Manhattan Makos Swim Team

Our Story

BUILT FOR
CHAMPIONS

The Manhattan Makos are the competitive swim team of Imagine School of Swimming. We are USA Swimming registered and dedicated to developing swimmers of all abilities — from beginners finding their stroke to elite athletes competing at the national level.

We train at two premier locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, with five distinct training groups designed to meet athletes at every stage of their journey. Our coaches bring deep competitive experience and a passion for the sport.

View Training Groups

Swim Groups

FIND YOUR
LANE

Five training groups designed for every stage of competitive swimming. Hover to learn more about each group.

Mako Pups

Ages 6–8

Introduction to competitive swimming. Building water confidence, basic strokes, and a love for the sport.

Mini Makos

Ages 9–11

Stroke refinement and first meet experience. Developing competitive habits and team spirit.

Red Makos

Ages 9–12

Intermediate competitive training. Race strategy, all four strokes and relay events.

Junior Makos

Ages 13–18

High-level training with increased yardage. Regional and zone competition focus.

Senior Makos

Ages 13–18

Elite training. National-level competition, college recruiting, and championship performance.

Where We Train

TWO
LOCATIONS

Primary Location

Leman Prep

1 Morris Street
New York, NY 10004

All Groups Train Here

Get Directions →

Brooklyn Location

Crown Heights Armory

1561 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11216

All Groups Train Here

Get Directions →

On the Map

FIND
THE POOLS

Leman Prep

1 Morris Street, New York, NY 10004

Directions →

Crown Heights Armory

1561 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Directions →

Upcoming Meets

MEET
SCHEDULE

2025–2026 Season

Date	Meet	Location	Groups
Jul 9–12, 2026	Senior MetsAway	NCAC, Long Island	Senior · Qualifiers Only
Jul 17–19, 2026	Junior MetsAway	NCAC, Long Island	Junior · Qualifiers Only

2026–2027 Season

Date	Meet	Location	Groups
Oct 10–11, 2026	AGUA Season StarterAway	UES	All Groups
Nov 21–22, 2026	QNS Protect Ya NeckAway	Lehman College	All Groups
Dec 12–13, 2026	TRI InviteAway	Lehman College	All Groups
Jan 16–18, 2027	MLK AGUAAway	UES	All Groups
Feb 11–14, 2027	Senior MetsAway	NCAC	Senior · Qualifiers Only
Feb 19–21, 2027	Silver ChampsAway	Lehman College	Qualifiers Only
Mar 6–7, 2027	8&U ChampsAway	Felix Festa	8 & Under Only
Mar 12–14, 2027	Junior Mets + Team ChallengeAway	NCAC	Junior · Qualifiers Only
Mar 19–21, 2027	Bronze ChampsAway	Mark Twain, Yonkers	9 & Over
Mar 18–21, 2027	SectionalsAway	Brown University	Qualifiers Only

Leadership

THE
COACHES

Director of Competitive Development · Head Coach

Jon Pepaj

Jon came to the US in 2011 from Tirana, Albania — a decorated international competitor who represented Albania at two World Championships (Manchester 2008, Rome 2009) and the European Championships (Istanbul 2009). He went on to earn a full scholarship to St. Francis College in Brooklyn, where he was team Captain and MVP. Jon has been a Makos Coach since July 2016.

Lead Coach — Red Makos

Brian Clarke

A Brooklyn native who found competitive swimming in high school and never looked back. Brian swam for Brooklyn College, earning Performer of the Year honors in 2010–11, and as team captain led the Bulldogs to a program-best finish in the CUNYAC Athletic Conference. His passion is showing young swimmers the freedom the water can provide.

Coaching Staff

Katie Mulcahy

Katie grew up in New Jersey, where her dad taught her to swim in their backyard pool during the summer. Although he had no formal experience as a swim instructor, he taught her the basics and instilled a love of the water that she has carried with her ever since. She soon started on a local swim team at the Freehold YMCA, where she learned proper strokes and techniques. Her journey continued throughout high school and college, as Katie was recruited to swim at Wagner College in Staten Island. At Wagner, Katie was a distance/IM specialist and her favorite event was the 400 IM! She was a four-year team member and a team captain her senior year. In 2020, Katie graduated with a degree in Biopsychology. She moved to NYC to pursue her Master's in Occupational Therapy at New York University. Her hobbies include listening to podcasts, working out, and reading.

Coaching Staff

Lucy Peterson

Lucy learned to swim in the public pools of her hometown St. Paul, Minnesota, joining her first competitive team at age nine. She swam at Gustavus Adolphus College, where she served two years as Team Captain and earned 17 All-Conference honors and five All-American honors at the 2022, 2023 and 2024 NCAA Championships.

Coaching Staff

Evan Nicely

Evan's aquatic journey began at his neighborhood pool in Richmond, Virginia, and quickly grew into a passion that took him to the national stage. As a member of Quest Swimming, he qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 400 and 200 IM, and went on to swim Division I at Virginia Tech.

In the Water