BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Former Queens College swimmer and water polo athlete Samantha Oyola has remained close to the pool deck as the former Knight is head coach of the York College men’s and women’s swimming programs.
Oyola rejoined the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II York College staff in 2019-20 season following a hiatus. The York College Athletics Coach of the Year in 2016-17, she previously served two seasons (2016-18) as the Cardinals’ head coach prior to the returning to The City University of New York in Jamaica, N.Y., prior to the Fall of 2019.
During her four seasons (2005-09) as a member of the swimming team at Queens, Oyola served as team captain during the 2008 campaign. As a senior, Oyola was a member of the women’s water polo team before graduating Queens in 2009 with a degree in Fitness Nutrition & Exercise Science with a concentration in Textiles & Apparel.
Prior to arriving at York in 2016, Oyola had served as the head swimming coach of Monsignor McClancy High School from 2014-16. When Oyola began her tenure at Monsignor McClancy, she inherited a team with just 13 swimmers, and grew the team in size to more than 30. In 2015, the team placed second in their division and 95% of the girls’ team advanced to the Catholic High School A Championship cuts.
With years of experience as a swimming instructor, Oyola has provided the local community with diverse aquatic programming through progressive skill development and outstanding instructional coaching since 2014. Oyola’s program, Strongwater Swim, has called the York College Natatorium home since 2018.
Prior to this venture, she served as an Age Group Coach and Water Safety Instructor at USA Pools from 2009-13, where she facilitated swim lessons for both novice and advanced swimmers of all ages. From 2007-15, Oyola was a Lifeguard Supervisor and Water Safety Instructor at Queens College, and now trains individuals to become American Red Cross lifeguards.
Oyola also founded a competitive club team at Flushing Meadow Corona Park Pool. The team started with six swimmers and reached maximum capacity with 40 dedicated swimmers. Among the group of athletes were Junior Olympic contenders and students who moved on to elite competitive swim teams on the prep level such as Stuyvesant High School and The Bronx High School of Science, as well as at the college levels at Queens College and Hunter College.
Away from the pool, Oyola is an artist specializing in fashion photography and illustration.
