The Wheaton Pre-College Athlete Experience offers you the unique opportunity to preview college life as a varsity student-athlete. You’ll be introduced to college-level learning and train with NCAA-level coaches.
Choose one of the following sports: Artistic Swimming, Distance Running, Fencing, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball or Strength and Conditioning (relevant to any sport). All programs are co-ed, except for Lacrosse (women’s) and Field Hockey (women’s).
You are encouraged to apply regardless of whether or not you plan to pursue collegiate athletics.
Program Details
The Athlete Experience provides you with focused athletic training, including sport-specific drills and personalized coaching, and promotes leadership, teamwork and communication—vital for success in college and beyond. Additionally, you’ll learn how to navigate the college athletic recruitment process and showcase your skills to potential college scouts and coaches.
As a student-athlete, you’ll take ONE course in either the AM or PM schedule depending on your sport. See the Courses page for the course options and schedules. You’ll also attend weekly College-Life Workshops with all other students to prepare for the transition to college.
Artistic Swimming Program
Our Artistic Swimming Program is designed to advance your skills and prepare you to compete at the collegiate level. The program focuses on technique, choreography, strength, flexibility and power, helping you develop the skills needed to excel.
We emphasize body mobility, rotational power and artistic expression, preparing you for transitions, acrobatics and underwater movements. Training takes place in an eight-lane, 40-meter pool, equipped with specialized facilities. With a supportive environment, you can refine your unique style and performance and gain increased confidence for future competitions.
Eligibility Requirements: Students with prior competitive swim experience are encouraged to apply. U.S. citizens must have a USA Artistic Swimming grade level of five or higher.
Rebecca Ercoli
Head Coach, Artistic (Synchronized) Swimming Program and Aquatics Director
Wheaton College
Rebecca Ercoli brings a wealth of experience as both a former medal-winning collegiate swimmer and dedicated coach. Under her leadership, the team has produced seven All-Americans, three national team members, and achieved multiple top-five national finishes, along with nine regional titles. Most notably, in 2024, she guided a swimmer to win a national solo title, a testament to her coaching expertise.
A former national team hopeful, Rebecca’s competitive background allows her to connect with athletes, fostering a supportive and motivating environment. She holds a communications and business degree from Keuka College and is a CCP Level 3 certified coach.
Distance Running Program
Our Pre-College Distance Running Program provides comprehensive training on summer mileage and fundamentals of the sport. You’ll enjoy a structured and supportive environment with personalized coaching in areas like warm-ups, flexibility, injury prevention and cross-training.
In addition to the physical training, you’ll engage in classroom sessions covering a range of topics crucial to your development as a runner. You’ll explore various training philosophies and gain insight into the recruitment process. Plus, learn how to plan race pacing, manage energy, and adapt your mental strategies for different racing environments—whether you choose to compete in college or support your personal running goals.
Eligibility Requirements: Students with competitive running experience at the high school interscholastic and/or competitive club level in cross country and/or track and field qualify for this program. Students should be able to comfortably run at least 30 minutes for at least 4-5 days per week, with a varying degree of intensity.
Meet the Coach
Alexander Evans
Associate Head Coach, Cross Country Program
Wheaton College
Alexander Evans, a former collegiate runner, oversees the distance program during the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. Evans led Wheaton to its first NCAA Cross-Country Championship qualifier in 20 years. He has seen over 20 distance Top 10 program marks and the rewriting of three different distance school records.
Before Wheaton, he coached Divisional, All-State, All-Region and national championship qualifying athletes at Norton High School and national qualifiers at Suffolk University. His high school athletes have gone on to compete at Division I institutions such as LSU, Quinnipiac, Dartmouth, Providence College and the University of Vermont.
Evans holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in communications from Bryant University. A five-year member of the cross-country and track and field teams, he left Bryant with Top 10 program marks in the Indoor Mile and the Outdoor 4x800m Relay.
Fencing Program
Our Pre-College Fencing Program offers a comprehensive training regimen designed to cultivate skills essential for competitive success. Daily training sessions encompass a holistic approach, integrating warm-ups, intricate footwork, targeted drills and live fencing. You’ll engage in mental agility exercises, technical drills emphasizing speed and precision, and tactical scenarios strategically enhancing your decision-making abilities.
Additionally, as time allows, the program will delve into the nuances of fencing through tactical video analysis, offering invaluable insights to further elevate your performance. Beyond the art of fencing, this program provides a nuanced understanding of the demanding yet rewarding life of a varsity athlete—an immersive preview of the commitment and dedication required to excel.
Eligibility Requirements: Students with any fencing experience qualify for this program. From beginner to advanced, anyone passionate about this sport and also those considering fencing in college can participate.
Meet the Coach
David Sach
Head Coach, Fencing Program
Wheaton College
David Sach is the Inaugural Head Coach for Fencing at Wheaton and serves as the Director of Operations at Boston Fencing Club. Sach previously served as Head Coach of Fencing at Tufts University and guided the team to a second-place national ranking. At the international level, he has served as a British Fencing World Class Performance Pathway Sabre coach producing national champions, World Cup medalists, a Cadet World Champion and Olympians.
