Country Glen Sun Devils

Coach Schaefer has been with the Sun Devils since the summer of 2000. In his 24 years, the accolades are strong as they stem from Washington Post and Montgomery Gazette Coach of the Year to Division E titles, but the element where he hangs his hat is the one win in Division A during the summer of 2017 and 18. He has seen over 2000 swimmers and divers go through the CG system and treats all of his athletes and parents as his own family. Geoff is a high school English teacher and recently retired from coaching high school swimming and volleyball so he could raise his two daughters. He looks forward to the Saturday morning theme execution, Friday night pep rallies and the B meets that take less than two hours! PASL for life!!!

Robert began diving with Country Glen in 2011. During his decade at CG, Robert has held multiple All Star top 8 positions, secured a spot in the Hall of Fame in his senior year, and coached the team to victory in multiple seasons. Following his introduction to diving as a Sun Devil, he went on to compete as Captain of the Montgomery Dive Club AAU National Team, was a Varsity letter holder and captain for Churchill Dive (where he placed 4th at the Maryland State Championship), and competed for three years as a Varsity letter holder on West Point’s Division 1 team. He graduated Magna Cum Laude this spring from the United States Military Academy, West Point, and is thrilled to step back onto the Sun Devil boards this summer as head coach!

Casey swam with the Sun Devils from 2008 to 2022 and is returning for his fifth year coaching at Country Glen. During his time at CG, he was a consistent Divisional and All-Star swimmer and swam year-round at the national level with All Star Aquatics. Casey’s CG accolades include being a multiple-time winner of the infamous paper plates “Cutest Couple” and “Harness the Power of the Sun,” and he is known for having the best sunscreen game in MCSL. In 2022, he was inducted into the Country Glen Hall of Fame. Currently, he attends Macalester College, where he studies and does research in biology and neuroscience on a premedical track, swims on the varsity team, and enjoys club water polo and volleyball. He always looks forward to finally getting shaving cream sculptures right, cheering at halftime, well relays, and most of all, Monday Funday Donuts. 

Tessa began swimming with Country Glen in 2009 as a little devil at age 4 and joined the swim team in 2010 at age 5 in hopes of demolishing her older brother’s dreams of being the fastest swimmer in the family. This is her second year coaching at Country Glen. She is a rising senior at Churchill High School where she is a tri-sport varsity athlete and future captain of the swim and dive team. She has four years of coaching experience at All Star Aquatics, where she assists the younger groups on her club swim team. Tessa is most looking forward to CG pep rallies and thoroughly organizing the shaving cream SCULPTURES this summer!

Ella began diving at Country Glen in 2015 and competed in Divisionals and All-Stars breaking CG records each year. Diving for St. Andrew's Episcopal School (SAES) last Winter, Ella placed 13th out of 48 at the Washington Metro Diving Championships and 1st at the Alexandria Invite. In addition, Ella has broken school records at SAES, where she will be a junior next Fall. Ella has trained with Coach Tim Fisher since last Fall and is looking forward to returning as Country Glen's Assistant Dive Coach this Summer. Her enthusiasm for diving, success competing at a high level, and natural ability to connect with young divers make her an important part of the team. When Ella is not diving, she is passionate about competing in equestrian, playing soccer, and hanging out with her family and friends.

Eric began swimming at Country Glen in the summer of 2018 at the age of 12. He has swum competitively for RMSC and is currently swimming for All Star Aquatics (ASA). He is a rising senior at Winston Churchill High School and is on the swim team. When Eric is not swimming, he enjoys watching swimming, is a competitive cellist, and watches football. In his first year as a CG coach, Eric looks forward to helping everyone get faster at swimming while having fun!

Nasim Elkassem has been an active swimmer at Country Glen since 2013, participating consistently in various competitions such as the all stars, divisional, and coaches long course events. He holds multiple records at Country Glen. Additionally, he has been a year-round swimmer with RMSC since 2011. Nasim was part of the successful Churchill team that achieved victory in the Metros and Maryland state championships. His leadership skills were recognized when he was voted as a 23/24 Churchill captain. He is also proudly associated with the Moroccan national team, representing his country in international swim competitions held in Cairo, Egypt in 2022. Outside of swimming, Nasim has gained valuable experience working with children as a summer camp counselor since 2016. Nasim has committed to attending Duke University in the fall of 2024 and is excited to pursue his academic and swimming journey there. Among his hobbies, he enjoys playing the saxophone, snowboarding, and soccer. Nasim is eagerly anticipating a delightful season and is thrilled to meet both new and returning swimmers.

Samir Elkassem has been swimming at Country Glen since 2013. He competed consistently at Country Glen’s all stars, divisional, and coaches long course. He holds multiple CG records. He has been swimming year around with RMSC since 2011. He was a member of the Churchill team that won Metros and Maryland state, and he was voted a 23/24 Churchill captain. He is also a member of the Moroccan national team. He represented Morocco in Cairo, Egypt in 2022 in international Swim competition. He gained extensive experience working with children as a summer camp counselor since 2016. Samir committed to Duke University and will be joining in the fall of 2024. His hobbies are guitar, skiing, soccer and skateboarding. Samir is looking forward to a joyful season and can’t wait to meet the new and returning swimmers.

Jonah Wang has been a CG Sun Devil since he was 4 years old. He has grown up at CG, living off of snack bar quesadillas and playing beaver until the pool closes every summer for the past 12 years. He is a rising junior at Churchill, where he swims on the swim team, plays lacrosse, and does most of his homework. He coached new swimmers at FINS for a year, before becoming a lifeguard, and now a CG coach. Jonah swims with ASA in the winter. He is most excited for crazy meet themes, TP'ing for Divisionals, and helping everyone have an amazing swim season.