Alexis D Keto
CEO/Head Coach
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3rd year at New
Trier Aquatics
23rd year coaching
Head Coach/CEO
Lead Coach: Senior High Performance
B.A. Northwestern
University
Coach Alexis Keto is the current
head coach & CEO of New Trier Aquatics in Winnetka, IL. She
believes in the well-rounded, socially-aware athlete and infuses
this philosophy into each workout, competition & team endeavor.
Each swimmer has the potential to be successful, and she feels that
coaches should help swimmers discover their pathways to success and
to their goals on a personal and individualized
level.
Over her 20-plus years of
coaching, Alexis has had the good fortune of coaching at every
level of the sport - summer league, high school, club and college.
In her twelve years at Colorado, the team grew from 4 state
qualifiers to 75 state qualifiers, 40+ Sectional qualifiers,
Multiple State Record Holders, Junior National (USA/NCSA/ISCA)
Qualifiers and National/Olympic Trial athletes. This
tradition of excellence continues at NTA with World Championship
Trials and Senior National finalists. Perhaps her greatest
pride, however, is her ability to use her college
coaching/recruiting experience at NC State & Northwestern to
help athletes find the perfect college - whether at Division 1
schools or NAIA schools. Over 50 athletes have continued their
swimming career at the collegiate level with an
impressive number becoming team captains during their college
tenure.
Every swimmer has something to
give to the team and has something to gain from the sport and Coach
Alexis is eager to develop all facets of the athlete. She is
also actively involved in the development of the sport of
swimming at state and national level, currently serving on national
committees, formerly very active in the development of the Western
Senior Zone Championships and she has held several positions in the
Colorado LSC. Her involvement is not just in governance, as she has
coached and managed several local, zone and national camps &
teams - most recently as part of the task force for the inaugural
2018 Leadership Summit and as head coach of the 2018 Eastern Zone
Select Camp.
Matt T Zachan
Director of Sports Performance
Email
7th year at New Trier
Aquatics
10th year
coaching
Head Age Group Coach
Lead Coach: Junior Performance,
Assistant Coach; Senior/Age Group
Programming
B.S. California State University,
Chico
M.A.T. National Louis
University
Matt began his coaching career in
Atlanta with Dynamo Swim Club, a perennial USA Swimming gold medal
award winning club. While at Dynamo Matt was fortunate enough to
work alongside some of USA Swimming's best coaches and coach some
of the top athletes in the country. In his time at Dynamo he
coached swimmers who achieved first place finishes at Age Group
State, multiple top 10 finishes at Age Group State, multiple top 10
Power Point scores in the Georgia LSC, multiple Senior State
qualifiers and was selected as a Georgia Zone coach in
2011.
Matt came to New Trier Aquatics in the
fall of 2013. In his time at New Trier, Matt has coached athletes
who have achieved USA Swimming Summer National and Junior National
time standards, top 20 all time USA Swimming times, NCSA
Junior National top 3 finishes, Illinois Swimming records, NCSA
Junior National time standards, first place finishes at Age Group
State, multiple Illinois Swimming top 10 times, team records,
Summer and Spring Sectional times, and Senior State
times.
Matt is a firm believer in creatively
approaching swimming. He consistently strives to keep swimming
interesting by inventing new drills and writing innovative
workouts. His creativity can be seen>Drill of the Week along
with other videos that showcase the things he does in practice
everyday.
Matt grew up in the San Francisco Bay
Area and now lives in Edgewater with his wife and two dogs.
Gregory L Hartman
Director of Personnel
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8th Season at New Trier
Aquatics
22nd Year Coaching
Head Senior Assistant
Coach
Lead
Coach: Senior Performance
B.S. University of Illinois at
Chicago
Greg most recently was with the
Patriot Aquatic Club and Stevenson High School from 2006-2015.
Greg served as the Head Age Group coach from 2006-2011 and the
Senior Advanced Coach 2011-2015. He had helped coach the program to
multiple ISI Age Group Top Ten Finishes and ISI Senior State
Championships. He had crowned multiple ISI Regional and ISI Age
Group State Champions. Greg also served as the Head Boys
Swimming and Diving Coach at Stevenson High School and had lead the
program 2008-2015. During his tenure the program flourished
posting a 39-6 Dual Meet Record, 3 Lake County Championships,
6 North Suburban Conference Championships, 3 IHSA Sectional
Championships, an IHSA Top Ten Finish, and multiple NISCA All
Americans. In 2012 he was named by Pioneer Press Lake Shore Coach
of the Year and in 2014 was named IHSA Sectional Coach of the
Year.
