Coaches
Eric Bateman is returning for his 13th season as the Head Coach of the Willowsford Waves Swim Team, having led the team since its inaugural season in 2014.
Winter career: Eric is currently in his 22nd year in education and his 21st year at Briar Woods High School, where he teaches United States History and United States Government.
Coaching Experience: Eric began his coaching career at Silton Swim School in New Jersey in 1992. Since that time, he has coached numerous teams from summer program, club teams, high school teams, and is currently the head coach/owner of Bateman Aquatics.
Swimming experience: My first swim class was in 1981 at Silton Swim School, NJ. From there, I swam competitively throughout my life in clubs in Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; New Jersey, and collegiately at Franklin and Marshall and Penn State University.
Favorite stroke: I was always a freestyle sprinter as a swimmer. As a coach, I love to teach butterfly.
What do you like best about the Waves: The sense of community is like nothing I have experienced in my coaching career. The support of wonderful families has been incredible!
What is your favorite hobby: I love to travel. I also love anything involving water – beach, pool, shower…. love it all (I do think I’m part fish).
Favorite junk food: Soft serve ice cream - from NJ.
Current School and Year: Freshman at University of Virginia
When and where did you start swimming: I started swimming when I was 5 years old as a mini Brambleton Beta.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: Since the first year in 2014.
What is your favorite stroke: Breaststroke and Freestyle
What do you like best about the Waves: I liked growing up and swimming alongside my neighbors. I have created lasting friendships with the people I swam with and now coach with.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I love seeing the swimmers grow up and improve in their swimming each year I coach.
What is your favorite hobby: My favorite hobby is cooking.
Favorite junk food: Oreos.
Current School and Year: Freshman at Clemson University
When and where did you start swimming: I started swimming at 7 years old for the Broadlands Piranhas.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: I joined the Waves in 2017.
What is your favorite stroke: Freestyle
What do you like best about the Waves: My favorite thing about the Waves is the enthusiastic team spirit.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I love watching swimmers improve in the water and making sure to keep practices and meets a fun environment.
What is your favorite hobby: Weightlifting.
Favorite junk food: M&Ms.
Current School and Year: Junior at Independence High School
When and where did you start swimming: I started swimming when I was 6 for the Willowsford Waves.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: I been with Waves since year one in 2014.
What is your favorite stroke: Freestyle
What do you like best about the Waves: I love the community, all the swimmers make being a part of the team, the enjoyment and fun!
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I like being able to help people enjoy swimming while getting better at it. Seeing kids work hard and get good at swimming while having fun is so rewarding!
What is your favorite hobby: I like to read and paint.
Favorite junk food: Reece’s cups.
Current School and Year: Junior at Foxcroft School
When and where did you start swimming: I started swimming when I was 5 for the Ashburn Blue Waves.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: I joined the Waves the first year in 2014.
What is your favorite stroke: Freestyle
What do you like best about the Waves: I love being able to spend the summer swimming with my friends.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I like being able to work with kids and give them the same experience I got when I was younger.
What is your favorite hobby: My favorite hobby is hanging out with my friends.
Favorite junk food: Popcorn.
Current School and Year: Sophomore at Independence High School
When and where did you start swimming: I first started swimming with the Waves in 2017.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: I joined the Waves in 2017.
What is your favorite stroke: Backstroke
What do you like best about the Waves: I like the team environment and all the swimmers that always support each other in their races.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): Seeing all the kids improve their stroke and enjoy swimming.
What is your favorite hobby: Playing the guitar.
Favorite junk food: Twix.
Current School and Year: Sophomore at Independence High School
When and where did you start swimming: I started swimming when I was 7 for the Waves.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: Since I was 7 years old.
What is your favorite stroke: Freestyle
What do you like best about the Waves: I love the Waves community!
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): What I like best about coaching is seeing the kids improve throughout the season.
What is your favorite hobby: Baking.
Favorite junk food: Ice cream.
Current School and Year: Junior at Independence High School
When and where did you start swimming: I started swimming when I was 6 at SwimKids and I have loved it ever since.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: I joined the Waves in 2020.
What is your favorite stroke: Breaststroke
What do you like best about the Waves: I love the encouraging atmosphere.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I enjoy getting to watch swimmers improve over the course of the summer.
What is your favorite hobby: I love to workout.
Favorite junk food: Kit Kats.
Current School and Year: Sophmore at Indepedence High School
When and where did you start swimming: 3rd grade in China
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: Joined in 2023.
What is your favorite stroke: Breaststroke
What do you like best about the Waves: I enjoy the energy and friendships on deck.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I looking forward to helping swimmers get faster.
