Book Lessons with Coach Teddy

Teddy is a graduate student-athlete at New York University and a 2026 NCAA Division III National Champion in the 200 backstroke and runner up in the 100 backstroke. A Charlottesville, Virginia native, Teddy competed at the Division I level for Loyola Maryland and the University of Virginia before capping his collegiate career at NYU with one of the fastest 200 backstroke times in Division III history (1:42.27 — 2nd all-time).

Before college, Teddy swam club for Cavalier Aquatics, where he earned NISCA All-American and USA Scholastic All-American honors, qualified for Winter and Summer Nationals, won back-to-back VHSL Class 5 state championships, and claimed a YMCA National Championship.

Off the pool deck, Teddy has spent 8 years coaching swimmers of all ages and abilities, from young children learning water safety to competitive athletes chasing best times. He has coached 250+ swimmers ages 4–18, served on the coaching staff for the University of Virginia Swim Camps, worked as a private instructor for competitive athletes, and helped revitalize a YMCA adaptive aquatics program for children with disabilities.

Teddy's coaching philosophy centers on the individual adapting his approach, communication, and drill work to meet each swimmer where they are. He believes the best coaches build the person first and the athlete second, a lesson instilled in him by the coaches who shaped his own career.

Whether you're looking to shave time off your best event, build a stronger foundation in the water, or take your training out of the pool, I can help.

On the technique side, I break down stroke mechanics, turns, underwaters, and starts using simple drills that create improvement.

For dryland and lifting, I can build programs designed specifically for swimmers, focusing on mobility, strength, and power that translates directly to the pool, without feeling exhausted for the in water sessions.

For competitive athletes, I can also help with race strategy, event selection, and understanding how to peak at the right time. And for high schoolers with collegiate aspirations, I can offer firsthand recruiting guidance, having navigated the process myself at the Division I and Division III levels, I know what coaches look for and how to position yourself to get noticed.

Every session, 30, 45, or 60 minutes, is built entirely around what you need. Training can range from in-water stroke technique and drill work to dryland programming and lifting, depending on your goals. No two athletes are the same, and no two sessions have to be either.

Coaching

- 8 years of coaching experience across summer swimming, private instruction, and adaptive aquatics

- Coached 250+ swimmers ages 4–18 in water safety and competitive skills

- Helped revitalize a YMCA adaptive swimming program for children with disabilities

College

- Competed at Division I level for Loyola Maryland

- Competed at teh Division I level for The University of Virginia

- Graduate student-athlete at NYU (Division III)

- 2026 NCAA Division III National Champion — 200 backstroke (1:42.27, 2nd all-time in DIII history)

- 2nd place — 100 backstroke (46.55) at 2026 NCAA DIII Championships

- 9th place — 50 freestyle at 2026 NCAA DIII Championships

- CSCAA Second Team Scholar All-American

- 2x ACC Academic Honor Roll

Club & High School

- Cavalier Aquatics club swimmer

- 2022 NISCA All-American

- 2021-2022USA Scholastic All-American

- Winter & Summer National Qualifier

- 2x VHSL Class 5 State Champion

- YMCA National Champion

Personal Bests

- 200 Back — 1:42.27

- 100 Back — 46.55

- 200 IM — 1:47.00

- 100 Fly — 47.52

- 50 Free — 19.75

The best coaches I've had are multiple including Jake Shrum, Todd Desorbo, Conor Hassard, and Gary Taylor. Each left a lasting mark on me both in and out of the water. They were deeply knowledgeable about the sport, but what set them apart was their ability to help me understand myself as an athlete. Through rigorous training, they didn't just improve my stroke but they taught me new methods across all five strokes including underwaters. I carry these methods into my own coaching today.

Most importantly, each of them made it their mission to push me to be the best person first and the best athlete second. They showed up every day with the same energy and commitment to my goals regardless of where I was in my development, and that consistency is something I strive to replicate with every swimmer I work with.

I am an extremely dedicated person, who loves the sport, and just want to see people improve. The best part of coaching is watching swimmers grow more confident in the water and eventually do things they never thought they could ever do. I am extremely flexible and supportive throughout each session and will do whatever it takes to help the swimmer become faster!