Throughout his career he
has proudly guided swimmers to multiple Club Team
Records, ISI Regional, ISI State, Central Zone, Speedo Sectional,
NCSA National, USA Junior National, USA Senior
National, and Olympic Trial Levels. Many of his former
athletes have moved on to compete and excel at the collegiate
level. Greg believes in a “Think, Swim, Fast,
Win” philosophy. This philosophy lends the various
aspects of commitment and hard work developed through the sport of
competitive swimming to overall development of an individual. This
belief provides the competitive athlete an experience that will
extend well beyond the pool.
Greg currently holds an ASCA Level IV
coaching level. He graduated from the University of Illinois at
Chicago in 2002 with a B.S. in Kinesiology. Greg currently resides
in Norwood Park with his wife, daughter, and 2 dogs.
Laszlo Hruza
Director of Water Polo
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2nd Season at NTA
15th year of coaching
B.A. Arizona State University -Tempe
Laszlo comes to New Trier Aquatics with a wide range of coaching
experience throughout all ages and skill levels. The Hungarian
native built a well-known reputation of developing players and
programs both domestically and internationally. He coached on four
different continents and his players continuously compete and won
in the NCAA, University Games, World Championships and some even
made Olympic teams for various Nations.
Currently, he is a FINA lecturer, conducting coaches’
clinics around the world in his free time. In addition, recently he
worked with the International Olympic Committee’s Solidarity
program to reestablish a sustainable water polo program in
Barbados.
In Illinois, he worked tirelessly with numerous programs and
athletes to try to grow and elevate the prestige of Illinois Water
Polo. He has worked with several high school and club programs and
helped many athletes to get to the collegiate level. He even
started an “elite” water polo training session where he
invites the top players from around the State for some
high-performance training.
On the colligate level, he worked with Arizona State University
and Michigan State University - the latter to back to back Big Ten
Championship (2008, 2009) and to the National Championship (2008).
He also, earned the prestigious Big Ten Coach of the Year Award in
2009.
“I am very excited to get this opportunity with New Trier
Aquatics. The club’s vision for water polo is unparalleled in
the State of Illinois or even in the Nation, and I’m so
honored to lead it. As a director of Water Polo, I can promise you
that I will work tirelessly to help every single athlete to reach
their full potential, not just as an athlete, but as a successful
member of our community.”
Blake J Mock
Director of Operations
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I am excited to have
joined the New Trier Aquatics Team as Director of Operations in
March of 2018. Swimming has been in my life in some form or
another since childhood, swimming for the North Suburban YMCA in
the winter and the Northbrook Park District in the summer. I
continued my swimming career into high school at Glenbrook North
High School. I also lifeguarded and taught swimming lessons during
the summer.
About 10 years ago, I continued my involvement with swimming by
joining the official’s side of the pool. I have earned an N3
national status at all levels of officiating. Some of my
experiences include:
- Club level, high school, and college meets
- Open Water- State, Zone, Junior Nationals, and Nationals
- NCSA Junior Nationals and Age Group Championships in Orlando
- Junior Nationals
- Nationals
- TYR Pro Series
- Speedo Sectionals
I have traveled to many cities officiating and have met many
wonderful people, all dedicated to the sport of swimming. In
addition to this role, I also serve as a mentor and a trainer in
all aspects of officiating.
From 2010-2014, I was Vice President of Events for the New Trier
Swim Club. NTSC, now NTA, began a culture of leadership in
hosting Official Training Clinics and Recertification Clinics. For
myself, I learned how to manage the whole meet experience to
provide the best opportunities for our swimmers.
I have served as Vice Chair of Program Operations of Illinois
Swimming from 2013 - 2017. This position helped me widen my
knowledge of swimming from a local club level to a successful LSC
level and beyond. I oversaw safe sport and consolidated Rules and
Regulations for Illinois Swimming. Currently, I am General
Chair of Illinois Swimming which is a term that runs through
2020.
I have 2 children: Emily, 23, who swam at New Trier. She is
currently earning her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Drake
University. Nick, 20, is finishing his sophomore year at Oakton
Community College and plans to go to Franlin College in Franklin
Indiana to get a B.A. I live in Northbrook with my wife
Sarah.
The dictionary says swimming is a sport or activity of propelling
oneself through water using the limbs. Although true, I
believe that swimming also builds character, sportsmanship,
and the knowledge that hard work pays off. See you at the
pool!
Katie Crider
Lead Coach
Email
2nd Year at New Trier
Aquatics
5th Year
Coaching
Lead Coach; D Groups, Assistant
Coach; Age Group/Senior, Strength and
Conditioning
BBA, Georgia Southern
University
MS, University of
Florida
Katie comes to New Trier with an
intuitive and creative, but analytical approach after having gotten
her start coaching in 2013 in her hometown of Bloomington, Indiana
with the club she grew up swimming with, Counsilman Center Swim
Team. She then went off to get her Masters in Human Performance,
specializing in performance psychology and elite athlete training
at the University of Florida. While there, she coached some of the
top 11-12 year old swimmers in the country with Gator Swim Club.
