Caty, an ASCA level 4 coach (level 5 educated), started her swimming career in Montana beginning with the Bozeman synchronized swimming team then moving onto the Bozeman Hawks and Bozeman Barracudas after discovering her love of competitive swim team. At the age of 16 she became undefeated in Montana in the 50 and 100 free until she retired from swimming. Caty competed at Zones, Senior Regionals, Junior Nationals and the U.S Open. Caty swam for Southern Illinois University and swam in the finals in the Missouri Valley Conference Championships in the 50, 100, and 200 free as well as being on multiple MVC winning relays, with her highest finish being second place in the 200 free. She graduated from SIU with a B.A. in psychology.

Caty began her coaching career as an assistant coach with the Bozeman Brookies and helped begin our 12&U program. She moved into the head coach position in April of 2016 and has overseen the growth of the team from 20 kids to over 90. Caty was selected to be a senior zones coach for Team Montana in 2017. Since Caty has become the head coach the Brookies have produced one 2020 Olympic Trials qualifier, (Catherine Russo), one futures qualifier (and winner of the 100 fly), two sectional and regional qualifiers, five zones qualifiers, and grown our state qualifying team to 26. The Brookies have broken Montana State records as well as setting new Brookies records in the majority of our events every season.

Molly began her competitive swimming career at the age of 11 with Falls Aquatic Swim Team in Great Falls, MT. She quickly found a knack for the sport, especially in the 100 and 200 backstroke. She later enjoyed four incredible years of swimming for Charles M. Russell High School, a unique experience where, instead of rivaling the other high school, they swam as one collective team. Here, she gained valuable life lessons and several friendships that will last a lifetime. Having this experience also led her to continue her swimming career in the form of coaching, in hopes to inspire young swimmers in the way that her coaches once did. Molly found success swimming the 100 backstroke, breaststroke, and 200 IM for her high school team.

Molly is currently working on her undergrad at Montana State University studying Secondary Education with a strong focus in the areas of history and government and is ecstatic to be living in Bozeman soaking up all the fabulous outdoor activities the area has to offer. Molly loves working with young swimmers and is thrilled to be apart of the BMA Brookies!

Kaija grew up in Wisconsin and started competitively swimming at the age of six with the Eau Claire YMCA Marlins. She quickly grew to love breaststroke and 100 IM becoming very successful in these events. When she was older she swam for her high school team in the fall and club team during the winter and summer. In high school, Kaija was academic all-conference two years and a varsity letter winner all four years of high school. In her later years, she was a distance freestyler as well as 200 IM, and 100 Breaststroke. Her dad is the diving coach for her high school team, and he taught her everything she knows about coaching swimming and diving. Aside from swimming, Kaija competitively skied and danced for as long as she has swam.

Kaija is attending Montana State University and planning on majoring in Environmental Design/Architecture. Kaija is continuing her swimming career with the club team at MSU. She is excited to be a part of the BMA Brookies, and can’t wait to watch these swimmers grow!

Andrew, a Bozeman native, has been swimming competitively since the age of 12. He swam for the Bozeman Barracudas, Bozeman High School, and the BMA Brookies.

Throughout the years he swam nearly every event, however in highschool he specialized in the 50 and 100 freestyle, as well as the 200 IM his senior year. He was Academic All-State his sophomore through his senior year, as well as being varsity captain his senior year. Along with swimming, Andrew played American Legion Baseball with the Bozeman Bucks from 8th Grade until he graduated highschool.

Andrew is currently studying sociology with a concentration in criminology at the University of Montana, with hopes to be a Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputy after graduating.

Go Griz!

Kris enjoys volunteering to serve Bozeman Brookies athletes as a back-up coach on deck. Kris has been a USA Swimming certified coach since 2007. She has been an ASCA certified level 2 coach since 2010 and obtained ASCA level 3 (education) certification in 2014. She has been coaching Special Olympics Aquatics (Bozeman Outreach Bobcats) since 2012, holding Special Olympics level I & II sport training coach certifications. Kris is a certified USA Swimming Official, officiating at club & high school meets since 2010. She served on the executive board of Montana Swimming LSC as the Age Group Chair/Zones Coordinator. Kris spearheads planning and coaching BMA Brookies'  Diversity Latino Splash Camps, helping kids learn to swim and progress in swimming skills to become members of our swim team.

Kris ran cross-country in high school & coached for Bozeman Track Club. She has competed in XTERRA and MSU triathlons. Kris enjoys enjoys mountain-biking, snow-boarding, skiing, and recently snorkeled 7 days with Humbpack whales! 

Kris holds a degree in Business Finance from the University of Colorado and has completed some International Business graduate coursework at Arizona State University, West. She worked for Shell Oil and Honeywell in accounting and finance. Kris and her husband founded and manage Hall Controls, Inc., an engineering consulting company serving clients worldwide for over 25 years.