Our Coaches . . .

Erik Wiken – Head CoachErik is now entering his 4th year as the head coach with HLA. He came to HLA with an outstanding swimming background, exceptional academic credentials, and a high level of energy and passion for coaching. Erik graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. He then earned his Masters degree in Sports Administration from Ball State University.

Before completing his degree at Minnesota, Erik spent two years here at the University of Nebraska, where he was a Big 12 All-Academic Second Team member, Big 12 championship finalist in the 100 and 200 backstroke, Nebraska's Newcomer of the Year award winner, and Nebraska Swimming Student Athlete of the Year. Erik qualified for the 100 backstroke and was a member of two All-American relays at the NCAA championship in 2000, and qualified for the 2000 Olympic Trials in the 100 backstroke.

Erik started his coaching career in Minnesota with Twin Cities Aquatics. From there he moved back home to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he coached two years for his home club, Southwest Aquatic Team. Since that time, Erik has coached for the collegiate swim teams at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Ball State University. He coached alongside Richard Quick at the 2008 Auburn University Tigers Swim Camp just prior to joining HLA

Since his arrival in 2008, Erik has coached the Junor, Senior, and National Team members primarily. HLA has a Junior NationalFinalist and Youth National Team Member, several Sectional Championship Finalists, Zone Qualifiers and Fnalists, Central Zone Select Camp Participant, Midwestern Swimming D1 Champions and Midwestern Record Breakers throughout Erik's tenure. Erik is also the Midwestern Age Group Chair Person, Team Manager for Midwestern All-Stars and Zones Teams and presides on the Meet Sanctioning Committee for Midwestern Swimming since Fall of 2009.

Brett Ruoff – Assistant Coach Brett joined the Heartland Aquatics staff in the fall of 2007. Brett grew up swimming in College Station, Texas, competing in summer league, high school, and age group swimming. He competed in Texas High School State, Texas Age Group Championships, and junior nationals. After graduating from high school, he trained with a club team and walked on to the Texas A&M Men’s swim team in the spring of 1999. While at Texas A&M, Brett became a scholarship athlete, competed in the NCAA Division I Championships, and senior nationals. He also earned All-Big XII and All-Academic Big XII honors.

After receiving his bachelor's degree from A&M, Brett moved to Lincoln and completed his master's degree in Counseling Psychology. While at UNL, he played for the water polo team, earning all-conference, All-American, and Academic All-American honors. After graduation, Brett moved back to Texas to teach and coach swimming and water polo in his home town. He coached his teams to the district, regional, and state levels. In his last year coaching, he also had a swimmer qualify as a high school All-American.Coach Brett and his wife Tammy, recently moved back to Lincoln, and he is now a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

Katherine Steinberger – Assistant Coach
Katherine joined the club as an assistant coach in April 2007 following several years as an HLA swimmer. Coach Katherine has taught swim lessons at Eastridge Pool since age 13. She has been a lifeguard for 4 years, and is currently the pool’s swim lesson director. She graduated from Lincoln East High School in 2008 where she competed at the State High School Swimming Championships 3 years in a row. She is currently enrolled in classes at Southeast Community College, and plans to transfer to UNL with a goal of becoming an elementary teacher.

Elizabeth Shipman - Assistant Coach
Elizabeth is a our newest coaching addition, joining the club in August of 2009. She brings 10 years of competitive swimming experience to our staff, 8 of those years with HLA. She swam 4 years on the varsity team at Lincoln East High School where she was a member of the Academic All-State Team her senior season, a member of the Academic All-Conference Team all 4 years, a member of the Conference Championship Team for two years, a Scholar Athelete Award winner all 4 years, a member of the National Honor Society, and the Sertoma Award Winner for the women's swim team at Lincoln East in 2009. For the past 3 summers she has been a lifeguard at Eden Public Pool. Elizabeth managed several job titles at Meadowlane Private Pool this past summer. She was a lifeguard, swim lesson instructor, and the Head Coach for the swim team. In her first season as Head Coach her team took 1st place for the middle pool division and 3rd place overall at the City Championships. Coach Liz is currently enrolled at The University of Nebraska - Kearney and will be rejoining the staff for the Summer of 2012.

Avery Meyers Avery joined the club in April of 2011 brining 9 years of competitive swimming experience beginning with CCA which merged with GPAC to form HLA in 2000. She swam 4 years on the Varsity Swim Team for Linoln East High School where she competed 4 years at the Conference Championshps and 4 years at the Nebraska State High School Swimming Championships. Coach Avery will be using her talents primarily assisting with the Thundersharks and Age Group Teams. Avery recently married in August 2010 and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in December of 2010 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She currently works as a Retirement Plan Specialist at Union Bank and Trust.

Kristoff Berzins Kristoff joined HLA in the Fall of 2011. He participated in summer swim league, club swimming with Swim Omaha, high school swimming, and swam for the club team at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln throughout his swim career. Kristoff qualified for the Nebraska State High School CHampionships his junior year and in his senior Kristoff qualified for the State Meet and was a member of the Academic All-State Team. Kristoff began coaching in the summer of 2002 at Brookhill Country Club in Omaha. He successfully coached his team to 3 championships and has had many swimmers go on to successful swim careers at the high school level and beyond. Kristoff still competes when he can, qualifying for the American State Games in Colorado. Kristoff graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and is currently working on a master's degree in Education. He would like to teach high school science and coach a high school swim team in the future. Coach Kristoff will be assisting with the Age Group Team and Coach Erik with the Senior Team.