While Dana Sato can be described many ways, “pool rat” is probably the one that’s been around the longest. She started swimming competitively at the ripe age of four years old, and competed in Oregon and California from 1988-2002, specializing in the 200m Fly and 200m IM. She began coaching in Silver Spring in 2004 at the YMCA, and has been coaching in MCSL since 2008 with myriad teams: Forest Knolls, Flower Valley, Kenmont, and most recently, the Whetstone Whales. When she is not coaching summer swim, you can find her teaching English at Walter Johnson High School, haunting school and community theatre programs to get her drama fix in, and prepping new teachers through Montgomery College’s ACET program. She loves traveling and reading and will happily talk your ear off about her latest fantasy novel, upcoming travel plans, swimming strategies, and theatre. Dana has two fledgling swimmers, 8-year-old twin boys, and all three of them are excited to join the Lake Marion Laser family!
Izzy has been a Laser since she was 6 and loves to swim. When not swimming for Lake Marion she swam for the Gaithersburg High School’s varsity team and Hydrosonic Tiburones club team. At Gaithersburg she won the swim team's MVP award 2 years in a row, went to states, and Metros. She is head designer and CEO for her family’s small business “Frizzy’s Tees & Things.” In her free time she likes to do any sort of art projects or watch Marvel or Star Wars movies or tv shows! She is excited to be coaching the next generation of swimmers and is looking forward to making this sport as fun for the kids as it is for her.
Ellie started on pre-team with the Lasers when she was 5 years old and has been with the team ever since. She graduated from Good Counsel High School in 2025, where she was a member of the Swim & Dive team all four years, and served as a captain her senior year. She now attends the University of Maryland at College Park (Go Terps!) and is on the club swim team there. In her free time, she likes to bake, spend time with her friends, and watch New Girl. Ellie is excited to return as an assistant coach this year. She is looking forward to having a great season!
Austin has been a Lake Marion Laser since he was 8 years old and has been swimming ever since. He started to swim competitively with The Hydro-Sonic Tiburones shortly after and has swam Varsity Swim and Dive for Our Lady of Good Counsel High School for the past three years. He has swam at Coaches Long Course, All Stars, All Star Relays, Zones and has even landed himself up on the record board. It’s hard to find time when he isn’t in the water, but in his spare time he likes to hang out with friends, play golf, and play video games. Watching the younger swimmers gain confidence as a CIT has been a lot of fun for Austin and he is excited to have another great season as a Swimmer Coach.
Ricky has been a Laser since he was 6 years old. He loves to swim and spend time at the pool creating memories with his teammates. When not swimming for Lake Marion Ricky enjoys competing in multiple sports. He swam for the Hydrosonic Tiburones when he was younger. He also swam for the Gaithersburg High School’s varsity swim and dive team. Outside of swimming he does enjoys playing varsity soccer and track. At Gaithersburg, Ricky competed at states and was an assistant coach. Ricky is excited to be coaching and growing a new community of swimmers. He is looking forward to making this a fun and very memorable experience for everyone, just like his past coaches did for him.
This is Elliot’s second year with Lake Marion, she previously swam and helped coach with the Upper County Dolphins and the Rockville Rays. She also has been swimming competitively with the Rockville Montgomery Swim Club since the age of 6 and joined Gaithersburg High School’s varsity Swim and Dive team her sophomore year. At Gaithersburg, she has enjoyed being an assistant coach along with going to metros and states. When not in the pool, Elliot enjoys working as a lifeguard, baking, and spending time with friends. She is hoping to help the younger swimmers grow their love for swimming and gain confidence in their swimming abilities; like her coaches did for her.