Our Coaches

Bearcat Masters coaches bring us years of competitive swimming and coaching experience.  They have swum and coached at the age group, collegiate, and masters levels.  They have experience with swimmers of all ages and levels, and work together with swimmers to reach team and individual goals.

Joel Abreu    
Joel began his swimming career at Bushwick High School in Brooklyn, NY.  He worked as a beach lifeguard for seven seasons at Coney Island and swam USS with the NYC Marlins from 1996-1999. Joel holds a CUNY record as part of the Baruch College 200yd freestyle relay.  Joel has experience coaching several masters and high school swim teams in New York City.  In addition to coaching Bearcat Masters, he is currently the head coach for Friends Seminary.  Joel holds a bachelors degree in economics with a minor in psychology from Baruch College (CUNY), and works a real estate broker for a residential property management firm.
Shawn Ambrose
Shawn swam for Xavier High School in New York, NY and still holds the school record in the 100yd breaststroke.  He swam USS for Asphalt Green from 1994-1995 and NYC Marlins from 1995-1998.  Shawn graduated from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY where he swam for four years and broke eight school records throughout his career.  Shawn is a current USMS National Record Holder.  He works for a property management company in the city.