Matthew Mikulec is from Orchard Park, NY right outside of Buffalo. Matthew proudly attended the University of Tennessee graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism and Electronic media. He started swimming at the age of six in Orchard Park. He represented the Orchard Park Boys Varsity Swim Team for five years. In that time frame the Orchard Park never lost a regular season meet and Matthew reached the NY State swim meet with his teammates multiple times. While attending the University of Tennessee Matthew joined and eventually became president of the Vols swim club for many years. His favorite stroke has always been Breastroke and he is a team player cheering for his teammates/athletes to have success.
“I’m excited to help individuals succeed in a sport they're passionate about and join the coaching staff at West Valley/ Bearden. ” - Matthew Mikulec
Like many swimmers, Carolyn grew up swimming for her neighborhood summer team. She also swam for her high school team and her local club teams. Throughout these experiences, she developed a lifelong love of the sport.
In May 2024, Carolyn graduated from Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a minor in graphic design. While at Wheaton, she swam on the varsity swim team for all four years. She was voted the most improved swimmer in her sophomore season and swam all conference in her junior and seniors seasons. Carolyn was a conference champion on several relays, and placed second in the 100 fly and third in 50 free. She holds the 11th fastest 100 fly time and the 4th fastest 50 fly split in the program's history.
Carolyn has coached swimming of the past six summers, most recently for the Gettysvue swim teams. What she has loved most about coaching is helping swimmers find the joy in swimming. She is looking forward to coaching this season at Bearden High School.
Grace has a passion for working individually with swimmers to get them past any obstacles they face in their development. She has been coaching competitive swimming for 3 years now, and she is so excited to continue her career here at WVMS. Grace has been swimming her whole life as a year-round swimmer for Nova of Virginia Aquatics from age 6 – 15. She also swam on her highschool's varsity team for 4 years, but she knew her passion was really coaching. She spent most of her free time during her senior year of high school teaching swim lessons and coaching swim teams at Aquatots, where she became a supervising instructor. She loved teaching lessons, but felt she was missing that competitive edge that swimming had. Grace became a head summer league coach for two years leading her swimmers, this past year, to an undefeated season! Grace can't wait to be a part of the team at West Valley this year, and hopefully help the team secure a few wins! She is a senior at the University of Tennessee, studying Supply Chain Management and Integrated Business and Engineering. She is also a member of the UT Ambassadors, so if you're ever in need of a UT tour let her know!
