RMSC - MLK 2023-2024 Season Information Flyer (Returning Swimmers)

RMSC is a year-round, United States of America Swimming (USAS) affiliated, age group and senior swim team. The team competes through Potomac Valley Swimming (PVS), which is our local swim committee (LSC) for USAS. RMSC offers a rewarding training and competitive experience to swimmers of all ability and interest levels through a schedule of flexible practice times.

Swimmers new to the program must attend a tryout (skill assessment) for group placement at the pool of their choice. Please view the tryout information listed under the “Joining RMSC” tab for all details and minimum qualifications. Coaches will assign practice groups depending on skill level, due to program constraints, not all swimmers who meet the minimum requirements will be offered a placement. Newcomers, who are offered a group placement, may not begin to practice with their designated group until all registration requirements have been completed including registration payment.

Entry into advanced level groups is available by coaches' invitation only. Those who participated in the program last year may register only for the group with which they practiced last year. No swimmer may change group assignment unless instructed by coach.

Meet Entry Procedures -

Meet announcements are posted on the RMSC bulletin board with entry due dates.

Coaches will notify the athletes of which meets your group will be attending. They will then let you know if the coach will sign the swimmers up or if the swimmers should sign themselves up. If the swimmers are asked to sign up on their own, they should go to the bulletin board to review the entry procedures and deadline. To enter a meet, fill out a meet sign up sheet, which is located in the lobby in front of the bulletin board. Entry slip must include: swimmer’s name, event numbers, and name. Place slip in the entry box by the bulletin board by the posted due date.

Meet the RMSC-MLK Lead Coaches

National Training Group - Maneth Gravell

Maneth P. Gravell started swimming at the age of six and swam competitively up until the age of twenty. Over that time, Maneth swam for the Darnestown Demons in the MCSL, Wootton High School, and for RMSC year round. During his swimming career, Maneth swam for many of the same individuals that are still involved with RMSC today.

After graduating from Villanova, Maneth started coaching for RMSC in the fall of 1992. Maneth has coached at KSAC, Olney, and MLK. During this time, Maneth has worked with the Advanced Juniors, NDGs, and NTG. Maneth has worked with swimmers of all abilities ranging from nationally ranked age group swimmers through Olympic Trial Qualifiers. Currently, Maneth is the head NTG coach at MLK, and he enjoys coaching more than ever.

Maneth has also coached in MCSL and CCSDA. He has coached at Darnestown, Olney Mill, Lakewood Country Club, and is currently the head coach at Argyle Country Club. He is also one of the co-directors for the Montgomery Stroke and Turn Clinic and SwiMontgomery programs. These have been highly successful swimming/lesson programs which can be found at every RMSC site.

National Development Group - Chris Benedick

Since he began coaching at RMSC-MLK, Chris has been the lead coach of the NDG group. He has helped coach many of the groups at MLK during his coaching career.

He swam at University Hills summer pool (Princemont League), Eleanor Roosevelt High School and at the University of Maryland, College Park (1989-1993).

Advanced Junior Group - Brian Cheng

He is the lead coach of the Advanced Juniors and an assistant coach for the National Development Group. Brian has coached numerous swimmers and relays to #1 rankings in PVS and to Top 10 national age group rankings. He has also coached several swimmers to first place finishes at Zones, and coached swimmers who have broken USAS, RMSC, PVS & MCSL records. Additionally, Brian has coached swimmers who have been ranked first in the country for their age. Brian also swam for RMSC for over 10 years at the RMSC-Rockville site.

Advanced Senior Group & Junior 1 Group - David Basile

Senior Group - Cecilia Frketic & Richard Clarke

Junior 2 & Mini Group - Anna Cheng

Coach Anna Cheng is the lead coach of the Junior 2 Group at the MLK site. She began coaching in 1998. Growing up, Coach Anna swam in MCSL for 13 years, for RMSC for 11 years, and for Our Lady of Good Counsel High School for 4 years. In the summer she coaches the Stonegate Serpents in MCSL with her brother Brian Cheng. Anna, is a proud mother of two boys, John and Justin. Anna is also a kindergarten teacher and teaches group and private swim lessons. She feels blessed to work with children throughout the year. Coaching, teaching and being a mom are her true passions.