Mark Spinola
Coach Mark Spinola is in his 13th year as the Head Coach of the MSC Blue Wave. he is also an assistant coach for the FR Varsity swim team and part-time assistant coach for the Franklin Area Swim Team (FAST). Away from the pool, Coach Spinola teaches Economics and Advanced Placement US Government at Gateway High School.
Coach Spinola is a USA Swimming certified swim coach as well as a USA Swimming certified stroke and turn judge. He is certified by the American Red Cross in Aquatic Life-Saving, AED and CPR. He has served as Vice President of the Board at Murrysville Swim Club and in the past, served on the Franklin Area Swim Team Board.
Anyone who has been a swimmer for Coach Spinola will tell you that he is very competitive and like most coaches, he loves to win. Above all, he has learned that a swim team’s purpose is to promote fun, fitness and friendships as well as skill development, sportsmanship and building self-confidence. As Head Coach of the MSC Swim Team, he will work with his fellow coaches, our Swim Moms, parents and athletes to make a fun and successful season.
Seth Spinola
Seth Spinola has been swimming since the age of nine and has long been a dedicated member of the Blue Wave swim community. His passion for swimming and team spirit have made him an important part of the program.
Seth is currently studying Early Childhood Education and is working toward becoming a teacher. Alongside his studies, he works as an instructional aide at Franklin Regional Primary School, where he enjoys helping young students learn and grow.
In 2023, Seth joined the Franklin Area Swim Team (FAST) coaching staff and has enjoyed the opportunity to work with developing swimmers. Outside of the pool, Seth enjoys spending time with friends, swimming, helping his grandparents, bowling, and hanging out with his dog.
Seth is excited to help young swimmers build their skills and confidence in the water and hopes they have as much fun swimming at MSC as he did.
His favorite events are the 200 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle Relay, and 400 Freestyle Relay.
Kate Bunker
Kate Bunker grew up in the Murrysville Swim Club (MSC) program, swimming for the team from age six through her senior year of high school. During that time, she also competed on the Franklin Regional High School swim team, where she continued to develop her love for the sport and team environment.
Kate is currently a nursing major at the University of Virginia, where she is also an active member of the UVA Club Swim Team. Swimming continues to be an important part of her life, both competitively and as a way to stay connected to the sport she loves.
Her favorite part of summer swim is the strong sense of community that MSC creates. Kate is excited to return each summer and help younger swimmers grow their skills, confidence, and love for swimming while being part of the team that shaped so many of her own memories.
Abram Spinola
Abram Spinola, is joining the MSC coaching staff this summer as a Junior Assistant Coach.
Swimming has been a huge part of Abram’s life. He is the son of Head Coach Mark Spinola and the brother of Assistant Coach Seth Spinola, so the pool has always felt like home to him. He has been swimming for 13 years and has competed on several teams in the Murrysville area including MSC, Franklin Area Swim Team (FAST), and both the Franklin Regional Middle School and High School swim teams.
Abram’s strongest events are backstroke and mid-distance freestyle, and he is currently competing with the University of Pittsburgh Club Swim Team, where he swims the 50 and 100 backstroke as well as the 200 freestyle. He is a rising junior at the University of Pittsburgh, where he is studying architecture.
In addition to competing, he has spent the last four years teaching swim lessons at MSC, and currently serves as a swim lesson instructor with FAST as well.
One of his goals this summer is to help all of our swimmers improve their skills and confidence in the water, while also creating a fun team culture filled with summer memories. One of his favorite parts about MSC is seeing swimmers of all ages and abilities come together as teammates. He always especially loved being a “Warrior” during the MSC vs. Meadowink meet—it’s one of the highlights of the season.
Abram is really looking forward to working with all of the swimmers this summer and helping them grow throughout the season.
