Our Coaches . . .

Tyler Scheer – Head CoachTyler is a graduate of the University of South Dakota honors program, earning a BS in English. He joined Heartland Aquatics as a full-time coach in the summer of 2006 following experience as the assistant coach for Morningside College and two years of coaching for the Siouxland Sharks. He became the head coach of HLA in the spring of 2007.

Tyler's swimming career began with the Hillcrest Country Club swimming team when he was seven, and he swam for the progression of teams that eventually formed HLA. Tyler swam for Lincoln East High School, and then joined the USD swimming and diving team in 2001. At USD, Tyler was a four time Academic All-American and a six time All-American, receiving USD’s Student-Athlete of the year award in 2004. Tyler was also a two-time All-Conference water polo selection and a member of the Collegiate Water Polo Association’s All-Academic team five years in a row. He plans on attending graduate school, and earning a PhD in English to become a professor.

Ivy Statler – Assistant CoachIvy has been with HLA since September of 2003. She coached the silver 2 group this past season which included many Division 1 qualifiers and quite a few division 1 champions. Ivy has been the assistant coach for Lincoln Southeast high school for the past two years. 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.

Kate Wheeler – Assistant Coach Kate joined the HLA coaching staff in the fall of 2007. Kate grew up in Issaquah, Washington. Kate began swimming at the age of five, and attended the University of Nebraska in 2003 on a swimming scholarship. She competed for the Cornhuskers for four years, during which she amassed more than 50 individual dual-meet victories and was named to the Academic All-Big 12 1st team several times. She also qualified for the NCAA Championships in 2006 in the 200 free, 500 free, and 1650, placing 21st in the 1650. She graduated from UNL in 2007 with a degree in Astrophysics and is considering a career as a math teacher. Kate has also been a coach at Husker Swim Camps for the past two years.

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.

Adam Sauter – Assistant Coach Adam is a graduate of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln earning a BS in Business - Marketing and a minor in English. He joined the coaching staff at Heartland Aquatics in the summer of 2007. He is also a Technical Consultant for Kenexa Technologies Inc. Adam started swimming for Eden City Pool before joining Great Plains Aquatic Club at the age of 11. He also joined the Southeast Swimming and water polo teams during his high school years where he was named captain to both his senior year. He went on to play water polo at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, being named Vice President and Co-Captain his freshman and sophomore years.

Katherine Steinberger – Assistant Coach Katherine is our most recent coaching addition, joining 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 is a Lincoln East High School senior and has competed at the State High School Swimming Championships 3 years in a row. She plans to become an elementary teacher.

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 liason.

Tanner Penrod – Assistant Coach Tanner is a former head coach of Heartland Aquatics, and is currently the head coach of the Lincoln Southwest Swimming and Diving team. Tanner assists HLA outside of the high school season as needed in coaching and advisory capacities.