Wheaton College (MA)

Rebecca Ercoli is in her 18th season as Wheaton's Head Artistic Swimming coach in 2024-25 and has held the post longer than any coach in school history.

Wheaton Artistic Swimming placed fifth at the 2024 U.S. Collegiate National Championship to give the Lyons 34 consecutive top-ten Championship performances. Wheaton was led by Olivia Macdonald '27, who captured the Solo Free National crown after previously earning the Solo title at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship earlier in the season. 

The program finished fifth at the 2019 U.S. Collegiate National Championships, which was the last title meet the Lyons competed in before COVID-19 interrupted the program's ability to compete for the championship. 

In 2014-15, the Lyons secured fifth place at nationals and claimed their first-ever Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) championship and first East Regional title since 1991 on February 28.

Ercoli has coached three national champions, two national team members, one U.S. Synchronized Swimming Collegiate Athlete of the Year, seven All-Americans, 27 All-Collegiate student-athletes and 35 All-Academic student-athletes during her time at Wheaton. Christiana Butera '12, who claimed U.S. Synchronized Swimming Collegiate Athlete of the Year honors in 2012, was also one of 12 athletes selected to represent her country at the 14th FINA World Aquatics Championships in July 2011, while Laura Montes '10 represented Puerto Rico from 2000-06 and 2010.

In addition to her coaching duties, Ercoli also served as the education chair of the New England Synchronized Swimming Association (NESSA). She previously served on the NCAA subcommittee for the sport and was the collegiate chair for U.S. Synchronized Swimming. Ercoli holds a Level 2 USA Synchro Coaching certification and also is lifeguard/waterfront certified.

In 2011, Ercoli was awarded the U.S. Collegiate Contributor award for her overall contributions to the sport of synchronized swimming.

A four-year synchronized swimmer at regional rival Keuka College in Keuka Park, N.Y., Ercoli was an assistant coach with the program in 2006-07. Among her main tasks at Keuka were structuring practices and implementing new workout routines. She also coached and choreographed routines for the Keuka Kokanees Age Group squad from 2002-07 and began designing routines for Keuka as a freshman.

A three-year captain at Keuka, Ercoli advanced to the third phase of tryouts for the U.S. Senior National team in 2007. She also coached a team at the Empire State Games in Binghamton, N.Y., in 2006.

Ercoli was the Keuka program's recruiting coordinator during her freshman and sophomore seasons and, after just her freshman year of college, she served as the communications director of Keuka's synchronized swimming camp in the summer of 2003.

She was among the top seven soloists in the nation at the U.S. Collegiate Championship each of her final three seasons and half of a top-11 duet on three occasions. Keuka recorded a top-10 finish each of her four years, placing as high as fifth during her senior campaign.

Ercoli made an appearance at the U.S. National Championship as both a junior and senior. She was voted Keuka Athlete of the Year by her peers following her senior season. An organizational communications major, Ercoli graduated from Keuka in May 2006.

Along with her collegiate honors, Ercoli was awarded the Florida Association Athlete of the Year award in 2002.