Coaches & Directors

Carleanne Fierro

Head Coach | Program Director

Carleanne “Coach Carle” Fierro is the visionary and driving force behind the success of Westchester Aquatic Club. With a coaching career that spans decades, she has cultivated generations of swimmers into champions—both in and out of the water.

Coach Carle began her journey with a deep passion for athlete development, believing that character, discipline, and teamwork are just as important as performance. Her unwavering dedication to youth swimming has placed her at the forefront of the sport nationally.

Olympians & Champions

Coach Carle has developed numerous elite swimmers, including:

Cristina Teuscher (ages 6–10) – Olympic Gold Medalist
Kate Douglass (ages 7–15) – Olympic Medalist
Claire Weinstein (ages 6–14) – World Champion

These athletes all began their competitive swimming journeys under Coach Carle’s guidance.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Over 150 National Age Group Rankings, including 16 #1 National Rankings.
110 Metropolitan Swimming Age Group Records.
7 USA Swimming National Age Group Records.

Leadership & Recognition

Chosen as one of only 13 women in the U.S. to attend the first USA Swimming Women’s Leadership and National Team Coaches Summit.
Named a Top 10 National Age Group Coach of the Year in 2008–2009, 2013–2014, and 2015–2016.
Honored as Journal News Boys High School Coach of the Year six times during her high school coaching career from 1984–2010.
Recipient of numerous Metropolitan Swimming “Age Group Coach of the Year” awards.

Beyond the Pool

Coach Carle is also a contributor to the swimming community through her writing. Her insights and coaching philosophy have been published in:

American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA)
SwimSwam Magazine
Swimming World Magazine

"I believe in creating an environment where young swimmers can learn to believe in themselves—not just as athletes, but as confident and resilient human beings." – Coach Carle

Michael Gavrilchin

Senior Coach | Strength & Conditioning | Web Admin

Contact Coach Michael

Coach Michael brings a multifaceted background and deep-rooted commitment to athlete development. With experience as both a high-performance swimmer and technical coach, he’s known for creating a structured, motivating environment that encourages excellence, resilience, and long-term growth.

His coaching philosophy centers on inspiring athletes to be disciplined, strong, and technically sound, while fostering personal character. Michael believes that excellence in sport translates into excellence in life—and that’s what he strives to cultivate in every swimmer.

Athlete Development & Coaching Impact

Michael has guided swimmers from their earliest stages of learning to swim all the way to National-Level Competitors, with a strong emphasis on technical precision, strength training, and mental preparation. His programs are built to unlock peak performance while promoting longevity in the sport.

Education & Certifications

B.S. in Nutrition & Exercise Science, Queens College (Concentration: Strength & Conditioning)
B.S. in Computer Information Systems, City University of New York
ASCA Level 5 Certified Coach (AG)
NASM Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist

Athletic Background

2011 NCAA DIII Championship Finalist – All-America in 100 Butterfly
2011 ECAC Open Champion – 100 Butterfly
Skyline Conference Record Holder – 100 Fly, 100 Free, 100 Back
2005 & 2006 FINA World Cup Qualifier
2011 U.S. Nationals Qualifier
2014 FINA World Masters Championship Medalist – 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle

"Great coaching is not just about performance—it’s about helping swimmers become their best selves, in and out of the pool." – Coach Michael