Outstanding Coaching Award

The Pacific Masters Coach of the Year award is given to a coach who has demonstrated outstanding coaching qualities.

The criteria for the Coach of the Year award are measured by the following competitive and non-competitive factors:

• Club and individual performance at sanctioned events that reflect the coach's skill and inspiration
• Club vigor, size, and growth, club participation and volunteering, and hosting well-run events
• Outstanding service to Pacific Masters, to USMS, and to other community organizations
• Outstanding professional contributions, such as participation in clinics and published works

Nominations may be made by any Pacific Masters club. A nominating letter and a maximum of four supporting letters from registered swimmers must be submitted to the selection committee by the February meeting of Pacific Masters Swimming. More details can be found in Section 101.8.7 of the Administrative Handbook.

Andy Brenan

Pacific Masters Swimming Coach of the Year 2023
Sacramento Masters Swimming

Congratulations to our 2023 Coach of the Year Andy Brenan, Head Coach of Sacramento Masters Swimming!

Over the past year, Andy has shown unwavering commitment to ensuring that Sacramento Masters continues to swim and thrive, even in the face of adversity. His tireless efforts have created a foundation for the club to grow and increase its presence in the competitive swimming world.

The COVID pandemic presented major challenges to Sacramento Masters, when their practice facility was permanently closed. Working with his assistant coaches and swimmers Andy was able to keep Sacramento Masters afloat by forming a nonprofit corporation and securing lane space at the newly built North Natomas Aquatics Complex.

In his 23+ years of coaching, Andy has touched the lives of hundreds of swimmers, fostering a positive and supportive environment for them to grow both as athletes and individuals.

Andy Brenan, Pacific Masters Swimming Coach of the Year

Dana Kirk

Pacific Masters Swimming Coach of the Year 2022
Fremont Hills Masters

As well as coaching Fremont Hills Masters and the USA swimming team, Dana Kirk is the Aquatics Director for the Country Club. Dana’s swimming resume is stellar. As an athlete, Dana was NCAA a national champion in the 100-yard and 200-yard fly. She was an Olympian at the 2004 Athens games, qualifying along with her sister Tara. They became the first sisters to swim together on a U.S. Olympic team. She graduated from Stanford in 2006.

Dana, is an ambassador for all levels of swimming. Her greatest strengths are her enthusiasm, joy, positive energy and her ability to connect with swimmers. She takes fierce pride in encouraging women as coaches. For years, her leadership with Women in Coaching for USA swim has had a profound impact.

Dana selflessly supports every level of swimmer – from beginners to world champions. By engaging returning college swimmers as Masters assistant coaches, Dana connects the age groups. She’s an exceptional technician, knows how to make stroke corrections and explain them so swimmers easily understand how to make adjustments. Older swimmers have improved immeasurably through Dana’s support, encouragement and motivation, with many performing beyond their expectations.

Dana is a committed organizer and advocate for charity events. Fremont Hills Masters has participated in fundraisers for Puerto Rico after the hurricane, Paradise victims, Swim Across America, Kick for Kids and have supported Stanford in their multiple myeloma fundraiser.

As Head Coach, Dana founded PASA-DKS in 2008, an affiliate of Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics. The team has grown to over 200 swimmers. Her coaching career began with the Green Meadow’s summer league team in 2007, leading her team to their first championship (summer 2010) in over 25 years.

Dana has the ability to make people believe in themselves, while retaining her excellence, joy and energy. Fremont Hills Masters is a relatively small team but is huge in its strong sense of community, friendship among teammates and a desire to be better swimmers – all thanks to Dana.

Year	Recipient	Club	USMS Link
2023	Andy Brenan	Sacramento Masters Swimming
2022	Dana Kirk	Fremont Hills Masters	https://www.usms.org/people/06CJG
2021	Donita Flecker	Sebastopol Master Aquatic Club
2020	Mary Kahn	Davis Aquatics Masters
2019	Tim Edmonds	Stanford Masters
2018	Mike Lynch	Peninsula Community Center Masters
2017	Carol Nip	Alameda Armada Aquatic Masters
2016	Mike Kazek	CAL Maritime Academy Masters
2015	Mary Ann Nygren	TriValley Masters
2014	Marcia Benjamin	Marcia's Enthusiastic Masters of Oakland (MEMO)
2013	Tom Reudy	San Mateo Masters
2012	Stu Kahn	Davis Aquatic Masters
2011	Cokie Lepinski	SwymNuts
2010	Chris Campbell	Mountain View Masters
2009	Linda Gilchrist
2008	Laureen Welting
2007	Hermine Terhorst
2006	Valerie Boreyko
2005	Patty Scott-Bair
2004	Alan Liu
2003	Scott Williams
2002	Joel Wilson
2001	Sharlene Van Boer
2000	Marie McSweeny
1999	Tina Talbot
1998	Tim Sheeper
1997	Brian Stack
1996	Doug Huestis
1995	Mo Chambers
1994	Polly Kraemer-Upshaw
1993	Mike Collins
1992	Kerry O'Brien		https://www.usms.org/people/03FX6