As a fencer, Sach won a number of national titles, including five consecutive Junior National Championships. He also earned a pair of individual silver medals and a team gold at the Commonwealth Games.
Field Hockey Program (women’s)
Our Pre-College Field Hockey Program is designed to help you improve your field hockey performance and prepare for college-level competition. Through skill-specific drills and small-sided gameplay, you’ll engage in specialized training that emphasizes the development of critical skills such as 1v1 defense, 3-D eliminations and shooting techniques.
You will not only strengthen your offensive and defensive strategies but also gain insight into the training regimens typical of collegiate athletes. In addition to skill development, you will benefit from sport-specific strength and conditioning training led by a certified NSCA-CSCS coach and learn how to navigate the recruitment process.
You’ll also receive guidance tailored to your individual aspirations for your overall college experience including your academic, athletic and personal goals.
Eligibility Requirements: Students with any field hockey playing experience qualify for this program. From beginner to advanced, anyone passionate about the sport and also those considering playing field hockey in college can participate.
Meet the Coach
Kelsey Buckley
Assistant Coach, Field Hockey Program
Wheaton College
Kelsey Buckley is a 2018 Wheaton College graduate who excelled in the classroom and on the field. She earned multiple academic honors, including National Field Hockey Coaches Association Awards. A standout forward from 2014-2017, Buckley ranks 10th in career points and 6th in career goals at Wheaton.
After graduation, she coached at Fairfield Ludlowe High School and the Field Hockey Club of Connecticut. She then served as Assistant Coach at Portsmouth Abbey School, leading the team to back-to-back Eastern Independent League postseason appearances. Buckley returned to her Wheaton roots in 2023 as an Assistant Coach and also coaches for STARS Field Hockey.
Lacrosse Program (women’s)
Our Pre-College Lacrosse Program builds a strong foundation for college-level play. While many high school and club programs concentrate on team dynamics, our focus is on honing individual skills such as stickwork, coordination, footwork and more. With small group sizes, you’ll receive personalized feedback that accelerates your growth and enhances your individual game.
Off the field, we prioritize leadership development with workshops on communication, conflict resolution, and cultivating effective teamwork. We also provide recruiting support, teaching you how to communicate with college coaches, create highlight videos, and update your recruiting profile. This program offers a glimpse of life as a college lacrosse player and how to thrive as a student-athlete.
Eligibility Requirements: Students with high school or club girl’s lacrosse playing experience qualify for this program.
Meet the Coach
Meghan Sharick
Assistant Coach, Women’s Lacrosse Program
Wheaton College
Meghan Sharick brings her passion for the sport and a strong connection to the program. A standout defender for the Lyons from 2017-2020, Sharick started 35 of 42 games, scoring 11 goals, collecting 64 ground balls, causing 26 turnovers, and securing 20 draw controls. She also served as a two-year captain, demonstrating her commitment and dedication to her teammates.
Sharick was also a high achiever in the classroom. She earned a spot on the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference team and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Environmental Science. Prior to joining Wheaton, Sharick served as the Head Junior Varsity Coach for the Amherst Regional High School lacrosse team before returning to Wheaton.
Swimming Program
Our Pre-College Swimming Program will help you improve your skills and learn what it takes to compete at the collegiate level. This program offers a comprehensive regimen, structured into specialized groups—Distance, Mid-Distance, and Sprint—focusing on race-specific sets under the guidance of an expert coach.
You will participate in small group stroke analysis sessions to refine all four strokes, unlocking the secrets to efficient and powerful swimming. You’ll focus on skills like perfecting starts, turns, and the art of underwater propulsion for impeccable race execution. Our training environment boasts an eight-lane, 40-meter pool with a dedicated diving well. You’ll also have access to specialized equipment like power towers and racks to enhance training dynamics.
Eligibility Requirements: Students with competitive swim experience qualify for this program. Students should come in with knowledge of all four strokes and be able to swim 3,000-4,500+ yards within two hours.
Meet the Coach
Garrett Shuldes
Assistant Coach, Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Programs
Wheaton College
Entering his third year as Assistant Coach for the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Programs at Wheaton College, Garrett Shuldes has played a pivotal role in leading the teams to the NCAA Championships in each of his first two seasons. During his inaugural year, the program achieved its highest-ever relay finish, marking a significant milestone.
As a student-athlete, Garrett was instrumental in guiding his team to four consecutive conference championships. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Physics, reflecting his strong academic background alongside his athletic achievements.
Tennis Program
Our Pre-College Tennis Program is tailored to help improve your fundamentals, skills, fitness and on-court strategy as a tournament-level player. This program also provides essential education on navigating the recruiting process.
You’ll benefit from small group settings and personalized coaching tailored to your specific needs and goals. Training sessions include skill-building drills, structured match play, and in-depth film review to analyze techniques and strategies. Additionally, you’ll engage in specialized footwork, speed, and agility training to enhance your overall athletic performance.
Our program offers a competitive yet supportive environment to help you excel both on and off the court. You’ll enhance your overall academic, athletic and personal experiences, regardless of your future plans in college sports.
