About Us
Our Coaches ◊ Our Philosophy ◊ Our Facility
Adam Cremieux - Head Coach and Facility Owner
Adam started as head coach at WEST in the fall of 2004. Adam has been coaching swimming for over twenty years and has coached numerous state champions, junior national qualifiers and multiple Olympic trial qualifiers in that period. In 2015, Adam became the first coach in Illinois history to build and own their own aquatic training center, WEST Superior Training, located in Willowbrook.
Adam attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School where he was a three sport athlete. He swam on Stagg's varsity swimming team for four years; three year state qualifier; All State senior year; school record holder in the 50-yard freestyle. Adam was a two year NCAA Division I swimmer for the University of Northern Iowa. During his freshmen year the team was the Midwest Classic Champions and became the first sophomore in team history to be voted captain.
At Northern Iowa Adam was trained under strength Coach Jim Kramer, voted as one of the best NCAA strength trainers in the nation who later became the head of the US national weightlifting team at the US Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. Adam then transferred and swam two years as a NCAA Division I full scholarship swimmer for the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. Junior year the team became the Horizon League Conference Champions. Adam held team records in the 50-yard Freestyle, the 200-yard Freestyle Relay and the 200-yard Medley Relay. In his senior year, he was honored with the Leadership Award by a vote of his teammates.
Adam started as head coach at WEST in the fall of 2004. Adam has been coaching swimming for over twenty years and has coached numerous state champions, junior national qualifiers and multiple Olympic trial qualifiers in that period. In 2015, Adam became the first coach in Illinois history to build and own their own aquatic training center, WEST Superior Training, located in Willowbrook.
Adam attended Amos Alonzo Stagg High School where he was a three sport athlete. He swam on Stagg's varsity swimming team for four years; three year state qualifier; All State senior year; school record holder in the 50-yard freestyle. Adam was a two year NCAA Division I swimmer for the University of Northern Iowa. During his freshmen year the team was the Midwest Classic Champions and became the first sophomore in team history to be voted captain.
At Northern Iowa Adam was trained under strength Coach Jim Kramer, voted as one of the best NCAA strength trainers in the nation who later became the head of the US national weightlifting team at the US Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. Adam then transferred and swam two years as a NCAA Division I full scholarship swimmer for the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. Junior year the team became the Horizon League Conference Champions. Adam held team records in the 50-yard Freestyle, the 200-yard Freestyle Relay and the 200-yard Medley Relay. In his senior year, he was honored with the Leadership Award by a vote of his teammates.
Kirby Igoe - Head Age Group Coach, 8 & unders, 9&10
Coach Kirby is previous member of WEST Swim Club and has come full circle as he enters his first year as an assistant coach for the club. Kirby assists with the 9-10, 11-12, Senior and National practice groups. He has over 13 years of coaching experience at the age group, high school, and summer club levels. Kirby enjoys bringing a positive, enthusiastic, and energy-filled style to the team.
Kirby’s experience with age group swimming began at the age of seven at Riverside Brookfield swim club. Kirby finished his age group swimming career at WEST Swim Club. Under Dave Krotiak, he was state qualifier in seven events and a finalist in three. Kirby swam high school swimming as a Fenwick Friar and Riverside Brookfield Bulldog.
Kirby was previously a lead coach at Academy Bullets Swim Club where he coached several swimmers to their first Regional, State, and NCSA cuts.
Kirby was a graduate of Elmhurst College with a degree in history, but his heart and passion remains in the pool. He is proud and excited to be a member of the WEST Swim Club family.
Coach Kirby is previous member of WEST Swim Club and has come full circle as he enters his first year as an assistant coach for the club. Kirby assists with the 9-10, 11-12, Senior and National practice groups. He has over 13 years of coaching experience at the age group, high school, and summer club levels. Kirby enjoys bringing a positive, enthusiastic, and energy-filled style to the team.
Kirby’s experience with age group swimming began at the age of seven at Riverside Brookfield swim club. Kirby finished his age group swimming career at WEST Swim Club. Under Dave Krotiak, he was state qualifier in seven events and a finalist in three. Kirby swam high school swimming as a Fenwick Friar and Riverside Brookfield Bulldog.