Upon graduating, Katie moved further south to take the opportunity
to be Head Age Group Coach at Saint Andrew's Aquatics in Boca
Raton, Florida. During her time at Saint Andrew's, she coached all
age groups and abilities, from those just dipping their toes in the
pool for the first time to some of the top age group swimmers in
the US.
After
moving from one side of the country to the other, Katie is excited
to return to the Midwest with more knowledge, experience and
enthusiasm for the sport of swimming that she loves to share with
swimmers and their families.
Sarah K Erickson
Office Administrator
Email
8th Year at New Trier
Aquatics
8th Year Coaching
Lead Coach; Senior,
Evening Masters Assistant Coach; Age Group/ Senior
Programming
Sarah has been coaching or swimming
for New Trier Aquatics for over 15 years. Her passion extends to
every group as she helps as she believes that each swimmer matters.
She serves as our office manager so that our communication as
a team can move to the next level in community engagement and
service. Sarah often serves as our Team Manager on many of
our Team Travel Trips. She is currently pursuing a nursing degree
at Northeastern University so that she can make even more of a
difference in our community.
Sarah currently resides in Evanson and
in her free time, she enjoys pottery, great food, and having fun
exploring Chicago!
Marie Antoinette Flores
Lead Coach
Email
3Rd year at New Trier Aquatics
11th year in Aquatics Instruction
B.A. - University of
Texas-Austin
Lead Coach; Intro, Novice, and A8, Assistant
Coach; Age Group
Marie Antoinette Flores hails from the Texas border city of El
Paso. Marie started swimming at the early age of 4 years old and
was in competition by the age of 6. Joining a top private
international team, El Paso Aqua Posse, Marie swam competitively
for all of her childhood, high school and one season at UT Austin.
Marie was a four time Texas Age Group Swimming champion from
1988-1992, and was a long time Southwest region record holder for
girls 10 & under 200 meter IM and 100 meter Butterfly.
Marie chose to follow the performing arts upon entering her
second year of college and moved from Austin to Chicago to pursue a
Bachelors in Vocal Performance and Theater from Roosevelt
University. Ms. Flores has performed in many Chicago theatre/opera
productions and can be heard in various voice over spots in local
and national commercials.
Marie Antoinette loves being a part of the New Trier Aquatics
Coaching team and is delighted to be working in an inclusive,
nurturing and dynamic swimming community.
James R Helm
Lead Coach
Email
2nd Season at New Trier
Aquatics
8th Year Coaching
Lead
Coach; A9, A10/ Assistant
Coach; Age Group
B.S. University of
Findlay
James Helm will be entering his
second season and first full year at New Trier Aquatics. He
restarted his coaching career working long course seasons with the
Lincolnwood Lightning 8 years ago. He has spent the last 6 seasons
with the Iguanas Swim Club (Chicago) where he was an extremely
successful lead age group coach.
Coach James has proven track
record of developing proper stroke technique had the unique
opportunity to work with and successfully develop swimmers of
multiple skill levels. He is extremely excited to bring his energy,
passion and love of swimming to New Trier Aquatics. Helm has been
privileged to work with multiple Club Team Record Holders, ISI
Regional, ISI State, Central Zone and Speedo Sectional
Levels qualifiers and Champions.
James is a native of the south
side and attended Mount Carmel High School (Chicago)
where he swam and played water polo all four years. Helm continued
his swimming career at
the University of Findlay (Ohio), excelling in
short distance sprints. He was an individual record holder,
National Qualifier and member of four school record setting
All-American relays.
In his spare time when not
coaching swimming, basketball or baseball, Coach James enjoys
spending time with his family and walking his disobedient dog,
Daisy.
Brendan C Hulseman
Lead Coach
Email
2nd Season at New Trier
Aquatics
2nd Year
Coaching
Lead Coach; Junior Advanced,
Senior Advanced
B.S. St. Louis
University
Brendan is joining the NTA Staff as
our Lead Coach for both the Senior and Junior Advanced level. He
swam for NTSC (2007-2016) under the direction of Bob
Kizer, Kyle Bubolz, and Andrew Hodgson. He Graduated from Loyola
Academy in 2012 where he was a multi sport athlete excelling in
swimming and water polo. In 2011 and 2012 he was an All American on
the all of the Relays for Loyola Academy. Brendan attended St.
