Coaches
Coaches
Jay has been coaching at Missoula Aquatic Club since 2014. He got his start coaching the Pre-Team at Palm Springs Aquatics in 2005. Since becoming Head Coach at Missoula Aquatic in 2016 Jay has coached Olympic Trials qualifiers, 18&U National Champions, a World University Games Gold Medalist. He is a 3 time USA Swimming National Team Coach and was a part of the coaching staff for USA’s Junior Pan Pacific team in 2018. Jay coaches the Senior and National groups and assists at all levels of the team.
Jay graduated from Fresno Pacific University with a degree in Communications. As a swimmer, Jay was a member of two NAIA National Runner up and two NAIA National Championship teams. He was a 4 time All-American and 12 times Honorable Mention All-American.
Kate grew up in Minnesota swimming, skiing, and running. She has always loved being outside and now helps others stay curious about the natural world at the Montana Natural History Center as a Teaching Naturalist. Kate is looking forward to helping the MAC teams excel in their swimming goals!
Originally from Washington State, I started swimming competitively
in 2006 when I was seven years old and have been in the sport ever
since, swimming club and in High School. After graduating High
School, I swam for DII Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction,
CO. I swam with the Mavericks for 3 years, then took an
assistant coach position in my senior year. During my time
coaching, I was a part of a CMU team that saw the Men’s and
Women’s each win their 3rd straight team RMAC (Rocky Mountain
Athletic Conference) titles. Following RMAC’s I served dual
role as an assistant coach and the THO (Team Health Officer) at the
2021 NCAA DII National Championship Meet in Birmingham,
AL.
I moved to Missoula in June 2021 to attend the University of
Montana and pursue a Master’s degree in Applied Physiology.
My goals as a coach are to help each athlete I work with realize
their potential and understand how to achieve the goals they set
for themselves, not just in the water but in their everyday lives
as well. Some activities I enjoy are hiking, camping, and playing a
variety of sports.
Karl joined MAC in October of 2020, having returned to Missoula after spending 25 years in Seattle. Born and raised in Missoula, he swam for MAC from age 6 to 18. His father, Frederick Stetson, formalized MAC in 1962, managed the Grizzly Pool and all of its aquatic programs, and coached the University of Montana men's and women's swim teams.
In 2017 Karl began volunteer coaching with the Vashon Seals in the Seattle area, where he also served as the board president. During his swimming career, he specialized in sprinting and was a multi-time Montana state champion in the 50 and 100 freestyle, breaststroke, and butterfly.
Malia's favorite stroke is Butterfly, her memorable swim moments are making states in Colorado. Her favorite food is seaweed, and she is super excited to be on deck with MAC. She likes Piehole Pizza , and she has a rodeo horse named Penny. She will be helping coach the Silver Squad!
Born and raised in Missoula, Darragh recently returned home after 5 years in Denver completing his bachelor’s degree in computer science and competing for DU’s varsity swim team. Darragh is excited to return as a coach to the club that helped him reach his goals as a swimmer. He hopes to provide a fun, safe environment to help each swimmer be the best they can.
Bio: Raegan is from Great Falls, MT and grew up swimming for both the Great Falls Rapids and CMR High School. She is attending the University of Montana studying geoscience. When not in school or coaching she enjoys being outside and hiking, running, and skiing.
Avery Slaughter is from Great Falls, Mt and graduated this year. She attends the university of Montana and is studying to a Radiological Technician. Her favorite stroke was freestyle, and her favorite food is definitely pasta. She loves to hike, and eat he downtown with friends. Fun fact, she's played soccer since she was 4. She is so excited to coach, and am super thankful to get this opportunity.