Eight Coaches Named to U.S. Paralympics Swimming Staff for Paralympic Games Paris 2024

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – U.S. Paralympics Swimming today announced the eight coaches who will serve as on-the-ground support for the 33 American swimmers headed to the Paralympic Games Paris 2024. The robust and experienced coaching staff will also provide support to first-time Games head coach, John Payne, who was hired in May to lead Team USA in Paris.  

“We selected a diverse coaching staff with a wealth of experience that will partner well with the 33 athletes competing in Paris.  We wanted to bring in a coaching staff who know our swimmers well, and who has proven their dedication to Para swimming in the past quad,” Erin Popovich, director, U.S. Paralympics Swimming, said. “These coaches have been outstanding resources for our program in the past three years since Tokyo, and we have no doubt they will help lead our team to a successful Games.” 

The following coaches, in alphabetical order by last name, were selected to the Paris 2024 staff: 

James Barone (Chelsea Piers Swim Team) – In his new/returning role as head coach of the Chelsea Piers Swim Team, Barone oversees training, planning and execution of all practices and meets. He has more than 20 years of experience as a leader in the swimming community and has coached swimmers to premier collegiate swimming programs, Olympic Trials, international competitions, and now the Paralympic Games with U.S. swimer Ali Truwit (Darien, Connecticut).

Ben Colin (University of Northern Iowa; Panther Aquatics Club) – As the primary coach at UNI for distance-oriented swimmers, Colin has coached rising senior Olivia Chambers (Little Rock, Arkansas) to her first Paralympic Games. He also has plenty of experience coaching for U.S. Paralympics Swimming, where he was a member of the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships staff and has obtained a Level 4 Coaching Certification through U.S. Paralympics Swimming. 

Kris Goodrich (Milford Athletic Club; The Sports Club of Novi) – Goodrich brings a wealth of experience to the team’s staff that includes serving as an education consultant for U.S. Paralympics Swimming and the team’s head coach at the 2023 Parapan American Games. She has also coached the team at a world championships in addition to her coaching duties as head coach of the Milford Athletic Club Masters Swim Team and assistant for the Novi Sturgeons.  

Julie Hardt (Carson Tigersharks) – As the head coach and master’s coach of the Carson Tigersharks out of Carson City, Nevada, Hardt specializes in creating team cohesion. She is a Level 3 U.S. Paralympics Swimming Certified Coach who has coached at CITI Para Swimming World Series for Team USA and brings more than 20 years of experience to her first Paralympic Games coaching nod.  

Marty Hendrick (Swim Fort Lauderdale) – Hendrick has coached full-time at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center since 2005. His lengthy list of coaching accomplishments includes winning seven U.S. Masters Swimming National Club Championships and being named the Speedo/U.S. Masters Swimming Coach of the Year. In 2020, he guided Para swimmer Abbas Karimi (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) to his first Paralympic Games as a member of the Refugee Paralympic Team, and has since worked with Karimi to make his second Paralympic appearance, this time as a member of Team USA. 

George Leatherman (U.S. Paralympics Swimming) – Currently the resident team coach for U.S. Paralympics Swimming in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Leatherman oversees annual and seasonal training plans for athletes living and training at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (OPTC). His experience also includes numerous coaching stints for swim teams across Ohio, including serving as aquatics director for the Findlay Family YMCA. 

Patrick McCloskey (Nitro Swimming) – In addition to his duties as a coach of Nitro Swimming in Cedar Park, Texas, McCloskey has spent time working specifically with U.S. Paralympics Swimming resident athletes at the OPTC alongside Leatherman. McCloskey has served as Team USA head coach at the CITI Para Swimming World Series in Australia, and has been on staff for Para swimming world championships and Parapan American Games. 

Dave Modzelewski (YMCA of the North Shore Sharks) – Modzelewski serves as head coach of competitive aquatics for the North Shore Sharks as well as the team’s disability coordinator, where he has guided Paralympic medalist Leanne Smith (Salem, Massachusetts) to her second Paralympic Games. He has also been on staff for numerous Para swimming events, including world championships, Parapan American Games, and was Team USA’s head coach for the CITI Para Swimming World Series in Scotland.  

For media requests and photo inquiries, please contact Kristen Gowdy at Kristen.Gowdy@usopc.org.