Kirby was previously a lead coach at Academy Bullets Swim Club where he coached several swimmers to their first Regional, State, and NCSA cuts.
Kirby was a graduate of Elmhurst College with a degree in history, but his heart and passion remains in the pool. He is proud and excited to be a member of the WEST Swim Club family.
Kristen Silvey - Lead Senior Team Coach
Kristen joined the West Coaching staff in the fall of 2016. She grew up in Columbia, Missouri where she began swimming competitively for the Columbia Swim Club at age eight. Kristen continued swimming through high school where she was a State Qualifier, and into college at Lewis University, where she competed for four years. Kristen was a team captain her senior year. Kristen’s best events included 100/200 fly, 100/200 breast, and 200/400 IM.
While at Lewis University, Kristen earned a degree in Computer Graphic Design and Marketing and is pursuing a career in the design field in her time away from West.
Since Kristen has come to West, she has worked with all age groups but most frequently 8&U, 9-10s, and the Senior group. Kristen is also involved in the West Group Lesson program. Kristen grew up by the water and is happy to be able to be back around the pool and share her passion for the sport with swimming’s next generation!
Kristen joined the West Coaching staff in the fall of 2016. She grew up in Columbia, Missouri where she began swimming competitively for the Columbia Swim Club at age eight. Kristen continued swimming through high school where she was a State Qualifier, and into college at Lewis University, where she competed for four years. Kristen was a team captain her senior year. Kristen’s best events included 100/200 fly, 100/200 breast, and 200/400 IM.
While at Lewis University, Kristen earned a degree in Computer Graphic Design and Marketing and is pursuing a career in the design field in her time away from West.
Since Kristen has come to West, she has worked with all age groups but most frequently 8&U, 9-10s, and the Senior group. Kristen is also involved in the West Group Lesson program. Kristen grew up by the water and is happy to be able to be back around the pool and share her passion for the sport with swimming’s next generation!
Barb Grosshans - Assistant Coach - Stroke School, 11&12s
Coach Barb has been with West Swim Club since 2005. Barb has been in and around the pool as a swimmer, instructor, coach, meet director, parent, and volunteer for many years.
She began her competitive swimming career at age 6, following her brothers into the water. She has been an instructor of all ages (age 5 - adult) since her teens. In addition to age group swimming, Barb was a two-time Nebraska High School State Champion in the 100 butterfly. She placed in the top 5 in State in a variety of events all four years of high school. Barb went on as a scholarship athlete to The University of Kansas. Again, placing in the top 5 in her events at the Big Eight Championships, with her team winning the conference title. Barb received a BA degree in Speech Communication from The University of Nebraska.
Barb and her husband have three children that have all been swimmers for WEST Swim Club and Hinsdale Central High School. She enjoys coaching every level of swimmer at any age!
Fun facts:
Barb was also on her high school synchronized swim team!
Barb's best events were 100/200 fly and 200/400 IM, although her favorite is 50 fly and 100 IM!
Barb held the high school 100 butterfly record for 25 years.
As an adult, Barb swam around Manhattan Island in New York in 7 1/2 hours.
Barb currently swims with our WEST Masters early morning group.
Coach Barb has been with West Swim Club since 2005. Barb has been in and around the pool as a swimmer, instructor, coach, meet director, parent, and volunteer for many years.
She began her competitive swimming career at age 6, following her brothers into the water. She has been an instructor of all ages (age 5 - adult) since her teens. In addition to age group swimming, Barb was a two-time Nebraska High School State Champion in the 100 butterfly. She placed in the top 5 in State in a variety of events all four years of high school. Barb went on as a scholarship athlete to The University of Kansas. Again, placing in the top 5 in her events at the Big Eight Championships, with her team winning the conference title. Barb received a BA degree in Speech Communication from The University of Nebraska.
Barb and her husband have three children that have all been swimmers for WEST Swim Club and Hinsdale Central High School. She enjoys coaching every level of swimmer at any age!
Fun facts:
Barb was also on her high school synchronized swim team!
Barb's best events were 100/200 fly and 200/400 IM, although her favorite is 50 fly and 100 IM!
