Samantha Oyola rejoins York College as head men's and women's swimming coach ahead for the 2019-20 season. Oyola, who was named the York College Athletics Coach of the Year in 2016-17, served two seasons (2016-18) as the Cardinals' head coach.
"Oyola is an outstanding swim instructor and coach, and has proven she has what it takes to lead our swimming program," said York director of athletics and recreation Deneé Barracato. “Coach Oyola is a valued member of our staff and will have an immediate impact not only on our swimming programs, but on our entire department.
Oyola, who led the Cardinals as head coach from 2016-18, developed a pair of CUNYAC Sportsmanship Team honorees in Dorianny Rojas and Jeremy Sapeg during the 2017-18 season.
“I am excited to return to the York family," said Oyola. "I hope to pick up where we left off and continue to build and develop our student-athletes. I look forward to having a successful second stint with the Cardinals.”
With NCAA Division II experience as a student-athlete at Queens College, Oyola provides the program with the leadership needed to climb the CUNYAC rankings. 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.
Oyola resides in Astoria and was a graduate of the High School of Art & Design.
