Coaching and Swimming Experience:

Coach Ryan has either competed or coached at nearly every level of competitive swimming. A Lebanon, PA native, he swam for Falcon Swim Club, the Lebanon YMCA, and Cedar Crest High School. After a break, he competed at Bloomsburg University and upon graduation he ranked 3rd in school history in the 100 Breaststroke. He started coaching at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA and at the Rappahannock Area YMCA. At Mary Washington, Ryan acted as recruiting coordinator and successfully recruited class sizes of 12, 16, and 22 swimmers. On deck, Ryan helped coach the women's team to three consecutive conference championships (2022, 2023, and 2024) and two consecutive top-25 finishes at NCAAs (2022 and 2023). Ryan was also part of the Conference Women's Coaching Staff of the year in 2022, 2023, and 2024. During his time at Mary Washington, he coached 5 NCAA qualifiers including one swimmer to 9 All-American Honors. Following the 2024 season, Ryan went to Penn State University where he assisted with recruiting, athlete performance analysis, race strategy development, and travel coordination. Ryan has also coached summer swim camps at the University of Virginia, NC State, the Naval Academy, and through Nike swim camps at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland. 

Favorite part of coaching: Seeing swimmers realize they're capable of more than they thought possible.

Coach Bre here with the Lightning! I have been swimming since I was 8 years old and have participated in every level of swimming from club, to summer league, to high school, college, and now masters. I have coached on and off for the last 17 years, and currently am going on year ten with the Landisville Dolphins alongside the Lightning. Some of my accomplishments include being ranked top 12 nationally for the 50m breaststroke as well as being recognized as a PSAC Scholar Athlete. 

One of my most memorable moments as a swimmer athlete would have to be achieving my very first Middle Atlantic Zones cut. It was a super cold rainy day competing at NBAC. That experience convinced that swimming in the cold is when we swim our fastest! Ha 

Fun facts did you know that only about half (54%) of the population can swim 50m without stopping? And that only 0.1% of people ever swim competitively! You guys are amazing athletes! 

I am looking forward to another great season with the Lightning!

This coach is awesome!

This coach is awesome!

My passion for swimming began at the age of 4 through summer swimming, and by age 6, I was competing on the Lancaster YMCA Swim Team, where I swam through high school graduation. Throughout my swimming career, I competed at the local and state levels and qualified for YMCA Nationals in 100 backstroke. My experience in aquatics also includes working as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and coach for younger swimmers.

I have remained actively involved in competitive swimming as a parent, summer swim stroke and turn judge, and volunteer swim instructor. I enjoy helping swimmers refine their stroke technique, build confidence in the water, and achieve their individual goals while fostering a lifelong love of swimming.

Fun Fact: I'm also an Occupational Therapist! Swimming requires a highly complex set of motor skills, including motor planning, coordination, body awareness, and precise muscle control. Your brain is constantly making tiny adjustments to the timing, force, and direction of your movements based on what your body feels in the water. Basically, your brain is working just as hard as your muscles every time you dive into the pool!

Coaching Experience

Lancaster YMCA Lightning Strength and Conditioning

JP McCaskey Swim Team

JP McCaskey Cross Country and Track & Field

Personal Trainer

Swim Experience

JP McCaskey Swim Team

What I Love About Coaching Lightning Swimmers

The progression of putting in the work from dryland into the water.

Coaching Experience

Lancaster YMCA Lightning

Lampeter Strasburg Summer Swim Team

Swim America

Skyline Summer Swim Team

Bahamas National Swim Team

Swift Swimming 

Dolphins Swim Club 

Swim Experience

Bahamian National Swim team

Represented the Bahamas in multiple international meets

Carfita, CISC, CCCAN, Pan American Games

Bahamas international record on the open water 5k

Swift Swimming 

Dolphins Swim Club 

Began my swim experience at age 6 in Cuba

What I Love About Coaching Lightning

I love the attitude swimmers bring to practice, the determination, and the desire to work hard. My favorite moments are during those daily workouts. When swimmers are ready to be coached after the warm-up. The best moments are after a hard kick set, or swim set- that look of accomplishment on their faces is important. I see that they have exhausted themselves, but at the same time I get this feeling of “what’s next”. I get excited because I remember looking at my coach the same way. Knowing that this is a hard set, but if I do this, I will be better than I was before. I will also be one more step towards my goal. Those are my favorite moments. 

Coaching Experience

Lancaster YMCA Lightning – 2023-Present

Landisville Summer Swim Team, 2016-2018

Swim Instructor at Horizons National, 2017-2020

Swim Instructor for Swim Across America 2014-2022

Swimming Experience

Susquehanna University, 2019-2023

Hempfield High School, 2015-2019

Five Star Swim Club, 2017-2019

Diplomat Swim Club, 2008-2017

Landisville Summer Swim Team, 2005-2019



Most Memorable Swim Experience 

One of my most memorable experiences was returning to competition at Susquehanna University after a year off due to COVID-19 and NCAA restrictions. I concluded my career as a 6-time school record holder in the 500, 1000, and 1650 Freestyle, 400 IM, 400 Free Relay, and 800 Free Relay. I was also honored to serve as team captain and be named to the Landmark Conference All-Sportsmanship Team.

Coaching Experience

Lancaster YMCA Lightning

Conestoga Swim Team

Bent Creek Swim Team

Swimming Experience

Lancaster Lightning

JP McCaskey High School

Hempfield Stingrays Swim Team

Conestoga Swim Team



What I Love About Swimming

I began swimming to rehabilitate a sports injury in high school. My love of swimming and softball led to my Sociology and Sports Management degree. I coached summer league teams in Lancaster County for many years, and I love being part of the amazing coaching staff at Lancaster Lightning.

Coaching Experience

Lancaster YMCA Lightning

Swimming Experience

JP McCaskey Swim Team

USA Swimming

Lancaster YMCA Swimming

Conestoga Swim Team

What I Love About Swimming

Once a swimmer, always a swimmer. My early swimming experience led to the Temple Women's Rowing Team in college and now back to the Lancaster YMCA swim team, where I found my love for the water. The best part of coaching is watching our young athletes swim fast while having fun.

Coaching Experience

Lancaster YMCA Lightning

Otters YMCA Swim Team

Marauder Swim Club

Swimming Experience

Kutztown University

Berwick High School

Why I Love Coaching Lightning Swimmers

I love watching our swimmers realize their potential and build confidence. It is rewarding as a coach and former swimmer to watch the growth. I love being a part of the Lightning team.