What is your favorite hobby: Swimming.
Favorite junk food: Ice cream.
Current School and Year: Sophmore at Indepedence High School
When and where did you start swimming: 2014 for the Waves as a Mini Wave
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: 2014
What is your favorite stroke: Breaststroke
What do you like best about the Waves: The team's atmosphere and the way it brings everyone together.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I look forward to teaching new swimmers the sport and inspiring them to continue with it outside of summer swim.
What is your favorite hobby: I love playing ice hockey.
Favorite junk food: Pepperoni pizza.
Current School and Year: Sophmore at Paul VI High School
When and where did you start swimming: I first started swimming at Tom Dolan when I was 4. Then, I swam for NCAP when I was a little older.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: I joined when I was 6 years old in 2016.
What is your favorite stroke: Butterfly
What do you like best about the Waves: I love the community of the Waves team. It is so fun to be a part of, and all the team bonding events make it even more special.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): This is my first time coaching and I look forward to supporting the team and helping everyone improve and get better.
What is your favorite hobby: My favorite hobby's are swim and dance. I love to swim, of course, and I do competitive dance too!
Favorite junk food: Chocolate covered pretzels.
Current School and Year: Freshman at Indepedence High School
When and where did you start swimming: I first started swimming in 2015 with the Waves when I was 4 years old.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: 2015 as a Mini Wave.
What is your favorite stroke: Breaststroke
What do you like best about the Waves: What I love best about the Waves is our community. Everyone supports each other and celebrates each other's achievements. The friends you make become like a second family.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I look forward to getting to know everyone and am excited for a great season!
What is your favorite hobby: Reading. I love immersing myself in a great book.
Favorite junk food: Frosted sugar cookies.
Occupation: I work for Cisco
When and where did you start swimming: Age 4
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: Waves parent since 2018!
What is your favorite stroke: Freestyle
What do you like best about the Waves: The team!!!
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): Watching athletes develop their skills, friendships form, and the team bonding.
What is your favorite hobby: Watching my kids' sports.
Favorite junk food: Fried pickles.
Current School and Year: LCPS Instructional Coach
When and where did you start swimming:
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: My kids joined the team in 2021.
What is your favorite stroke: Freestyle
What do you like best about the Waves: The friendships!
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I'm looking forward to helping the team during meets!
What is your favorite hobby: Reading
Favorite junk food: Any type of candy.
Current School and Year: 8th grade at Virginia Academy
When and where did you start swimming: Propel as an infant.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: I joined the Waves when I was 9 years old.
What is your favorite stroke: Backstroke
What do you like best about the Waves: The family feel.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I look forward to being able to share the joy of coaching and helping swimmers find the love for the sport.
What is your favorite hobby: Volleyball
Favorite junk food: Ice cream
Current School and Year: 8th grade at Brambleton Middle School
When and where did you start swimming: Summer of 2018 with the Waves.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: 2018
What is your favorite stroke: Breaststroke
What do you like best about the Waves: The atmosphere and the friendships I've made over the years.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I look forward to working with the younger kids and helping them become great swimmers.
What is your favorite hobby: Reading
Favorite junk food: Pizza
Current School and Year: 8th grade at Brambleton Middle School
When and where did you start swimming: I started swimming when I was 2 years old at Tom Dolan, and NCAP when I was 8.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: I joined the Waves in 2017 as a 5-year-old Mini Wave.
What is your favorite stroke: Backstroke
What do you like best about the Waves: My favorite thing about the Waves is how I was able to make so many friendships over the years.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I look forward to helping the younger kids get better at swimming!
What is your favorite hobby: Besides swimming, I also do competitive cheer.
Favorite junk food: Goldfish.
Current School and Year: 8th grade at Brambleton Middle School
When and where did you start swimming: I started competitive swimming in 2019.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: I joined the team in 2018 when I was 6.
What is your favorite stroke: Backstroke
What do you like best about the Waves: I love the fun events and out of pool fun.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I am looking forward to helping new swimmers find love for our team.
What is your favorite hobby: Swimming and running.
Favorite junk food: Pizza
Current School and Year: 8th grade at Brambleton Middle School
When and where did you start swimming: 2018 for a local neighbor's team.
How long have you been with the Willowsford Waves: 2020
What is your favorite stroke: Freestyle
What do you like best about the Waves: I love the team spirit! Everyone always cheers for each other and is so positive.
What do you like most about coaching (or look forward to the most): I look forward to all the meets and seeing everyone doing well.
What is your favorite hobby: Reading
Favorite junk food: Takis
