Coaches

Coaches 

Coaching Staff
Jay Friend Head Coach

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.

Sarah Wood Senior Coach
Sarah grew up swimming and exploring the wilds of California with her family, which nurtured a love of physical activity and outdoor spaces that continues to this day. She moved to Missoula to attend UM's environmental studies graduate program and has been here ever since! When she's not coaching or supervising the Yellowstone program at Ecology Project International, Sarah can be found trail running, riding her bike, swimming, or baking some sort of tasty treat.
Kate Folkman Senior Coach

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! 

Tarek Farouk Gold Coach

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.

Jenell Roberson Gold Coach
Jenell is a new member of the MAC coaching team. Originally from Buford, Georgia, she was a high school swimmer, and swimming since a young age. Coach Jenell was involved with swimming in Georgia through the North Georgia Swim League.  Coach Jenell held multiple positions with the Stingray Swim Team, such as executive board member, swim and stroke official, and assistant and head coach. Jenell has two boys, Nick (20) and Travis (16) who both grew up swimming for the Stingrays, but are mostly found on the lacrosse field. 
 
Jenell is teaches Physical Education and Health at Big Sky High School, as well as serving as an assistant coach for the Missoula County High School Swim Team. She has taught school for 15 years and is working on a masters in athletic administration. Jenell is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism. Her goals for swimmers: work hard, improve skill and technique, and be successful, not just swimming, but in everything you do in life, but first and foremost... be happy and have fun! 
Karl Stetson Silver Coach

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. 

 
Karl's passion for swimming revolves around stroke mechanics and helping kids reach their goals – whatever they might be. “Coaching is the best part of my day, and it's an honor to be involved in the team. I have so many fond memories of being a MAC swimmer, watching my dad coach, and it means the world to me to help continue building the legacy of this organization.”

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 Braden Silver Coach

 

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! 

 

Darragh Mahns Bronze and Silver Coach

 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.

Raegan Osentowski Bronze Coach

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 Bronze Coach

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.