Team

Founded in 1992, the COUGAR AQUATIC TEAM (CAT) is a year-round USA Swimming competitive swim club located in Montclair, New Jersey.  In the Summer of 2015, longtime Cougar coach Eric Harse took over the reins from Coach Judy Montalbano and became our team’s Head Coach. Coach Eric continues to build on CAT’s past successes while reaching for new heights.

While CAT qualifies swimmers for both junior and senior nationals each year and has trained numerous Olympic trial qualifiers, our coaching team nurtures every athlete to reach his or her full potential. As swimmers progress through the team’s training groups they are exposed to a variety of coaching styles. This unique approach, coupled with a focus on correct stroke technique and an increase in yardage and commitment with each successive level, sets every swimmer up for success. CAT is a close-knit team of swimmers and coaches who support each other every step of the way. We believe a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer.

CAT offers both year-round and seasonal programs for swimmers ages 6 up, from those learning to swim for the first time to those seeking the highest levels of challenge and commitment.  The team trains and competes year round and runs either from September through July (Age Group 2 and up) or September through June (Age Group 1). The seasonal non-competitive groups (Cougar Cubs and Cougar Price) run off and on throughout the school year taking breaks over holiday periods (winter break, spring break).