COACHING STAFF 

Nick Cavataro, Head Coach

Nick has the head coach of the Dolphins since 1977 and 2006-2007 will be his 29th year at the YWCA.

Under his direction, the team has enjoyed tremendous success including YWCA National Championships in 1982 (West Point), 1984 (Penn State) and 1985 (James Madison U.) and a dozen runner-up finishes, including 2003 and a variety of accomplishments in CT, including numerous state Top 5 placings and High School All Americans; Sectional, Junior and Senior National Qualifiers as well as five Olympic Trial qualifiers.

Cavataro is an energetic organizer who is concerned with the needs of swimmers.  A distance freestyle and butterfly specialist at Iona Prep, Manhattan College and with the Gotham Aquatic Association (USS), Cavataro was a three-time All-Metro Collegiate selection.  In addition to the Dolphins, he is Head Men's and Women's coach and Director of Aquatics at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY.  Cavataro has had extensive experience working with swimmers, ages 5-18, and is also coaches at the Westchester Country Club (Rye, NY) where his summer teams have won six Westchester League titles in 19 seasons.

Cavataro is a member of the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA-Level 4); the College Swim Coaches Association and United States Swimming.  A five time panel speaker at the American and College Swim Coaches Associations' World Clinics, he has also been a two-time coach at USA Swimming Select camps at the USA Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.  He is married to the former Susan Follansbee, an exercise physiologist, personal trainer and accomplished marathon runner and triathlete. The Cavataro's have six children:  Stephanie-age 19, Lauren-17, Matthew-15, Kristi-13, Jamey-8 and Kathryn-6. PHOTO: Coach Nick Cavataro with 2005 National YWCA Champions (L-R) Jamey Waters, Katie Lynch, Spiros Moisiades, John Waters and Doug Vaccari

Maura O'Grady Foster, Head Age Group Coach

A Trumbull resident, 2006-07 will be Maura's 12th year with the team.  Maura directs all Future and TAG 1 sessions and assists with all other levels.  A graduate of SUNY-Purchase, she also attended the University of South Carolina where she swam competitively. Maura is also the head coach of the Covent of the Sacred Heart (HS) in Greenwich Swim Team, where she teaches in the schools science and physical education departments, while serving as an assistant dean of students. Maura also is head coach of the Iona Prep (NY) Swim Team, which trains jointly with the CSH team. Summers find Maura as the Head Coach of the Shenorock Shore Club (Rye, NY). PHOTO: Coach Maura Foster with National team member Megan Tincher

Whitney Welch, Associate Head Age Group Coach

A Greenwich native now residing in Stamford, the 2006-07 season will be Whitney’s eighth with the team.  In addition to working with all team levels as needed, Whitney is a professional firefighter for the Town of Greenwich in addition to a certified EMT and CPR instructor. A physical education major at St. Lawrence University (NY), Whitney swam competitively through college and continues with the YWCA Masters program. Whitney competes in various open water and Masters races throughout the USA and also teaches swimming lessons and is an avid softball player. PHOTO: Coach Whitney Welch with National team members (L-R) Doug Vaccari, Mikael Hietela and Matteo Tunioli

 Scott Witmer, Assistant Age Group Coach

Scott Witmer joined the Dolphins in 2004. Scott primarily works with the Future, TAG 1 and TAG 2 levels; and, has experience with all levels. Prior to joining the Dolphins, Scott coached swimming in Evanston Illinois for three years. Scott was a competitive swimmer growing up and continues to swim today. Scott and his wife Carey are natives of Iowa have 3 children, Kendall (14), Emmett (9) and Hayden (6). They currently reside in Cos Cob.