Louis University where he continuted to excell in pool as varisty
member from 2012-2016. He was school record holder on all the SLU
Relays as well as 200 Freestyle and 100
Butterfly. Brendan earned his degree in B.S.
Buisness Administration with a concentration in Sports
Buisness. After graduating from SLU Brendan served as the
general manager for Cyclebar in Evanston. He also currently serves
as an assistant coach for the boys water polo coach at Loyola
Academy. Brendan currently resides in Lincoln Square and when he is
not on the pool deck you may find him on a bicycle, as he is an
avid rider.
Keith Yavitt
Lead Coach
Email
Mac Guy
NTHS Girls Head Coach
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Mac is thrilled to be returning to NTA! He began his coaching
career at the age of 15 for the Old Willow Club, and for the past
twenty years, he has coached swimmers in competitions ranging from
summer league meets to the NCAA Championships. After coaching the
senior group at NTSC for a bit, he took on a grad assistant
position on the Northwestern University Women’s team in 2008
while finishing his Masters in Education. He then began his high
school teaching career at Neuqua Velly High School
before moving back to his alma mater, New Trier High
School, in 2011. In his five years as head of the girls’
program at New Trier, the team has won two state championships and
five conference championships. He has published articles for ASCA
and helps to edit the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches
Association Journal. He is also an assistant coach for the New
Trier Boys Swim and Dive program and the Boys Water Polo
program.
Josh Runkle
NTHS Boys Head Coach
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Josh Runkle is starting his first season with NTSC. Coach Runkle is currently the Head Coach of the New Trier Boys Swimming & Diving team and serves as the Aquatic Director and teacher in the Kinetic Wellness Department at NT. He has over 20 years of experience at the high school and club level. Prior to coming to New Trier, Coach Runkle was the Head Coach of the Boys Swimming team at Glenbrook North for 11 years. During his tenure, he coached 11 HS All Americans and his was named Sectional Coach of the Year 3 times. While at GBN, he also served as an assistant with Glenbrook Aquatics as well as coaching football and water polo. His first head coaching job came at Highland Park High School, where he was in charge of both high school programs and worked with the COHO Swim club. Coach Runkle received his B.S. in Health Science from Western Illinois University in 1995 and Masters of Education from National-Louis University in 2002. Coach Runkle lives in Highland Park with his wife, Amy, and daughter, Ellie.
Robert Miner
Strength and Conditioning
Email
1st Year at New Trier
Aquatics
4th Year Coaching
B.S. - University of
Wisconsin-Green Bay
M.S. - Concordia College
Lead Coach- Strength and
Conditioning
Coach Rob comes to New Trier with a
diverse coaching background. Growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, he
started his career in athletics teaching lessons at the age of
fourteen. Since then he has progressed and enhanced his
passion for teaching, motivating, and learning. Rob has
served as a Head Coach as well as various other positions
within organizations and clubs throughout the
Midwest. During his career, he has experience through the full
spectrum of talent, from novice
beginners to athletes competing at the national level. No
matter the ability, Rob takes great pride in getting young athletes
excited about the sport that he loves. He brings a fresh, new
approach to swimming and all it has to offer.
Rob graduated from the University of
Wisconsin, Green Bay where he was a 4 year Division 1 athlete,
serving as team captain his senior year. Rob finished his athletic
career with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Minor in Human
Development. He has recently expanded his education by
pursuing a Master's Degree in Kinesiology. For additional
hands-on experience, outside of the pool, Rob also
completed two Sports Performance Internships, one with
the University of Minnesota and one with Northwestern
University. Rob has a unique way of combining all he has learned
both as an athlete as well as with his academic and fieldwork.
He applies this experience and knowledge with the goal to
make each swimmer faster, stronger, healthier, and better
athletes as a whole.
Along with his work with NTA, Rob also
works as a Strength Coach for New Trier High School. Outside
of work, Rob enjoys playing a variety of sports with friends and
family as well as travel.
Tyler Hines
Strength and Conditioning
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Tyler comes to NTA with a strength and conditioning background. He
Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from University of
Kentucky in 2016 where he majored in Kinesiology. While in Kentucky
Tyler worked with a wide variety of athletes; from middle schoolers
just starting off, to players training for NFL combine. Following
graduation Tyler became certified with the NSCA as a Certified
Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and completed an
internship with Northwestern Sports Performance program. As well as
training NTA athletes, Tyler works with Loyola Academy’s
girls and boys swim teams.
Kristen Tanakatsubo
Yoga Instructor
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2nd year at New Trier Aquatics
15+ years of coaching and Yoga Instruction
Kristen comes to us as an active instructor at CorePowerYoga at
Old Orchard and private figure skating instructor. She uses her
background in independent athletics as well as body balance
awareness and mental training and coaching for athletes.