Barb held the high school 100 butterfly record for 25 years.
As an adult, Barb swam around Manhattan Island in New York in 7 1/2 hours.
Barb currently swims with our WEST Masters early morning group.
Jason Holbrook - Assistant Coach, 9&10 and 11&12
Coach Jason has been involved at WEST Swim Club for a significant portion of his life. He started his swimming career here at the age of 7 and swam through high school under Dave Krotiak.
Upon graduation from the University of Dayton, Jason joined WEST as a coach. Outside of coaching, he works full-time as a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in LaGrange Park.
Jason enjoys triathlons and is presently training with the Well-Fit Elite Team in Chicago. He completed his first Ironman last summer and looks forward to training for more races this year.
Coach Jason has been involved at WEST Swim Club for a significant portion of his life. He started his swimming career here at the age of 7 and swam through high school under Dave Krotiak.
Upon graduation from the University of Dayton, Jason joined WEST as a coach. Outside of coaching, he works full-time as a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in LaGrange Park.
Jason enjoys triathlons and is presently training with the Well-Fit Elite Team in Chicago. He completed his first Ironman last summer and looks forward to training for more races this year.
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Amanda Collins - Assistant Coach 8 & Under/ 9 and 10
Swimming has been a part of Amanda’s life since birth, as she was born into a swimming family and grew up at the beach constantly open water swimming in Lake Michigan in her hometown St Joseph, Michigan. (Where her swim teams were lucky enough to have beach practices weekly in the Summer!) She began swimming competitively at age 5 and continued from age group to college swimming. Amanda was a 3 year high school state team qualifier, 3 years named to the All-Conference Team, and 2 years named to the All-State Team. Upon completing both undergraduate and graduate programs at University of Illinois, Amanda worked as a Human Resources Generalist for UBS Global Asset Management. She eventually left the corporate environment to be a stay at home parent. Amanda has a variety of coaching experience with country club teams, YMCA adult, child, and infant swim classes, and private lessons. In addition, outside the pool Amanda has been teaching preschool classes at the Western Springs Recreation Department for the past five years. Amanda resides in Western Springs with her husband Mike, and their two children Quinn and Maeve, who are current West Swim Club swimmers. |
Kirsten Fredrickson - Assistant Coach 8 & Under
Coach Kirsten began coaching at WEST Swim Club in the fall of 2012.
She has enjoyed working with the 8 and under group and watching the swimmers improve and grow to love swimming. Some of her favorite moments coaching are watching the 8 and under cheering each other on at meets.
Kirsten grew up swimming on WEST Swim Club with her younger brother and sister. She also swam for four years at Hinsdale Central and one year at Illinois Wesleyan University.
Kirsten graduated from Illinois Wesleyan with a degree Elementary Education and Spanish. When she’s not coaching, Kirsten works at Northern Trust and enjoys spending her free time with her friends and family.
Coach Kirsten began coaching at WEST Swim Club in the fall of 2012.
She has enjoyed working with the 8 and under group and watching the swimmers improve and grow to love swimming. Some of her favorite moments coaching are watching the 8 and under cheering each other on at meets.
Kirsten grew up swimming on WEST Swim Club with her younger brother and sister. She also swam for four years at Hinsdale Central and one year at Illinois Wesleyan University.
Kirsten graduated from Illinois Wesleyan with a degree Elementary Education and Spanish. When she’s not coaching, Kirsten works at Northern Trust and enjoys spending her free time with her friends and family.
Sarah Coady - Masters Coach
Coach Sarah began coaching at WEST in the winter of 2016. We are happy to have Sarah return here to her home club where she began swimming at age 5.
Sarah graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and competed for the varsity Women’s Swimming and Diving team. Sarah spent three years in South Bend, Indiana and coached both Irish Masters at the University of Notre Dame and the local YMCA age group team while working full time as an Engineer for Honeywell Aerospace. She is currently a Design Engineer for Exelon Corporation at the Dresden Nuclear Power Plant in Morris, IL. She is also enrolled in graduate school classes working towards earning her MBA from Ball State University. Sarah is a certified Level 1 and Level 2 masters coach from U.S. Masters Swimming.
