Coach Howard Hunte was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL, in 2000, where he swam under Hall of Fame Coach Jack Nelson (FLST) and Coach Duffy Dillon (FLA).

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Fairmont State University in West Virginia in 2006, followed by a Master of Science degree in Athletic Coaching Education from West Virginia University in 2008.

Hunte began his coaching career in 2003 as an assistant coach for the Fairmont Area Swim Team (FAST) while still an undergraduate. In 2006, he was promoted to head coach, a role he held through 2007. He also served as an assistant coach for the West Virginia Southern Zone Team in 2005 and 2006. While pursuing his master’s degree, he interned in Strength and Conditioning for West Virginia University Athletics, working with the football, rowing, and soccer teams.

In 2008, Hunte was named the Head Coach for the Men’s and Women’s Swim Teams at Valparaiso University, a Division I program, where he led the team for nine seasons. Under his leadership, the VU swim program saw remarkable success, with his swimmers breaking nearly every school record. The men’s team set records in 13 of 14 individual events and all five relay events since the start of the 2008–2009 season. Meanwhile, the women’s team established 12 new individual and three new relay records during his tenure.

In 2017, Hunte was appointed Assistant Coach and Director of the Swim School at Topeka Swimming Association in Topeka, Kansas. He coached the 12-and-under swimmers and developed the swim school program, training coaches within the organization. In the fall of 2020, he was named Interim Head Coach, tasked with navigating the program through the challenges of the pandemic. Later that season, he was officially named Head Coach, where he developed multiple Futures qualifiers, Sectionals qualifiers, and high school state champions while expanding and strengthening the program.

In September 2024, Coach Hunte became the Head Coach of the Rec-Plex Sharks in St. Peters, Missouri. This marks an exciting new chapter in his career, as he is dedicated to developing young athletes and helping them reach their full potential both in and out of the water. He is eager to take on new challenges and drive the program to new heights.

Dylan grew up in Claremore, Oklahoma, which is a smaller town about 45-minutes outside of Tulsa.  As a kid he was into all types of sports, but he says that, “swimming is what stuck out to him.”  As a child he developed his love for competitive swimming as a member of the Green Country Swim Club.  He quickly realized that he had found his passion and was also able to be successful through his hard work.

As he entered his freshman year of high school, he not only started his high school swimming career, but he also had the opportunity to join the Trident Aquatics Swim Team.  Trident Aquatics is a premier club in NE Oklahoma and it allowed Dylan to get the training needed to exceed at the club and high school levels.  Those successes and accolades provided the recognition that led to his recruitment by many college coaches.  We are lucky that his college decision (Lindenwood University) brought him to the St. Louis area and eventually as a member of our coaching staff. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Age Group Swimming | Trident Aquatics Swim Club

• Sectional Qualifier
• Jr. Nationals Qualifier
• Futures Qualifier
• Elected to be an Athlete Representative in Swimming for the state of Oklahoma

High School Swimming | Claremore High School

• Freshman Year:
  • Placed in the Top 4 at State for the 500 Freestyle & 100 Backstroke
• Sophomore Year:
  • 200 IM - State Champion!
  • 100 Backstroke – State Champion!
• Junior Year:
  • 200 IM - State Champion!
  • 100 Backstroke – State Champion!
  • Nominated for Swimmer of the Year | Class 5A – Oklahoma HS Swimming
• Senior Year:
  • Placed in the Top 3 at State for the 200 IM & 100 Backstroke

Collegiate Swimming | Lindenwood University

During his college career, Lindenwood Univ. was NCAA Div. II for his first 3-years and they moved up to NCAA Div. I for his Senior year.

• Swam the:  100 Back, 200 Back, 200 IM & 400 IM all 4-years at the Conference Championship Meet
• Made Finals at the Conference Championship Meet for the 200 Backstroke & 400 IM.
• Academic All - Great Lakes Valley Conference(GLVC) Selection
• Dean’s List at Lindenwood University
• Performed the most Community Service hours amongst his teammates during his Senior year.
• Degrees Earned:
  • Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Master of Business Administration

Coach Jessilyn (Jess) was a swimmer for 14 years, 4 of those years as a swimmer for the Rec Plex Sharks. Her favorite events were distance events - 200 and 500 yards.  Jess attended Missouri State University where she received a BS in Athletic Training and a Masters in Health Administration.  She currently works at Washington University in the surgical education department as a Program Coordinator.  When Jess isn't coaching she enjoys spending time with her 2 year old miniature goldendoodle named Stewart.

Coach Sarah has been around pools and coaching in some capacity for almost 20 years. She spent several years coaching and instructing swimmers of all ages with the YMCA and City of Clayton, then later coaching with CSP Tideriders. Currently she spends her summers and school year with the Muirfield Marlins, and Francis Howell Boys Swim & Dive

Sarah is married, with two kids, Aaron & Aidan. She spends her days teaching math in the Parkway School District working with students kindergarten through 5th grade. Sarah enjoys being a hockey mom, as well as swim mom. She also loves the great outdoors and photography.