern Colorado (GO BEARS!) where she earned her degree in Special Education. 

Quickly after graduation she went back to school and received her master’s degree in applied Behavior Analysis (BCBA) therapy. Coach Emily’s day job is being an ILC teacher at Mountain View High School. Through all this schooling she never could get off the pool deck. She was able to be an assistant coach for Fort Collins High School during the girl’s season as well as Mountain View High School girls swim team. 

In her free time coach Emily loves to do anything outdoors like hiking, skiing, walking her dog. She truly loves coaching and being able to show kids the love of swimming that she still has. She is so excited to be back at the team that started her love for the sport. 

Joined FAST: 2015

Kirk's first role with FAST was as the lead Senior and High School coach for 5 years.  He has coached Nova, Discovery, Ascend, and Arete.  In August 2019, he stepped down as a lead coach and is now a happy assistant to all groups at FAST.   

Kirk is also our resident PSD high school coach.  He is currently the head coach of both the girls and boys at Fort Collins High School.  There, he has had the privilege of coaching-   

• 2 state High School Champions  
• 12 All-Conference Champions 
• 10+ All- Americans  

With FAST he has helped coach multiple Zone, Sectional, Junior National, and Olympic Trial swimmers.  

Kirk has been part of the Colorado All-Stars staff (USA Swimming)  

• CHSAA’s 5a coach of the year twice  
• 4-time coach of the year for the Front Range League (boys)  
• 3-time coach of the year Front Range League (girls)  
• Won the 2023 "Sonny Lubick Coach of Character Award" from CHAMP Fort Collins

From when it all started in 1996 to the present, Kirk's coaching philosophy has always been based on positive reinforcement, teaching proper technique, getting to know his athletes, and, of course, having a little fun! 

Kirk’s most treasured thing in life is his son CJ. They enjoy life together, traveling, playing sports, exploring Fort Collins, gaming, laughing, and watching movies on the couch.     He also knows he wouldn’t be as successful as he is without the support and love of his family and friends.