Donaldson Run Thunderbolts

This summer marks Coach Phil’s 12th year as Head Coach at Donaldson Run. He also has been the Head Coach for McLean High School Swim & Dive team for three seasons and the Dorothy Hamm Middle School Swim team since the school opened it's doors. He also runs The Swim Farm, an Arlington-based developmental program that helps swimmers of all levels build skills, confidence, and a love for the sport.

A Northern Virginia native, Phil started his coaching journey early—beginning as a junior coach when he was 15 for his summer team, the Armfield Farm Stingrays.. He grew up racing in the Colonial League, training with MAKO, and captaining the Chantilly High School Swim & Dive team. With over two decades of coaching experience, he has worked extensively in summer league, high school, middle school, club, and developmental swimming. From 2006-2012, he led the Stingrays to multiple Division Championships and has led the Thunderbolts to multiple division championships as well during his time here. He has also coached club swimmers, directed various developmental programs, and held high school coaching roles at Chantilly, Oakton, and Robinson Secondary, where he helped the Rams win two state titles.

Phil is deeply committed to every swimmer on his teams—not just the fastest ones. He believes that a team’s strength isn’t measured only by top performances, but by the dedication of every swimmer who shows up, puts in the work, and pushes themselves to improve. His coaching philosophy centers on effort, resilience, and helping swimmers discover what they’re capable of, regardless of where they start.

Beyond competition, Phil is a firm believer in the bigger impact of summer swimming. He knows that while improving technique and racing fast are important, the friendships, social events, team traditions, and lifelong memories are just as valuable. He has seen firsthand how the experiences built through summer swim shape kids into confident, resilient young adults who carry those lessons into the rest of their lives.

In addition to his coaching career, Phil spent 13 years as an 8th-grade teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools, an experience that reinforced his belief in the power of building relationships with athletes and their families. He knows that when swimmers feel supported and connected, they train harder, compete better, and have a more meaningful experience. His fierce loyalty to his swimmers, coaches, and teams is something he takes great pride in, and he works tirelessly to make every program he’s part of stronger.

Phil is also passionate about developing future leaders. He actively mentors teenagers, providing them with leadership opportunities that help them grow both in and out of the pool. Whether it’s guiding team captains, mentoring young coaches, or encouraging athletes to take on more responsibility, he believes in preparing the next generation to step up with confidence and purpose.

Drawing on his background as a Marine, teacher, and coach, Phil blends structure and discipline with a personal investment in every swimmer’s journey. He isn’t just focused on the top performers—he’s dedicated to ensuring that every swimmer has a reason to show up, work hard, and walk away feeling like they belong.

Coach Sam is a dedicated and passionate swim coach with extensive experience working with swimmers of all ages. Growing up in Arlington, VA, Samantha developed a strong foundation in competitive swimming. She served as a captain of the Yorktown Swim Team, was a graduate of HB Woodlawn, and swam for the Ft. Myer Swim Team during the summer.

After assisting with coaching at FMST during her college years, Samantha became the Graduate Assistant for Aquatics Programming at Virginia Tech, where she played a key role in building and expanding the learn-to-swim program. For the past three summers, she has served as the Head Coach for FMST, helping swimmers reach their goals while creating a fun, positive, and inclusive environment.

Currently, Samantha is the Assistant Coach for the WL High School Varsity Swim Team, the Assistant Coach for Dorothy Hamm Swim Team, a Lead Coach for Swim Farm, and a high school history teacher at WL.

As a coach, Coach Sam prioritizes technique, race strategy, and individualized coaching, believing that every swimmer has unique strengths that can be developed with a personalized approach. As a Lead Coach at Swim Farm, Coach Sam runs Sunday morning practices with a focus on open, direct communication with parents, high school coaches, and swimmers. In addition to working with individual swimmers, she is committed to supporting the development of the high school coaching staff. She helps identify areas for stroke improvement, guides coaches in delivering effective feedback, and assists in selecting drills that enhance swimmer technique. By collaborating closely with both swimmers and coaches, she fosters a positive, development-focused environment where athletes are empowered to reach their full potential. Passionate about helping swimmers of all ages and abilities achieve their goals, she finds nothing more rewarding than celebrating their accomplishments together.

Coach Sam is deeply committed to fostering a positive and welcoming team culture, where each swimmer is valued and encouraged to succeed. She leads with positivity and strives to help swimmers discover their love for the sport while growing both in and out of the water.