Our BLST coaching staff is dedicated to helping you reach your swimming goals and grow as an individual!

HEAD COACH/PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Melissa Woltz - ELITE, SENIOR

Melissa Woltz is in her sixth year as Head Coach/Program Director of Black Hawk Area Swim Team (BLST). Coach Woltz has developed numerous elite swimmers reaching some of the highest levels of competitive age group swimming including qualifiers and top-16 finishers for Summer Nationals, TYR Pro Series, Junior Nationals, Futures, Sectionals, and Zones championship meets. During her tenure, BLST has seen an abundance of Iowa Swimming state champions in all age divisions, multiple high-point winners, six IASI Sportsmanship & Spirit team awards, and the 2023-2024 IASI Age Group Coaching Staff of the year.  Most recently, BLST finished the 2024-2025 winter season with a third-place team finish at the IASI Short Course championships and a 16th place team finish at the 2025 Speedo Sectional Championships with an impressive squad of fourteen BLST qualifiers.

Coach Woltz is an active member of the swimming community serving on the Iowa Swimming Board of Directors, first as a Governance committee member (2019-current), and later adding Age Group Vice Chair (2021-current) and Age Group committee chair (2021-current) to her resume. She served for IASI as the head coach for Team Iowa at the 14 & Under Central Zone Championships in 2021 and 2022.  Her leadership extends beyond our own club as she continues to provide for our Local Swim Committee (IA LSC) and works for advancement for the sport of swimming.

Melissa is no stranger to a pool having begun her aquatic career as a synchronized swimmer on her mom's team, the Menomonee Falls Dolphinettes (WI), at the age of three. By age 9, she joined the Germantown Seahawks Swim Club (WI) and competed in both sports at the national level all the way through high school.  At age 14, she was a Junior National West champion in the 1650FR, a Scandinavian Open champion for Team USA in synchronized swimming by age 15, ranked in the top ten in the nation (1000FR, 1650FR) by age 15, and a four-time Wisconsin high school state champion upon graduation (200FR, 500FR) before beginning her collegiate career as a Hawkeye.

While at Iowa, Melissa was a multi-time Big Ten All-American selection, 2-time Iowa Female athlete of the year, a 2-time Big Ten Champion (1650FR, 200FL), 3-time NCAA qualifier, and a 2-time NCAA All-American (1500FR, 200FL).  She also competed in the 400FR, 800FR, and 200FL at the 2000 Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, IN.  After earning a BA in graphic design at Iowa, she continued her passion for coaching with the University of Iowa Swim Camps, Iowa City Eels, Arizona State University, Sun Devil Aquatics, University of Northern Iowa, and currently as head coach and program director of the Black Hawk Area Swim Team. 

Residing in Cedar Falls, Melissa and her husband Mike have four children- Mason (16), Maelyn (14), and Madden (9), and Millie (5).  Mason swam for BLST up until high school and now plays football and basketball.  Maelyn and Madden currently swim for BLST and Maelyn helps coach as well.  Millie will surely follow in their footsteps soon!

Erik Pinter, Assistant Coach: GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE, & FOCUS

Erik grew up in Bloomington, IL swimming from a very early age through high school. He went on to complete one full season at Carthage College swimming freestyle. When his college career was cut short due to injury, he turned to coaching to continue his passion for the sport. He started with BLST in 2016. In addition to working with BLST, Erik served as an Assistant Coach for the Cedar Falls High School Girls Swim Team in 2018.

​Erik is the lead coach for our pre-senior training groups. He also assists with Senior and Elite and has shared in many team successes. Erik has helped coach several Iowa Swimming state champions and multiple high-point winners. With his assistance, BLST has received six IASI Sportsmanship & Spirit team awards and were the recipients of the 2023-2024 IASI Age Group Coaching Staff of the year.  

 

 

Scott Priebe, Assistant Coach: GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE

Scott Priebe is beginning his third season with BLST.  He was previously an assistant coach with the Kansas City Blazers swim team and prior to that, he was a head coach for the Riverton Riptide swim team in WY.  Originally from Indiana, Scott served as state FFA president and attended Purdue University graduating with a degree in Ag Economics. Since he grew up on a corn and soybean farm, Future Farmers of America and agriculture have always been a big part of his life. In his spare time, Scott trains for triathalons and completed a full Ironman in 2019.

