Abarca Accepts Team USA Role

STANFORD, Calif. - Following a 13-year affiliation with the Stanford artistic swimming program, Megan Abarca announced Tuesday she has accepted a role as the Senior National Team Head Coach of USA Artistic Swimming.

Abarca spent the last seven seasons as head coach, guiding the Cardinal to a pair of national titles (2021, 2025) and four consecutive MPSF crowns (2022-25) while producing 10 individual national champions during her tenure at the helm which began in May 2018.

Since first arriving on The Farm in September 2012, Abarca has been an instrumental part of Stanford’s success, also contributing to national championships in 2013 and 2016 during a six-year stretch as assistant coach.

As part of her role with USA Artistic Swimming, Abarca will choreograph routines, coach and train the nation’s most talented artistic swimmers at the team’s base in Los Angeles. She will be responsible for preparing athletes for multiple international competitions and developing future Olympians.

The transition to USA Artistic Swimming should be a smooth one for Abarca, who possesses a wealth of international coaching experience. Most notably, she served as an assistant coach with the U.S. national team at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Three Cardinal athletes coached by Abarca captured silver medals in the team acrobatic routine representing Team USA, with Megumi Field, Audrey Kwon and Jacklyn Luu leading the Americans to their first medal in 20 years.

“Whether it be recapping the incredible performances of our student-athletes, soaking up inspiration and wisdom from my fellow coaches or admiring the tireless efforts of our support staff, I am so grateful to be surrounded by this Stanford Athletics community,” said Abarca, who will have the unique opportunity to lead the national team on home soil ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. "Through the highs and the lows, I will be forever indebted to Stanford for shaping me through these past 13 years of precious memories and valuable experiences. I would especially like to thank Sara Lilly (Lowe) for giving me the opportunity to join this family 13 years ago as her assistant coach. I leave The Farm with a full heart, and I will always be cheering for Stanford as it continues to lead the way in both academic and athletic greatness. Go Card!”