Eligibility Requirements: Students with competitive tennis experience qualify for this program. The prospective student should have tournament experience (USTA or UTR) or have competed at a high level of high school tennis.
Meet the Coach
Dan Munsey
Head Coach, Men’s and Women’s Tennis Program
Wheaton College
Dan Munsey brings over 100 career victories and experience from NCAA Division I, II and III levels. A former standout player at Colby-Sawyer, he earned over 90 wins and was a three-time All-Conference award winner, graduating with a degree in Sport Management.
With a strong presence in the New England tennis scene, Munsey has previously served as Head Coach at Clark University, Assumption College and Emerson College. In his first year at Wheaton, he guided the men’s team to a NEWMAC playoff berth and secured a victory in the NEWMAC Quarterfinals, while also coaching a player to the NEWMAC All-Conference Singles Team. His coaching philosophy emphasizes improvement and success, consistently resulting in increased win totals and rising standings at every institution he has led.
Volleyball Program
Our Pre-College Volleyball Program offers a comprehensive exploration of collegiate volleyball including skills, tactics, and overall theory of the game. In this program, you’ll learn essential skills needed to be successful on the floor, along with effective strategies to lead to positive outcomes in competitive play.
You will gain a deeper understanding of volleyball theory on both the men’s and women’s side through video analysis and group discussions highlighting effective offensive and defensive systems. Sessions include dynamic warm-ups, ball control drills, blocking technique, serving, passing, attacking and defensive strategies. You’ll also explore the life of a collegiate athlete, emphasizing the dedication, work ethic, and mental resilience required for success—valuable skills that can benefit you in many areas of life, whether you choose to pursue athletics in college or not.
Eligibility Requirements: Students with any volleyball experience qualify for this program. From beginner to advanced, anyone passionate about this sport and also those considering volleyball in college can participate.
Meet the Coach
Scott Reslow
Head Coach, Men’s Volleyball Program
Wheaton College
Scott Reslow, a former NCAA Division III athlete in basketball and club volleyball, is the inaugural Head Coach for Men’s Volleyball at Wheaton College. Before joining Wheaton, Reslow was the Head Coach of the men’s volleyball program at Johnson & Wales University where he led the team to multiple semifinal finishes in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) and was named Coach of the Year in 2011.
Reslow is the lead broadcaster for men’s volleyball at Wentworth Institute of Technology and color commentator for Brown University women’s volleyball on ESPN+. He provided play-by-play for the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Regionals in 2023 and women’s tournaments from 2017 to 2019. As Boys’ Volleyball Director at South County Volleyball Club in Rhode Island, his teams have ranked in the top three regionally for four consecutive years. Reslow has also served on American Volleyball Coaches Association committees, including the National Team Ranking and All-American Selection Committees.
Strength and Conditioning Program
Our Pre-College Strength and Conditioning Program offers a comprehensive introduction to various areas of athletic performance. You will train with certified NSCA and USTFCCCA coaches in the areas of speed and agility, rest and recovery, and strength and mobility. This training regimen is crafted to refine and elevate your cross-training knowledge and development.
Our training environment boasts a best-in-class varsity performance center for strength sessions, classrooms with wifi and video capabilities, and access to field turf and natural grass surfaces for speed and agility training. If you aspire to be recruited by college coaches in your chosen sport(s), this training offers an immersive preview of the physical and mental commitment and dedication required to excel.
Eligibility Requirements: Students with competitive athletic experience at the high school interscholastic and/or competitive club level in any sport, qualify for this program.
Meet the Coaches
Brooke Marshall
Head Coach, Field Hockey Program
Wheaton College
Brooke Marshall is a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach and a former college athlete standout.
In her role as Head Coach of Wheaton’s Field Hockey Program, Marshall has successfully guided the team through a rebuilding phase to earn its first playoff berth in more than a decade. She previously served as an assistant coach at Smith College, helping the school capture its first conference championship.
As a college athlete, Marshall competed for the University of New England (UNE), leading the team to three consecutive conference championships. She earned a B.S. in applied exercise science from UNE and an M.S. in exercise and sports studies from Smith.
Kim Spence
Head Coach, Men’s and Women’s Track & Field
Wheaton College
Kim Spence, is a certified Strength and Conditioning Coach and a former championship track athlete. Spence has guided the Women’s Track & Field team to competition at six NCAA outdoor national championships and five indoor championship meets. During her tenure, she has coached five All-Americans.
As a student-athlete at Wheaton, Spence helped the Lyons win six NCAA track and field championships. A two-year captain for each track and field squad, she earned All-America honors in three events. She graduated magna cum laude from Wheaton, majoring in American History and earned an M.S. in education from Fitchburg State University.
Make It a Summer to Remember
This summer, connect with other motivated pre-college students who share your academic and extracurricular interests. Discover your passions. Explore new ideas. Create memories that will last a lifetime.
Questions?
For Pre-College inquiries, contact:
Wheaton Office of Summer Programming
508-286-8242
[email protected]
Learn more about Wheaton: