Meet our Coaches

Head Coach - Mike Lilleeng

Coach Lilleeng is on a quest to share his enthusiasm and love of swimming. “I’m honored to be the head coach of the MMAC. I want the swimmers to first of all have fun learning a great sport, but also learn the importance of setting goals and striving to reach them. It’s not about the wins and losses, but how much you can improve yourself. For me, swimming is a great vehicle for imparting these life-skills to youngsters. It’s a great sport that they can enjoy all their lives and see the benefits of hard work, setting goals, and learning perseverance that will help for years to come.”

Coach Lilleeng finds it impossible to think of a time in his life when he was not involved in swimming. Taught by his mom, a former pentathlon champion in the State of Michigan, he learned to swim in Lake Huron. Lilleeng recalls his first memories of swimming, “I just remember how cold the water was, and how vast the waters seemed--endless.” After four years on the Royal Oak-Kimball high school swim team in Michigan, he continued to swim in college at Northern Michigan University where his competitive nature emerged. “At Northern Michigan, I got the eye of the tiger. I set a goal to make Nationals. My coach, a former Marine, was a hard driver, but also kept it fun. It took a lot of pain and effort, but I met my goal and competed at the NCAAII championships. Competing taught me goals, perseverance and to never quit.”

Lilleeng’s first job out of college included coaching the Beloit, Wisconsin boys swim team. Under Lilleeng, the team earned two back-to-back state championships. The year before he took over, the team had been 20th in the state. Lilleeng recalls two key factors in their success, “The parents went all out to support their sons on the quest for the state title, and the boys, well, they ALL decided they wanted to take state.”

While earning his Masters Degree, Lilleeng coached the Northern Michigan University mens team to a top six in the NCAAII nationals. Lilleeng settled in northern Illinois and coached boys and girls swimming at Wheeling and Hersey High Schools for over 30 years combined. Lilleeng recalls one of the highlights of these years, “I was delighted to coach a swimmer who was state champion in the 100 yard free and 100 yard fly three years in a row, plus was ranked number one in the United States in the 100 yard fly, and to top it off, made the cover of Sports Illustrated.”

In his late 40s, Lilleeng joined a Masters Swimming group and began competing again. He made two first places in the YMCA nationals. In the Senior Swimming Olympics, he earned two first place finishes, a second place, and a third place. “Competing again after all these years, invigorated my coaching and renewed my desire to help young people reach their potential as athletes.” Lilleeng spends his free time swimming, boating, reading, and working out. For Lilleeng, the quest continues.

Asst Coach Sharon Lesniak

Coach Sharon has been with the MAC team since 2004. Her son, Johnathan, swam for MAC growing up and went on to swim for McHenry West High School and now swims for the University of Wisconin - Green Bay. Coach Sharon specializes in developing young swimmers and loves the interaction with them. She loves to see their progress through dedication and lots of hard work. Coach Sharon is also an IHSA official for the past six years.

Coach John Lesniak

Coach John shares a passion for coaching youth with his wife Sharon. John is a graduate of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights and played football for Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. John lives by the motto, “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing”. John has coached youth sports for over 25 years and currently coaches the Round Lake Ducks summer swim team in Round Lake.