Meet Our Coaches
Mary Liesegang
Head Coach, Junior Team Coach
Coach Mary has been coaching in San Diego for eight years. She discovered her love for artistic swimming at Boston University, where she competed as a student-athlete for all four years. Her collegiate career culminated in a second-place finish in figures at the 2018 Collegiate National Championships. In 2023, she stepped into the role of Head Coach and has since led the team to top-10 finishes at Junior Olympics. Coach Mary’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that artistic swimming develops not just exceptional athletes, but exceptional humans. She works to cultivate a team environment that is both supportive and challenging, where swimmers grow, build confidence and leadership, learn to be strong teammates, strive for technical excellence, and, most importantly, have fun. Between coaching and her career in marine biology, if Coach Mary isn’t physically in the water, she’s usually thinking about it.
Amy Funder
Age Group Coach
Coach Amy is thrilled to be back poolside after running away with the circus in 2019 (otherwise known as moving to Las Vegas to work for Spiegelworld). Coach Amy first began coaching in 2005 for the Riverside Aquettes. In 2009, Coach Amy started coaching with San Dieguito Synchro, and in 2011 moved to Los Angeles Synchro, eventually becoming head coach before returning to San Dieguito in 2013. Coach Amy has coached athletes of all levels, including at International competitions, and to Junior Olympic Gold (looking at you, Coach Alex). In addition to coaching, she has ten years of experience in judging and is a Level 2 DTC. She competed for the Riverside Aquettes for many years in her youth, and won two national team titles with the club. Coach Amy balances sunny poolside days by working for an event production company all over the world in overly air-conditioned ballrooms, and underground in large arenas.
Megan Tappe
Age Group Coach
Coach Megan has been a competitive artistic swimmer for 10 years on the east coast. She was a member of the 2018 USA National Team competing internationally at the Comen Cup in Spain and UANA Pan American in California, placed first in senior solo at the 2021 US National championship, and has competed and medaled in numerous US National competitions during her time at New Canaan Aquianas. After graduating from UC Berkeley in May 2025, Coach Megan is ecstatic to return to her athletic as a coach. Her favorite part of this sport is the artistic and expressive elements, and how this sport brings young swimmers together to grow into incredible athletes and people.
Bianca Hofstatter
Intermediate/Age Group Coach
Coach Bianca brings a background as a former member of both the Austrian and USA national teams. An Austrian junior national solo champion and silver medalist at the USA junior national championships, she has competed and medaled in numerous international competitions. With over eight years of experience in choreographing routines, Bianca emphasizes artistry as her favorite aspect of the sport. She has trained with national teams from Greece, Spain, and Russia. Now based in the United States, she continues to inspire and develop her athletes, leveraging her diverse experiences from coaching in Austria and Greece.
Reica Osawa
Novice/Age Group Coach
Coach Reica started her synchro career at San Dieguito Synchro when she was 7 years old. She fell in love with the sport after her first try and has continued it since then. Coach Reica competed nationally until her senior year of high school. Despite ending her competitive career, she has stayed in the synchro community by coaching. Her experience includes coaching athletes of all levels as well as teaching kids swim lessons. She took a break from synchro when she was studying at UC Santa Cruz, but is back in San Diego pursuing a career in business, specifically Human Resources.
Sophia Rokop
Novice Coach
Coach Sophia brings over a decade of experience in the water, having competed in synchronized swimming for 12 years and coached for the past 4 years with Davis Aquastarz and Sacramento Synchro. She has worked with athletes at both the novice and intermediate levels and has also taught swim lessons, helping young swimmers build confidence and skill in the pool. Currently a junior at San Diego State University, Sophia is pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sustainability. She’s thrilled to continue sharing her passion for synchro in Southern California!
Ella Clancy
Novice + Pre-Novice Coach
Coach Ella brings over a decade of competitive experience in artistic swimming, having trained starting at age 7 with Scottsdale Synchro and later with San Dieguito Synchro. Over six Junior Olympics appearances, she competed in solo, duet, team, and combo events, consistently ranking in the top 10. She is a US 13-15 Championship finalist, US Junior Nationals finalist, and 2021 Pan American Games medalist. Ella is currently at MiraCosta College studying biology. She's excited to share her knowledge, discipline, and enthusiasm for artistic swimming with her athletes.
Alexandra Suarez
Choreography and Skills Coach
Coach Alex joined San Dieguito Synchro as a swimmer when she was 9. She was a member of the 2015 Youth National Team. In 2016, she moved to the Bay Area to train full time with the US Senior National team to compete at the World Championships in Budapest. During this time she placed third at the US Open in Junior Solo. She continued her synchro career by competing as a student athlete for Stanford University where she was a 3 time Collegiate All American and 2021 Collegiate National Champion. Coach Alex works with our Age Group athletes on skills development and creative choreography.
Lucky Motwani
Technique Coach
Coach Lucky has been involved in artistic swimming almost her entire life. She began swimming at age six with ANA Synchro in Andover, MA, and competed for 11 years, earning multiple national podium finishes. Her highlights include silver medals in Senior Free Team and Senior Combo at the 2019 U.S. Senior National Championships, along with gold in Junior Tech Team and bronze in Senior Combo at the 2019 Synchro America Open. She started coaching at just 13 and has worked with athletes of all levels, from beginners to senior competitors. Lucky continued coaching while studying Public Health at the University of Texas at Austin. Today, she works in health and benefits consulting and remains passionate about artistic swimming, focusing on building confidence, skills, and a positive team environment.
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