Sarah completed the 2015 Steelhead Half Ironman and the 2016 Chicago Marathon. She placed 6th out of all women in the 2017 Big Shoulders 5K Open Water Swim. She also continues to compete in Masters Swimming and was crowned the Illinois State Champion in both the 50 and 200-yard breaststroke in 2016 and 2017.
Sarah resides in Westmont, IL with her dog Pepper.
Coach Sarah began coaching at WEST in the winter of 2016. We are happy to have Sarah return here to her home club where she began swimming at age 5.
Sarah graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and competed for the varsity Women’s Swimming and Diving team. Sarah spent three years in South Bend, Indiana and coached both Irish Masters at the University of Notre Dame and the local YMCA age group team while working full time as an Engineer for Honeywell Aerospace. She is currently a Design Engineer for Exelon Corporation at the Dresden Nuclear Power Plant in Morris, IL. She is also enrolled in graduate school classes working towards earning her MBA from Ball State University. Sarah is a certified Level 1 and Level 2 masters coach from U.S. Masters Swimming.
Sarah completed the 2015 Steelhead Half Ironman and the 2016 Chicago Marathon. She placed 6th out of all women in the 2017 Big Shoulders 5K Open Water Swim. She also continues to compete in Masters Swimming and was crowned the Illinois State Champion in both the 50 and 200-yard breaststroke in 2016 and 2017.
Sarah resides in Westmont, IL with her dog Pepper.
Kristen Kaplan - Assistant Coach, 8 & Under
Coach Kristen is excited to be back on the pool deck coaching at WEST. She swam at WEST Swim Club while Dave Krotiak was the coach.
She attended Downers Grove South High School and competed on the varsity team all four years. Kristen attended the University of Iowa and was a member of the women's swim team. She studied elementary education and continued her education at National Louis University to earn a Master's degree.
Kristen had coached at WEST Swim Club under Dave Krotiak, and was the head coach at Downers Grove Swim and Racquet club for 3 years.
She loves being back on the pool deck coaching the young swimmers. Kristen also has two children swimming on the WEST team.
Coach Kristen is excited to be back on the pool deck coaching at WEST. She swam at WEST Swim Club while Dave Krotiak was the coach.
She attended Downers Grove South High School and competed on the varsity team all four years. Kristen attended the University of Iowa and was a member of the women's swim team. She studied elementary education and continued her education at National Louis University to earn a Master's degree.
Kristen had coached at WEST Swim Club under Dave Krotiak, and was the head coach at Downers Grove Swim and Racquet club for 3 years.
She loves being back on the pool deck coaching the young swimmers. Kristen also has two children swimming on the WEST team.
Christy Vitek - Head Pre Team Coach, Stroke School, 8 & Unders
Coach Christy has been with WEST Swim Club since 2009.
Christy was an All-American swimmer in High School and began coaching swimming at the age of 16. She has coached High School, summer teams, winter clubs, college swim camps, and everything else in-between.
She has been a Head Coach, an Assistant Coach, and even a YMCA swim instructor, and has worked with every ability of swimmers imaginable.
She is a proud mom to 4, three swimmers and one diver! When not coaching, she is a Pre-K teacher at her local Western Spring's Church.
Coach Christy has been with WEST Swim Club since 2009.
Christy was an All-American swimmer in High School and began coaching swimming at the age of 16. She has coached High School, summer teams, winter clubs, college swim camps, and everything else in-between.
She has been a Head Coach, an Assistant Coach, and even a YMCA swim instructor, and has worked with every ability of swimmers imaginable.
She is a proud mom to 4, three swimmers and one diver! When not coaching, she is a Pre-K teacher at her local Western Spring's Church.
Judy Coady -Assistant Coach/manager - 8 & Under
Coach Judy has been involved with WEST Swim Club for nineteen years, longer than any other family currently on the team. She is taking a little break from her on deck coaching duties while she settles into her new home but continues to support the coaching staff by handling team apparel. Judy graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Foods in Business.