His son, Parker (12), also swims for BLST.  Scott coaches Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

 

 

 

Chelsea Wall, Assistant Coach: NOVICE

Chelsea is beginning her third season with BLST as our lead Novice coach. She is an Iowa State graduate with a degree in Elementary Education. She started teaching swim lessons for Ames Park and Recreation back in 2012 and continued until 2022 when she was asked to help with the management. Chelsea was quickly promoted to shift leader for the Ames pools in 2019 up until she switched to coaching full time in 2023. She was an assistant coach for ACAC from 2022-2024 coaching the 8&under training group.
 
Chelsea recently moved to Cedar Falls to attend UNI for an second degree in art education. Her goal is to eventually become an art teacher for K - 5 students. She loves working with kids and continues to provide knowledge, leadership, and FUN for our age group swimmers.
 
Chelsea coaches our Novice group and assists with all other groups as needed.
 
 

Jaxon Kaster, Assistant Coach: GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE

Jaxon moved to the Cedar Falls area after finishing his collegiate swimming career at St. Bonaventure University in NY where he was named Atlantic 10 Conference All Academic Student Athlete from 2020-2023. Having spent the majority of his life in and around the pool, he wanted the opportunity to pusue coaching. Jaxon was a volunteer coach and swim instructor with SafeSplash Swim School in Waukee, Iowa and also assisted with lesson scheduling at the new Waukee Natatorium.  

Jaxon is also our team photographer providing team headshots and action photos at our championship meets for social media postings.

Jaxon will be on deck coaching our Gold, Silver, and Bronze training groups.

 

 

Ema Lavigne, Assistant Coach: SILVER, BRONZE

Ema enters her third year coaching with BLST and recently graduated from UNI.  Ema just finished her final year of collegiate swimming as a member of the UNI Women's swim team and is currently ranked in UNI's Top 10 All-time in 100BR and 200BR.  She is also an MVC honor roll student-athlete majoring in marketing advertising and digital media.

Ema will be coaching our Silver and Bronze groups.

 

 

 

 

 

Ella Bobeldyk, Assistant Coach: AG2, AG1

Ella is currently a senior at CFHS and a member of the Cedar Falls Girls' High School swim team where she was a 2023 state qualifier in the 200IM. Ella is also an accomplished member of the CFHS marching band and orchestra.

Ella will be on deck leading our AG1 swimmers.

 

 

 

 

Brady Hartsock, Junior Coach: SILVER

Brady is in his third year coaching with BLST and is currently a junior.  He has taken on a leadership role with our Silver group and is earning valuable coaching experience.  Brady is a member of our 2025 Sectionals team which placed 16th overall (out of 114 teams) and a top-16 finisher at IASI championship meets. He is a high school state qualifer (50FR, 100BR, 200 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay) and a member of the 5th place Cedar Falls High School swim team. 

Brady will be on deck assisting Coach Erik with Silver and Bronze groups as needed.

 

 

 

Lydia Rehmert, Junior Coach: NOVICE

Lydia is currently a junior in high school and a member of the 2024 3rd place Cedar Falls Girls' High School swim team where she was a state qualifier in the 200IM and 500FR.  Lydia is also a member of our 2025 Sectionals team placing 16th overall (out of 114 teams). 

Lydia will be on deck helping with our Novice swimmers.

 

 

 

 

Maelyn Woltz, 'Helper' Coach: AG2, AG1, NOVICE

Maelyn is in her hourth year coaching with BLST and is currently a freshman on the CFHS swim team.  She is always eager to engage with our younger swimmers as a teammate and a mentor while earning valuable coaching experience.  Maelyn, age 14, is already a 29-time IASI Age Group swimming individual champion, a top-3 IASI Short Course champs finisher (1650FR), and a member of our 2025 Sectionals team with a top-8 finish (1650FR).

Maelyn will be on deck assisting with multiple groups as needed.

 

 

 

Ty Hartsock, 'Helper' Coach: Bronze, AG2, AG1, NOVICE

Ty is starting his second year coaching with BLST and is currently a freshman in high school.  Ty is an IASI top-16 finisher, recent Central Zone qualifer, and has such a passion for the sport of swimming.  He loves sharing that passion with our younger swimmers as he encourages and supports each swimmer he works with. 

Ty will be on deck helping with multiple groups as needed.

 

 

 

Corrine Rehmert, 'Helper' Coach: AG2/AG1

Corrine is entering her second season as a BLST coach and currently a freshman on the CFHS swim team.  She is a recent two-time IASI Age Group swimming individual champion and a member of our 2025 Sectionals team placing 16th overall (out of 114 teams). 

Corrine will be on deck helping with our AG1 adn AG2 swimmers.