Alessio has been professionally coaching for almost 30 years; previously he was a competitive swimmer ranked 4th in Italy in the 200 IM and 100-200 Breaststroke. In the past 11 years as the NASA Head Coach, the team has broken 60+ State records, 2 National records and 1 World Junior Record. Under Alessio's tenure, NASA achieved Bronze Level in 2011, 2012 and 2021, Silver level in 2013 2014, 2015, 2016 , 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, finished in the top 5  at  Age Group Champs multiple times and won USA Futures Champ in 2022. Previously, as head coach of his former team (Aurelia Nuoto) in Italy, his swimmers achieved medals at regional, national and international level competitions.  Along with a frequent interaction with other head coaches, Alessio had the opportunity to work with, and learn from, Cesare Butini, his former coach, head coach of the Italian National Swim Team.  With a focus on technique, Alessio can quickly assess a swimmer’s level (beginner to professional athlete) and develop drills sequences to help them advance in any of the competitive strokes.  As a certified Physical Ed. teacher in Illinois & Italy, Alessio integrates the fundamental principles of learning through fun and positive attitude in his teaching philosophy.  Alessio is looking forward to using his knowledge and passion to help swimmers achieve their full potential.

Coach Joey will guide our Age Group program while working with all of our coaches/swimmers to ensure a seamless transition from our Age Group to Senior programming.  

Coach Joey brings a wealth of experience to our program!  Prior to NASA Wildcat Aquatics, he served as the Head Coach of Lyons Aquatics (2018-2023) overseeing their swimming, water polo, diving, masters, and learn-to-swim programs.  At Lyons, he coached athletes of all levels and helped them achieve their goals and many team records.  

Coach Joey’s philosophy is based on three parts: 

1. Structure, Routine, and Continuity from an early age encourage positive growth and development physically and psychologically.
2. Quality always trumps quantity.
3. That coaches set positive examples at and away from the training environment.  

Prior to Lyons Aquatics, Coach Joey served as the Head Coach for Sheridan Swim Team in Quincy, IL from 2017 to 2018 where he helped the team reach a new competitive level as well as developed several Summer Sectional qualifiers, and as the Director of Operations at New Trier Aquatics (2012-2017) where he was primarily in charge of the 12&U group and also helped develop Olympic Trial qualifiers, State Champions, and State record holders.  

Coach Joey graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL where he studied English with an emphasis in creative writing.  He was a varsity member of their Cross Country and Track teams, and Swimming and Diving teams.  Coach Joey is originally from Bloomington, IL where he attended Bloomington High School.  

In his free time, Coach Joey enjoys attending any Chicago sporting event (Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, or Bears), though he is a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan.  He also enjoys cooking, competing in triathlons, and spending time with friends and family - especially his nieces and nephews!  

Jeff began swimming competitively at the age of 5 in Evanston, and proceeded to compete through high school, and has loved the sport since then!

Jeff got his first assistant coaching position with NASA in 2009, and has been hooked on the coaching side since then! He has since coached athletes of all levels, from those learning to swim up to the Collegiate level. Since he started coaching he has been the Head Age Group coach of a program, a Volunteer Assistant Coach for 3 years with Northwestern Swim and Dive, and most recently the Lead Platinum and Jr. Wild coach. 

He also designs and runs media for the team, including Instagram, designing logos and flyers, and even the occasional TikTok!

Coach Rebecca brings more than a decade of experience to our club!  Prior to joining us, she served as the Associate Head Coach for FOX Valley Swim Team in Naperville, IL.  Coach Rebecca's athletes have achieved many accomplishments - while in that role, she worked with all levels of athletes, from 10&Us to National and Olympic Trial qualifiers.  This past season was highlighted with the 2025 10&U State Championship!  

An educator by profession, Coach Rebecca spent more than 10 years in the classroom.  Her goal is to convey meaning and skills in a manner that young athletes can understand and apply.  Coach Rebecca brings high expectations for her athletes, values consistency and communication.  Coach Rebecca hopes to coach, teach, and inspire her athletes to reach their goals on a daily basis!  

While Coach Rebecca was an athlete growing up, she never swam competitively.  She was a varsity athlete throughout high school - playing basketball, volleyball, and running cross country.  In college and beyond, Coach Rebecca was a competitive rock climber.  Her career as a climber came to an end after a nasty fall in the gym - though she misses the mountains of California where she was born and raised.  

Coach Rebecca is married and has two children, both of whom are attending college in California.  She loves to spend time with her family whenever she can.  In her spare time, Coach Rebecca enjoys exploring Chicago, reading historical fiction, and cooking.  Coach Rebecca can often be found walking along the river with her dog, Mabel.  

Max Michael has been swimming competitively with USA swimming since he was 9. First in Baltimore, MD swimming for Mariner Swim Club.  After moving to Jacksonville, FL in 2009 he swam for The Bolles School Bulldogs and Bolles Sharks club team.    Max attended Colgate University where he studied Political Science and Education, swimming as a Colgate Raider.  After swimming he had a short but meaningful career on the Colgate Club Rugby practice squad in the spring of 2019, VK.  Max went on to attend Canisius University, earning a M.S. in Early Childhood Education in 2021.

Chris Kearney started competitive swimming at 11 years old in Deerfield IL. He continued his swimming experience at Loyola Academy, where he is currently a coach for both the girls and boys teams, then onto Miami of Ohio for a short time before returning to Illinois to get right back into the swimming world by coaching. 

From the years 2018-2025 Chris has worked at New Trier Aquatics working with every age group and a variety of skill level ranging from a learn to swim to a JR National level. His last two years there, he focused mainly on the development of the age group program. 

In his free time he enjoys learning as much about all things space as well as reading about ancient history and cultures. He still swims from time to time but mainly gets his cardio from walking his dog.

Annika began swimming in Michigan, starting with lessons and joining a club team at age 8. She joined NASA as a swimmer in 2018 and attended Evanston Twp High School as a varsity swim and water polo player. She continues to be involved in swimming as a member of Northwestern's swim and water polo clubs. She currently studies Environmental Sciences and is a research assistant at NU.

Stuart is a sophomore at Northwestern University and a member of the Men's Swim & Dive team.  He is currently studying Biology with a minor in Business.  Originally from Wisconsin, Stuart has a large family who he loves to do everything with!  He's excited to work with all the excellent swimmers at WILD!  

Diego is from Beaverton OR and began competitive swimming at the age of 5. He swam for Tualatin Hills Swim Club, where he earned a spot on the USA National Junior Team and won the 400 IM at the Summer Junior National Championships. Now a student at Northwestern studying economics, he is a member of Northwestern’s varsity men’s swim team, Diego is a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier (2021, 2024), placed third in the 400 IM at the Big Ten Championships, and qualified for the NCAA Championships as a freshman. He’s thrilled to bring his experience and passion for the sport to WILD as an assistant coach!

Jade has spent her life swimming as she began swimming in her hometown, Lincolnwood. She continued to her swim journey by swimming competitively in Evanston and while attending Nile’s West High School, she swam & played water polo. She stayed in the water through college by joining the Illini Women’s Water Polo Club Team.

Jade recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with her Bachelors in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a con in SLP. She’ll be pursuing her Masters in SLP this fall at Northwestern University.

She has also been coaching at Lincolnwood Lightning and Iguanas Swim Team for over 4 years. Jade is looking forward to challenging her swimmers through hard work and fun!