After a ten year career at Wendy’s International and Johnson and Johnson in Human Resources, she “retired” to raise her two daughters, Sarah and Jen, who began swimming at Westmont in 1996. Sarah swam at Illinois, graduated in Mechanical Engineering and currently works in South Bend, IN for Honeywell and coaches at a local swim club. Jen is a junior at Illinois in Accountancy and also swims for the Fighting Illini.
In her years here, she has watched thousands of hours of practice, attended hundreds of meets and cleaned the “blue room” too many times to mention. Judy served as the Club President several times in the past and has been a Stroke and Turn and Administrative Judge for Illinois Swimming. She has seen and been through it all in the swimming world and wouldn’t trade her experiences for anything!
Judy also enjoys riding her pink bike, cooking, gardening and the Chicago Blackhawks. She resides in Clarendon Hills.
Coach Judy has been involved with WEST Swim Club for nineteen years, longer than any other family currently on the team. She is taking a little break from her on deck coaching duties while she settles into her new home but continues to support the coaching staff by handling team apparel. Judy graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Foods in Business.
After a ten year career at Wendy’s International and Johnson and Johnson in Human Resources, she “retired” to raise her two daughters, Sarah and Jen, who began swimming at Westmont in 1996. Sarah swam at Illinois, graduated in Mechanical Engineering and currently works in South Bend, IN for Honeywell and coaches at a local swim club. Jen is a junior at Illinois in Accountancy and also swims for the Fighting Illini.
In her years here, she has watched thousands of hours of practice, attended hundreds of meets and cleaned the “blue room” too many times to mention. Judy served as the Club President several times in the past and has been a Stroke and Turn and Administrative Judge for Illinois Swimming. She has seen and been through it all in the swimming world and wouldn’t trade her experiences for anything!
Judy also enjoys riding her pink bike, cooking, gardening and the Chicago Blackhawks. She resides in Clarendon Hills.
Jennifer Conroyd - Founder and Owner of Fluid Running
Jennifer created Fluid Running to give people a way to workout and RUN without any impact. Jennifer teaches group classes and instructs one-on-one and semi-private sessions. Jennifer works with all ages and abilities from elite athletes to people looking to lose weight. Jennifer, a graduate of Miami University in Ohio, is a certified water running instructor, USA Track and Field coach, Nutrition Specialist and Life Coach. Jennifer is an athlete herself having run 18 marathons, including the Boston Marathon and is an Ironman finisher.
Jennifer created Fluid Running to give people a way to workout and RUN without any impact. Jennifer teaches group classes and instructs one-on-one and semi-private sessions. Jennifer works with all ages and abilities from elite athletes to people looking to lose weight. Jennifer, a graduate of Miami University in Ohio, is a certified water running instructor, USA Track and Field coach, Nutrition Specialist and Life Coach. Jennifer is an athlete herself having run 18 marathons, including the Boston Marathon and is an Ironman finisher.
Strength & Body Coach Lee Kobilca,
Lee has continued to maintain a high level of fitness well into his forties. He has been able to achieve this while holding a high stress career as a broker/trader and being a family man. He has used fitness to overcome many obstacles in his life, such as stress, asthma, a major accident, sports injuries and a debilitating back(diagnosed as needing surgery).
He believes in building a sustainable healthy lifestyle, balance, legacy, efficiency and high performance. Lee is an avid mountain biker, skier, foodie, swimmer, yogi, weightlifter and extreme motor sports hobbyist.
Lee is a graduate of Michigan State University, holds a National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer certification and a Precision Nutrition certification. He has a life long learning mentality. He continually researches fitness, health and movement.
Lee has continued to maintain a high level of fitness well into his forties. He has been able to achieve this while holding a high stress career as a broker/trader and being a family man. He has used fitness to overcome many obstacles in his life, such as stress, asthma, a major accident, sports injuries and a debilitating back(diagnosed as needing surgery).
He believes in building a sustainable healthy lifestyle, balance, legacy, efficiency and high performance. Lee is an avid mountain biker, skier, foodie, swimmer, yogi, weightlifter and extreme motor sports hobbyist.
Lee is a graduate of Michigan State University, holds a National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer certification and a Precision Nutrition certification. He has a life long learning mentality. He continually researches fitness, health and movement.
