Coaches
Coach Olivia Zhang has been leading Scottsdale Synchro (SAZ) to new heights since she took the helm as Head Coach in July 2016. Under her expert guidance, the team has achieved numerous accomplishments:
• Coached 8 SAZ swimmers who competed against top-ranking teams from North and South America.
• Received the National Coach of the Year award in 2025.
• Led the team to win 3 Gold and 1 Silver medals at the 2024 Pan American Championship in Lima, Peru, and secured the Senior category's overall high point.
• Achieved 2 Gold and 2 Bronze medals at the 2021 Pan American Championship in Aruba.
• Garnered 5 Gold, 1 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals at the 2021 US Nationals, as well as 5 Gold, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze medals in 2022, 1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals in 2023, and 4 Gold medals in 2024.
Her exceptional coaching skills have led to her selection for prestigious positions:
• Assistant Coach for the 2022 Youth National Team, which competed against 20 countries and won 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze medals, and Overall High Points.
• Coach of the 2018 Olympic Development Camp in Mallorca, Spain.
• Two-time recipient of the USA Artistic Swimming Coach of the Year at the US National Championships.
• Coach of the 2022 US All Star Camp.
Mar started synchro at 6 years old with Arizona Desert Gems. She joined Arizona Aqua Stars in high school and medaled in state through international meets in all events (solo, duet, trio, team, and combo). She did synchro in college briefly at ASU and taught private lessons at a gym in California. Mar returned to coach ADG and AAS swimmers 12U, Youth, and Jr/Sr as well as swim herself with the SwimDevils and Masters synchro. Over her 28 year career she has achieved Grand Master, Coaches and Athletes Representative, and advocates for lifelong enjoyment of the sport. She currently coaches all age groups with Scottsdale Synchro in addition to Assistant Managing with the City of Scottsdale.
Katie has coached with Scottsdale Synchro since 2010. She swam with recreational, club, and collegiate teams prior to her coaching career. Katie is an Arizona native with her husband and two young boys.
Hi! I’m Sophie, an 11th grader who’s been a part of Scottsdale Synchro since 2016. I’m on the Junior/Senior age group team, and I’ve been coaching the 12 & Under Duet for two years. Sometimes, I also help out with the 12 & Under team.
One thing I love about coaching is creating routines. I’m so proud that the duet I coached placed 2nd at Nationals with a routine I choreographed!
My name is Mona Schwickert. I have been an artistic swimmer for the past 11 years, starting at the age of 4. I am a World Champion and currently a member of the 2025 Junior Nationals Team. I am driven to share my knowledge and experience to future athletes.
Hi! My name is Emma Kaczmarek and I have been swimming for Scottsdale Synchro for the past 10 years. For the past two years I have helped coach both the Novice team and the 12 and Under Intermediate Duet. I have so much fun helping new swimmers find their love for the sport and teaching them skills I have learned over my years as an athlete. As well as coaching, I also swim and compete on the Junior/Senior Age Group Team!
Clover joined Scottsdale Synchro in 2019 and has been an active member ever since. She began her coaching journey at the age of 10, helping with the summer mermaid camps. Her talent and dedication led her to coach the novice team in 2024.
Currently, Clover is a member of the Youth team and has had the opportunity to travel internationally with her team. Her commitment to artistic swimming has made her an important part of the Scottsdale Synchro community as both an athlete and a coach.
