Megan Abarca was named head coach of the synchronized swimming team on May 25, 2018. She joined the Stanford program in September of 2012, serving as an assistant to Sara Lowe.
Abarca has helped with all aspects of the program since 2012 and has been instrumental in its success, as the Cardinal claimed Collegiate National Championships in 2013, 2016 and 2021, runner-up finishes in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and third-place showings in 2014 and 2015.
Abarca, the 2021 USA Artistic Swimming Collegiate Coach of the Year, most recently guided Stanford to the 2021 USA Artistic Swimming Collegiate National title as the Cardinal swept all events en route to the title. Hosting the U.S. Collegiate Nationals at Avery Aquatic Center for the first time since 2013, Stanford delivered impressive performances across the board over a two-day stretch on The Farm, finishing with 102.0000 points. Jacklyn Luu, who would ultimately be named Athlete of the Year and High Point Athlete, won the solo and A Figures Technical competition. Hailee Heinrich, Audrey Nguyen and Caitlin Klauer earned the trio title, while Luu and Emmanuella Tchakmakjian captured the duet crown. The Cardinal proceeded to make it a clean sweep with a victory in the team final, as Grace Alwan, Heinrich, Ava Jih-Schiff, Klauer, Luu, Nguyen, Alexandra Suarez and Tchakmakjian posted an 83.6000.
Prior to the Championship run, Abarca guided the Cardinal to a first-place finish at the 2020 Western Regionals before the Collegiate National Championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
In 2019, Stanford captured second place in solo, duet, trio and team at the Collegiate National Championships, and finished second to Ohio State.
In the 2018 Collegiate National Championships, the Cardinal placed second in duet and team, and first and third in trio. In 2017, Stanford claimed second in duet, solo and team, and in 2016, first in trio, duet, solo and team, and second in trio and duet in 2016.
Since Abarca's arrival on The Farm, 39 Cardinal student-athletes have earned All-America honors, including six in 2019. Eleven Stanford student-athletes were recognized with USA Synchro Academic Awards in 2019.
Abarca was selected head coach of the 2018 13-15 Junior National Team that competed at the Comen Cup in Seville, Spain, and at the UANA Championships in Riverside, Calif.
She previously served as an assistant head coach for the 2017 and 2016 13-15 National Teams, helping the U.S. garner third in duet and team at the Comen Cup in Mealhada, Portugal, and fourth in team at the Comen Cup in Netanya, Israel.
In 2015 and 2014, Abarca was an assistant coach for the 12 & Under National Team, sparking the U.S. to first place finishes in solo, duet and team at the UANA Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and first in solo, duet, team and figures at the UANA Championships in Riverside, California.
A 2012 graduate of Santa Clara, Abarca came to Stanford after coaching the Santa Clara Aquamaids for five years. She was an assistant coach for the 2013 World University Games, and helped the U.S. team, which included eight Stanford swimmers, finish third.
In addition to overseeing summer camps, she worked with novice, intermediate, recreational and age group programs. Her 10-and-under teams won gold in every competition in 2012.
Abarca also swam for the Aquamaids for seven years, starting with the program at age 11. As a junior team member, she placed second in team and trio events while taking fourth in the duet at the 2009 Junior Nationals.
Abarca earned a degree in psychology and holds a minor in economics. A native of San Jose, she now resides in Campbell, California.
