Left to Right: Michele Eray (Sprint High Performance Director), Jerzy Dziadkowiec (Sprint Kayak Coach), Lee Leibfarth (Slalom Coach), and Kaitlyn McElroy (Paracanoe Coach)
Thanks to the generosity of our competition funding partners, we are thrilled to announce four new hires to our Competition Department representing an exciting step forward in our support for athletes across multiple disciplines. These experienced leaders bring decades of knowledge and passion to our national teams, and we are confident they will help elevate our programs in the lead-up to LA28 and beyond.
Michele Eray – Sprint High Performance Director
We are pleased to announce that Michele Eray has joined the ACA staff as our new Sprint High Performance Director. In this role, Michele will work closely with our Sprint coaches to build a cohesive, high-performing program that propels our athletes to new levels of success. Her extensive international experience as an athlete, coach, and high-performance director spans Sprint, Marathon, and Ocean Racing—including years on the South African National Team, multiple Olympic Games, and World Championships.
Michele will lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive competition strategy, as well as support the integration of technology-based tools to enhance athlete development. Her deep connections in the global paddlesports community and well-rounded expertise make her an invaluable addition to our team.
We also want to extend our gratitude to Steve Kelly, who is transitioning out of his current role this April. Steve has been an unwavering advocate for our Sprint athletes and has devoted countless hours to supporting the community. We are grateful that he will continue to offer his support to Michele and the team. His leadership, knowledge, and passion will continue to be a guiding force.
In recognition of Steve’s extraordinary contributions, the ACA is proud to announce the creation of the Steve Kelly Award for Outstanding Discipline. This annual honor will be given to an athlete who exemplifies the seriousness, consistency, and commitment that Steve has long championed.
Jerzy Dziadkowiec – Sprint Kayak National Team Coach
We’re excited to welcome Jerzy Dziadkowiec back in a formal capacity as the U.S. National Team Men’s Kayak Coach. Jerzy has coached some of the world’s top athletes, including Olympic medalist Josef Dostál, and brings decades of experience to this role. A 1972 Olympian for Poland, Jerzy was recruited by USA Canoe/Kayak in 1990 ahead of the Barcelona Olympics and served as the Head U.S. Sprint Kayak Coach from 1991-2004.
While Jerzy has continued to mentor athletes from his home base in San Diego, we are thrilled to now have him in a more formal role. His return comes at a crucial time as we build momentum toward LA28, and his expertise is already making an impact.
Joe Harper continues in his role as Sprint Canoe National Team Coach, working in parallel with Jerzy to provide strong discipline-specific leadership and coaching. Both will work under the guidance of Michele Eray as she leads all Sprint programming in her new role as Sprint High Performance Director. Together, this team will be instrumental in strengthening our Sprint program and supporting athletes on their path to international success.
Lee Leibfarth – Slalom National Team Coach
Lee Leibfarth joins the ACA Competition staff as a National Team Coach, working with our U23 athletes on the Senior National Team alongside Rafal Smolen. Lee has long been a fixture in the paddlesports world, most recently serving as the personal coach to his daughter, Evy Leibfarth, and working in a contract coaching capacity with other top U.S. athletes since the Tokyo Olympics.
From his early days as an athlete to his leadership roles—including Chief Operating Officer of the Nantahala Outdoor Center—Lee brings a wealth of experience across disciplines. His presence, alongside Rafal, marks a strong step forward in strengthening our national development pipeline and providing more comprehensive support for our athletes.
Kaitlyn McElroy – Paracanoe National Team Coach
We are also excited to announce Kaitlyn McElroy as the new National Team Coach for the U.S. Paracanoe program. Kaitlyn is a decorated Sprint Kayak athlete with five World Cup podium finishes and has worked with several of our Paralympic athletes in recent years. She currently runs Overholser Kayak Club in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In addition to her accomplishments in paddlesports, Kaitlyn has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Her diverse athletic and academic background, combined with her dedication to athlete development, will be instrumental in advancing our Paracanoe program to new heights. “My goal is to build a strong program in paracanoe, with a clear accessible development structure. This will form the base for a full team to represent at LA28 and many paralympic games to come,” shared Kaitlyn, who will join the broader Competition Department under the leadership of Jed Hinkley, ACA’s Competition Director, who will also be taking on oversight of the Paracanoe program following Steve Kelly’s transition. She will work closely alongside Lee Leibfarth, who also reports to Jed in his continued role coaching the Slalom U23 and Senior National Teams.
These new hires reflect the ACA’s continued commitment to high performance and athlete development across all disciplines. Please join us in welcoming Michele, Jerzy, Lee, and Kaitlyn to the ACA team!