Eric Fehr comes to Highlands Ranch Aquatics having coached premier swimming programs at both the club and Division I collegiate levels. “My passion is to instill a growth mindset in every member of Highlands Ranch Aquatics, one in which challenges inspire new learning and renewed dedication, thereby creating an inspirational and aspirational team environment.”

An ASCA Level 4 coach (achieved by top 5-8% of coaches in U.S.), Fehr worked with the National Group at Nitro Swimming in Austin, TX before coming to Highlands Ranch. He also earned an M.B.A. from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, and served as Director of Business Operations at Circuit of The Americas, a world-class sports and entertainment facility and the host of the Formula 1™ United States Grand Prix.

Prior to joining Nitro Swimming, Fehr spent three years an assistant coach with the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) men’s and women’s swimming teams. He coached four athletes to first-time U.S. Olympic Trial time standards and ten athletes to first-time NCAA consideration qualifying standards. In addition, both the women’s and men’s teams achieved their highest ever national rankings during his tenure.

Prior to coming to UCSB, Fehr spent four years as an assistant swimming coach at Wisconsin primarily working with sprinters and middle distance swimmers while also spearheading recruiting efforts. The Wisconsin women’s program finished in the top ten at the NCAA Championships twice during his tenure, including a program high ninth place finish in 2005-06. 29 Wisconsin athletes with university ties went on to compete at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, most in program history.

A 1998 graduate of North Carolina University, Fehr was a four-time NCAA All-American with the Tar Heels. A two-time Academic All-American, Fehr graduated from North Carolina with a B.S. in biology and a B.A. in public policy analysis. In addition to his experience in the pool and on the deck as a coach, Fehr also spent two years (1998-2000) as a financial analyst with Deutsche Bank Alex Brown and three years (2000-03) as an analyst with Norwest Venture Partners.

“I help individuals bridge the gap from aspiration to achievement. My core belief is anyone can reach new heights through the right combination of audacity, faith and commitment. I am committed to fostering this culture of growth at Highlands Ranch Aquatics, where excellence is not only encouraged, it is expected.”

Andrea Muller is a Colorado native graduating from Cherry Creek High School in 1999. While at Cherry Creek High School she was part of a national record-setting Medley Relay team in 1998. She earned several All-American Awards individually and was part of four Colorado State Championship teams.

Muller graduated in 2003 from Cook College at Rutgers University where she earned a B.S. in Animal Science. While at Rutgers she helped boost the team to a top 25 national ranking. At one point she held several breaststroke records for Rutgers. After graduating, Muller moved to China becoming the first volunteer at the Wolong Panda Reserve which paved the way for future volunteers. After moving back from China, Muller went on to receive her teaching degree from the University of Colorado in 2006. She taught 6th and 7th grade science and math for 5 years at Sky Vista Middle School in Cherry Creek. Currently, she works for Pandas International, a non-profit which helps to save the Giant Pandas in China, as the Assistant Director.

As a coach, Muller has been with HRA since 2007. She has coached many younger swimmers to become state champions and Western Zone Qualifiers. Prior to HRA, Muller was the Head Coach for Hills West Waves for five years. She also coached the HRCA Summer Swim Team, Rocky Mountain Swim Academy and HRCA Juniors Program.

“Allowing children to focus on fun, proper stroke technique, and the team aspect gives young swimmers the foundation to dream big and have a love of swimming which will last them a lifetime.”

Jill Ruppel is pleased and excited to be part of the HRA coaching staff. Jill has been involved in swimming from almost every aspect beginning with parenting four competitive swimmers along with her husband Dave. Swimming was a family affair; Jill and Dave swam with the Georgia Stingrays Masters group while Zach, Lexie, Maddie and Frank swam year-round with the club. In addition, Dave served as an official and Jill was clerk of course for the team.

While in Georgia, Jill became certified as a coach and took on the responsibilities of coaching the Stingrays development team and managing several of their pools. The Ruppel family moved to Steamboat Springs, CO. in 2006 where 3 of their children joined the seasonal swim team. Jill began coaching the development team in 2007 and was appointed Head Coach for the Steamboat Springs Swim Team in 2010. Coach Ruppel developed the seasonal team into a year-round contender with swimmers attending state, zones and sectionals.

In addition, Jill was elected Vice President/President of the Western Slope League Swimming working with others on the board to develop swimming on the western slope. Jill served as Aquatics Director and then Programs Director at the Old Town Hot Springs in Steamboat Springs and was responsible for modernizing, expanding and developing aquatics programs and special events.

Jill's coaching philosophy: Every child is important regardless of ability. Building a child's confidence through the discipline of sport and encouraging words is a recipe for success.

“I graduated from Ohio University in 1991, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition. While there, I swam for two years for the Bobcats and was a part of their MAC championship team.
 
I am married to Jim, and have two active children, Andrew, 16, and Allison, 14. In 1995, after Allison was born, I became a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council of Exercise. I’ve always loved physical activity and working with people, so I thought it was the perfect match. In 2001, I started running my own personal training company. I design strength, cardio, and flexibility training programs and feel it is important to incorporate all three disciplines to provide muscular balance and stability.
 
As a swimmer, I understand the demands of swim training and the supporting role dryland workouts will provide. I am looking forward to working with the kids and providing them with cross-training workouts, as well as exercises that will improve their core strength and flexibility. My hope is to help make them well-rounded athletes, which will only make them better swimmers.”

As a kid growing up in the Midwest, Jackie fell in love with the mountains on her numerous family road trips to the West. A lover of the outdoors and adventure, she feels right at home now finally living and exploring the great state of Colorado with her family (husband and 2 dogs).

Jackie is a true technician and enjoys studying human movement in exercise, whether in the pool or out. She received her Master’s in Exercise Physiology from the University of Texas at Austin where she helped coach both the men’s and women’s swim teams alongside Eddie Reese and Kim Brackin, respectively. During the summer of 2010, she conducted race and underwater video analysis for the country’s top swimmers as a Sports Science Consultant with the USA Swimming National Team.

The past two years, Jackie served as Exercise Physiologist for the Austin Fire Department where she taught functional movements to public safety officials ensuring long, healthy careers for those in a dangerous line of work. She is passionate about instilling safe, efficient movements in every athlete she works with in order to maximize that athlete’s potential and to ensure a long, healthy career with sports and movement. The human body can do the most incredible things when given the right stimulus.

Jackie swam collegiately at the University of Wisconsin - Madison (2004-2008) where she was a multiple time All-American, Big Ten Conference Champion, and a Big Ten Conference and Wisconsin team record holder. Jackie also competed in the 50 freestyle at the 2008 US Olympic Trials. Swimming continues to be a passion for her as she still loves to train and compete.

Her motto in coaching and in life is: “First move well, then move often.”