Our Coaches . . .

Erik Wiken – Head CoachErik 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.

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. Most recently, he coached at the 2008 Auburn University Tigers Swim Camp.

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. Brett and his new 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. 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. Elizabeth is currently enrolled in classes at Southeast Community College in the academic transfer program.

Rick Paine – Associate Coach
Rick has coached swimming for 33 years, including 17 years at the University of Nebraska. He has worked with 9 Olympians, and served as one of the Head Coaches for the Austrian Olympic Team in 2000. He has personally coached 2 U.S. National Champions from Lincoln, 4 U.S. National Team members, 37 NCAA All Americans, 61 U.S. National Qualifiers, and 103 U.S. Junior National Qualifiers. He currently serves as the President and Director of Swimming for American College Connection, and coaches at Nike/ Peak Performance Swim Camps around the country.

Ivy Johnson (Statler) – Assistant CoachIvy has been with HLA since September of 2003, and also works as an assistant coach for Lincoln Southeast high school. In addition, Ivy has been selected to coach at 4 zones championships and has attended coaching clinics led by some of the top coaches and trainers in the country.

Prior to working with HLA, Ivy was the head age group coach with Kearney Area Swim Team and assisted coaching the Kearney High School swim team, including one state champion and relays placing in the top 6. She coached at Eden Pool in Lincoln for 3 summers as well.

Ivy was a member of the University of Nebraska Kearney swim team from 1999-2002 where she lettered two years, posted many UNK all-time top 10 times, and placed in the top 16 at the Conference level. Ivy was also a 4 year letter winner for Lincoln Southeast and the team captain her senior year when the girls were State Champions(1999). As an age group swimmer Ivy was a member of Zones and All-star teams.

She graduated from UNK in December 2003 with B.A. in elementary education/ELL, and is currently teaching at Sacred Heart School in Lincoln.

Dave Peters – Assistant Coach Dave is the head coach of the Lincoln Southeast Swimming and Diving team, and helps HLA outside of the high school season in coaching and advisory capacities. Dave also has a position on the HLA board of directors as the club's coach liaison.