Head Coach Mirko comes to us with 9 years of coaching experience, in recent years with Lyons Swim Club, where he has been Assistant Head Coach and interim Co-Head Coach. He holds an American Swimming Coaches Association Level 3 certificate. He was selected as a coach for Team Illinois for the Mega-Zone Meet in Indianapolis in 2008. Growing up in Serbia, Coach Mirko was an accomplished age group and college swimmer specializing in butterfly and individual medley. He held numerous national titles. He completed a B.S. in Economics at the University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia before moving to and becoming a citizen of the United States. He still swims competitively in a masters program and is a marathon runner. Coach Mirko is really happy that in this moment of his career, to have the opportunity to take on new challenges with the Hornets. "I am enjoying working with all coaches and giving my best to the swimmers."

Assistant Coach Mike Slotwinski swam competitively for 11 years. The first four years at Burbank Swim Club, three years at Hornet Swim Club, and four years at Hinsdale South High School. He was a state champion for the Hornet Swim Club and three time state qualifier at Hinsdale South High School in the 100 breaststroke, 200 Medley Relay, and the 200 & 400 Freestyle relays. He has been coaching the Hornets for a year now and he has taught the Learn-to–Swim Program for two years. Mike is currently a junior at DePaul University and studying Secondary Education with a Minor in Chemistry.

Coach Ausra Balsiene has 12 years of coaching experience and believes in coaching proper swimming techniques in a way that is both positive and informative.  She received her bachelor’s degree from the Lithuanian State Institute of Physical Culture where she majored in Swim Instruction.  Coach Ausra began her competitive swim career at six years of age and continued until she was twenty two.  During many of these 16 years, she was a Lithuanian National Champion.  She was a 3 time Lithuanian Record Holder -- in the 200 meter, 400 meter and the 800 meter freestyle.  Ausra’s 800 meter record stood for 20 years. Coach Ausra brings passion and experience to the Hornet Swim Club.

Coach Eric brings a strong history of experience and knowledge to Hornets Swim Club. Before coming to us, Coach Eric worked for the Hinsdale Swim Club as the Assistant Senior/Dry-Land coach for 3 years, mainly coaching 10 to 14 year olds.   Prior to that, as the Head Swim Coach of the Kroehler YMCA Swim Team in Naperville for 9 years, the team grew from 60 to over 200 swimmers, with many competing at the State Championship level. Coach Eric has 20 plus years of competitive swimming experience at the park district, club, high school, and collegiate levels. He was a 2-time NJCAA finalist in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke. Over his career, Coach Eric has worked with swimmers from novice to Olympic Time Trial qualifiers.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Coach Eric has also achieved ASCA Level  2 certification.  As a person who still competes in triathlons, he personifies the same long-term goals he asks of his swimmers. He believes that the fundamentals of technique, hard work, and a positive mental attitude are what swimmers need to succeed over the course of a swimming career. He said, “I am excited to have this opportunity to be a part of Hornet Swim Club!” 

Coach Frank Kuchta Jr. is a recent graduate of the University of Tampa, where his degree was in Exercise Science and Sports Studies. A competitive swimmer for 17 years, he started his swimming career at age 6 with Hornet Swim Club. At Carl Sandburg High School, he earned All-American Honors in the 200 yard Free Relay. At University of Tampa, he was a 3-time NCAA Division II national qualifier, receiving three All-American awards for both the 800 and 400 yard Free Relays. Most recently in his first year of masters swimming, he was national champion in the 200 I.M. as well as achieving top tier finishes in the 200 and 100 yard Freestyle events.

Coach Frank has 7 years of swim coaching experience, including two years as head coach of the Hinsdale Community Town Team. Coach Frank says, "I have a strong passion for the sport and a will to see others succeed. I am thrilled to be working with the Hornet Swim Club swimmers."