Meet the BAC Coaches

Over 50 years of developing young leaders in and out of the swim pool!

The BAC Coaches

BIOS

Jeff has been coaching competitive swimming since 1989.  He has also coached at Richfield High School as an assistant for four years for the boys and girls teams, was the Head Coach of the Minneapolis Southwest Boys and Girls High School Teams for four years and was the Head Coach at Bloomington Jefferson High School Girls Team for three years.

Jeff swam competitively for 17 years qualifying for the USA Olympic Trials in 1987. Jeff swam for Richfield High School where he was 1984's Minnesota Swimmer of the Year, a 5-time High School All-American, State Record holder and held every swim record at Richfield High School when he graduated. He also swam for University of Wisconsin-Madison where he was Co-MVP in his sophomore year and held one Varsity School record.

Paula brings 10 previous years of coaching experience to BAC ranging from Developmental through Senior coaching.

Paula began coaching at Bloomington Swim Club for three years under the direction of Bud Erickson, she was the assistant coach for the Novice level for 1 year and became the Head Novice Coach the following year before moving to Edina Swim Club under the direction of Greg and Ann Anklam, where she was the Head B/C Coach with Edina for 4 years.  After Edina Paula become the Head Age Group and Senior coach at Richfield Swim Club. Coached at Richfield for 3 years, in which time she doubled the size of the team and increased their presence at State and Regional swim meets, began an annual stoke clinic, initiated a program sending the team on trips and the team won the “Spirit” Award 2 years in a row at the State Meet.

Josh  grew up in Shakopee, where he swam with BAC for almost 7 years and the Shakopee high school team for 5. He primarily swam mid-distance freestyle. Josh is currently a student at the University of Minnesota studying Mechanical Engineering. He continues to swim in college and has enjoyed his time as the Shakopee developmental coach so far. 

Laura works primarily with our Bloomington Developmental team. She came to us with a year of coaching experience at the high school level and with many years experience teaching swim lessons to younger swimmers. Laura started club swimming when she was eight years old and developed a deep love of the sport. Laura continued her swimming career for Champlin Park High School where she specialized first as a 500 freestyler, and then as a 50/100 freestyler. She then attended Gustavus Adolphus College and graduated in 2018 with a degree in Elementary Education. 

Catie assists at our senior team level. She coached for 2 years with us before finishing her program at St. Catherine's University to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Catie's return to BAC came in the fall of 2019. Catie has spent time coaching as an assistant coach for the Girl's Central High School Swim and Dive Team (1 year) and Student Coaching with St. Catherine's University Swimming Team in St. Paul (2 years). Catie swam competitively for 14 years, focusing mainly in the 200/400 IM, 200 fly, and 200 breaststroke events during her college career. Catie graduated from Burnsville Senior High School in 2010 and went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut (UCONN) in 2014. 

Jennie coached our Developmental team in Bloomington for over 8 years. She has since then taken over our Masters swim program and assists at all team levels.  Jennie also has been a member of our BAC Board of Directors since the fall of 2007.

She swam for Richfield High School and competed at the State High School level earning numerous All-State honors in the Breaststroke and Individual Medley.  She also swam for Richfield Swim Club from the time she was 8 years old through high school. Jennie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Chrissy  swam for BAC from age 8 through high school and was also part of the Shakopee Senior High School swim team. As a high school swimmer, she competed in the 200 and 500 Free, relay events, and sometimes breaststroke events. Chrissy taught swim lessons throughout high school to swimmers ranging in age from toddler to adult. She graduated high school in 2015 and graduated from the University of North Dakota with a BS in psychology in 2017.

Joel coached with BAC through the summer of 2003, he then was named the Head Coach of WEST Express Swim Team in Chaska.  He was their Head Coach for three years.  Joel’s return to BAC came in the winter of 2007.  Previous to his first stint with BAC, Joel coached with the Foxjet Swim Team where he coached Developmental and Age Group levels.  Joel has over 20 years of competitive swimming and coaching experience, including coaching a Special Olympics team for 5 years.

 Joel swam and graduated from Prior Lake High School and went on to graduate from Mankato State University (currently Minnesota State University-Mankato), where he competed on the men’s swim team and also went on to be an assistant coach for the men’s program.

Other Team Members