Special Edition Fall 2023: St. Kate’s swim and dive team is putting the ‘team above all else’ this season

2023-24 Wildcat swim and dive team out for breakfast. Credit: Anneke van Oosterom

By Skylar Mattson

Justin Zook, former head coach of St. Kate’s swim and dive team, announced his resignation the week of Aug. 21, less than two months before the team’s first meet in mid-October. In the MIAC article announcing the resignation, Zook shared, “The last several days have been filled with mixed emotions as after seven years at St. Kate’s I have decided to take a step away from the pool deck for the time being. Altogether, I have dedicated the last 30 years of my life to the sport of swimming as both an athlete and coach.”

He continued, “I know the timing is never going to be perfect for decisions like this to occur, but I am beyond confident the current group of student-athletes will continue to strive towards excellence together under new leadership.” 

Throughout these 30 years, Zook had already seen much success as both an athlete and a coach. Zook’s swimming career highlights include three paralympic gold medals and three world championship titles in the 100 meter backstroke. Before coming to St. Kate’s in 2016, he helped bring much success to Robbinsdale-Armstrong High School’s swim teams in his hometown of Plymouth, Minn. 

Under Zook, the Wildcat swim and dive team won three consecutive MIAC Championships from 2020-2023, set multiple program records and earned many All-MIAC and All-America honors. Zook also coached the team’s first NCAA national champion. 

Many familiar faces to the team have stuck around this season. Previous assistant coaches Dan Eckberg and Nicole Hempler have transitioned to assistant head coaches, and assistant coach Shannon van Oosterom has joined the team for another season. The coaching staff also brought back a recent team member, Jordyn Wentzel, as an assistant coach. 

Zook’s resignation was announced around a week before the Wildcats came back to campus for a new season. A couple of weeks after their arrival, the Wildcats dove into the start of the 2023-24 season. 

I checked in with some coaches and swimmers to see how this very new season is going.

Hempler has been coaching for the team since 2002. Read some portions of Hempler’s interview to see how she has seen the Wildcats overcome change in her assistant head coaching position this season:

SM: What about swimming has gotten you to dedicate a large part of your career and life to it?

NH: I think it’s just watching the growth. Not necessarily in the water, but I’ve always loved watching our students as they come in as first-years, just watching them grow and become more independent.

SM: How do you think the team handled the news of Justin leaving?

NH: There was a lot of uncertainty. I think by keeping it consistent so that it didn’t seem like a big change, other than just one person not on deck with us anymore, that’s really all that they’ve noticed. And because of that, I think we’ve been able to move through it really well.

SM: What caused you to take the head coach position on again?

NH: Because of the timing, we knew trying to hire somebody new at this point would’ve been a challenge. By splitting the responsibilities [with Dan Eckberg], it has really helped. Once we were able to hire Jordyn, she has been a huge help to not just be at practices but to really try to learn the recruiting.

Wentzel’s Wildcat swimming career included being both a four-time MIAC Swimmer of the Year and the first Wildcat to become an NCAA national champion. Wentzel received 26 All-America honors and holds countless conference and team records.

Wentzel shared what it has been like to come back onto the team as a coach and gave her perspective on how the team is adjusting to change this season:

SM: What has it been like coaching your past teammates and working with your past coaches as now your colleagues? 

JW: It’s honestly been great. I am learning so much from the other coaches that I can apply to my other coaching jobs. Similarly to my teammates, it has been great being able to support them from a different role. Knowing that I just went through exactly what they are going through makes it easier for me to give advice when they need it and provide feedback. 

SM: How do you think the team has adjusted to the changes in coaching this season?

JW: I think the team has adjusted well to the changes in the coaching staff this season. Having two of our assistants last year and myself step into those roles has helped mitigate the change. The team is very close and everyone supports each other.

Team captain Sammi Friedrich ’24 (Exercise Science) shared her favorite memory so far this season. “Some of our first-years, I just overheard them talking, and they were like, ‘I’ve never been on a team that was so much like a family before,’” she said. “It just touched my heart because that is our goal.” 

Friedrich, along with her fellow captain Anneke van Oosterom ’24 (Biology/Data Science, Math minor), shared how the team has come together to adjust to the new coaching this season:

SM: As a captain, what were your thoughts surrounding the team when Justin announced he was leaving?

AvO: Knowing that change is hard, and seeing that on the team was hard, but it was our role to stay level-headed and to reassure them that it was going to be [the] same team and we were there for them. It was a time for us to come together and solidify that mission, drive and goals, and reconfirm how we worked together, which it had never been lacking. It was just the time to remember it because it could’ve gotten lost.

SM: How has the team adjusted to the changes in coaching this season?

SF: Just kind of adjusting in different ways, ‘cause same people but stepping into head coach position.

SM: What has it been like having your past teammate, Jordyn Wentzel, step into a coaching role?

AvO: She’s really stepped into her role, and she has a perspective that is unique in that she does remember what it’s like to be a college athlete.

SF: She’s come in and added so much to the team already.

SM: Anything else you would like to add?

AvO: [referring to her team] I’m so proud of them.

SF: I love my team. I love them so much.

One of nine first-years on the team, Mary Morris ’27 (Biology, Longevity and Aging minor) emphasized the team’s close bond this season. “I think we create just a really good positive environment of just cheering for each other, lifting each other up, making jokes. I laugh so much at practice; it’s sometimes hard for me to swim. For me, one word to describe the team is fun. I enjoy it so much. I love the whole team.”

She concluded, “I would just like to emphasize how much the team has really come together this season. We’re all there for each other, and I think this team is truly a family within itself. I love being here at St. Kate’s, and I’m super happy with my decision to be on this team.” 

According to all interviewees, the season is off to a great start. Van Oosterom shared that the accomplishments jar that swimmers add tokens to when they swim a season or career best is filling up.

 “If that’s any indication of how good personal swims are going to be going, I see all sorts of success in [athletes’] best times and having good swims for our team,” van Oosterom said. 

Wildcat swimmers with their accomplishments jar.

The Wildcats will continue to prepare for the MIAC Championships at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in February. This preparation may look a bit different as Friedrich shared that the team shirts this year say, “Team above all else.” Their goals this season prioritize being a team; performance comes second. But of course, it is an extremely close second for this consecutive three-time MIAC Championship-winning team.