Coaches <- back to Home   Head Coach:  Marcelo Possato   This is my 4th year as Barracuda's head coach. I really enjoyed coaching last year. It was a great experience and now I know that we can improve much more during this summer.  I've been a coach for about 7 years, working in both USA and Brazil. I coached several swimmers to personal best times, regionals and age-group championships.   As a swimmer, I'm still a record holder for 100 and 200 back at Southern Illinois University. I swam in several meets around the world as a Brazil's team member and I was in the top 50 fastest swimmers in both 100 and 200 back in the world in 2005.   I am very much looking forward to a season of fun and improvement for all of the Barracuda swimmers!     Assistant Coach:  Traci Reiner   This will be my 2nd year coaching. I am so excited, especially since I grew up as a part of the Barracuda family!  I just finished my 2nd year at Illinois State University, majoring in Elementary Education. I have been a part of the Barracuda team from age 12-18 years old, as well as the B.E.S.T. team for 3 years. I also swam for the Bartlett High School girls varsity team for 4 years; 2 of which I was team captain. My favorite events were the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and the 100 butterfly. Besides swimming, I was very involved in the Bartlett Hawks soccer team for 6 years. I also  played on the Bartlett High School team for 3 years. Along with the swim team, I am a lifeguard and a swim instructor for the Bartlett Park District and have been doing that for the past 5 years.  In my free time I like to relax with my family and friends, hang out by the pool, or read a good vampire book.         Assistant Coach:  Claire McCarthy    I loved coaching the Barracudas so much last year, that I am back for my second season! I have two primary goals for the team this year: 1st: To make sure The Bartlett Barracudas are known as the team with the best sportsmanship in the conference. I want to see every Bartlett swimmer shake hands with the swimmers in the lanes next to them before and after every race.   2nd: To make sure that every swimming second is spent with swimmers improving their technique, times and strokes. With hard work, and dedication, I believe every swimmer has the opportunity to SHINE this year! I have spent nearly every summer with the Barracudas since I was 8 years old, some of my best friends are people I met while I was swimming for Barracudas. In 2002, I received the Melanie Andersen Award, the first time it was presented. Melanie was a friend of mine, as well as one of my favorite coaches. Through her, I learned the value of hard work, leadership, and sportsmanship. I look forward to working with all the swimmers on all three of these key elements. In addition to Barracudas, I also swam for B.E.S.T for 3 years. My favorite strokes are Butterfly and Freestyle. When I'm not swimming or coaching, I enjoy running, biking, and spending time with my fiance (Evan), dogs (Samantha and Shadow) and my family.       Assistant Coach:  Tim LaBud   This will be my 13th season with the Barracudas swim team but my first as a coach. I am so excited to be a part of the team again. I swam for 12 years on the Barracudas and I have also been part of the BEST, B.R, Ryall, and Wheaton Swim Club. My best events were the 100 Back, 100 Fly, and 100 Free. I have been a student at the University of Illinois for two years studying to become an English teacher. Aside from school and coaching, I work as a lifeguard both at the Bartlett Park District and in Champaign. I played volleyball, football, and ran cross country at Bartlett High School, in addition to swimming. I love to hang out around the pool and play sand volleyball in the summer. I can't wait to be on deck at the BAC again and to help Marcello, Claire, and Traci give the kids a great season.