COACH CHERI ZIMDARS
Head Coach/President
1995-Present (on staff since 1991)
Cheri coaches and oversees the running of the club. She is the main contact for all things J-Hawk.
Coach Cheri started swimming at the age of 7 and has loved the sport ever since. Her family moved to Whitewater, in 1976. There was no swim team in Whitewater, so they drove to Janesville and joined the Janesville YMCA team. There wasn't high school swimming, either, so Coach Cheri ran cross country and would swim morning practices at the university pool. Swimming was her passion and still is. Through hard work and the guidance of an outstanding coach (Coach D), she won state titles, finaled at Y nationals and competed at Junior Nationals. She continued her swimming at the University of Illinois. After college, Cheri joined her Mom, Coach D, as an assistant coach for the Janesville YMCA until 1991, when Coach D started the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. In 1995, Cheri took over as Head Coach and President. During that time, she had the privilege to coach kids of all abilities. She's very proud to have coached and developed WIAA state qualifiers and champions, Club state champions and record holders, Junior national qualifiers and champions, 3 Olympic Trial qualifiers and 2 that became top 8 finishers (Emily McClellan placed 6th in 2012, and Bridgette Alexander, placed 8th in 2016).
No club program in the area has ever had an Olympic Trials finalist, let alone 2, except UW-Madison.
She loves helping kids achieve their dreams, whether they are going for a personal goal time or shooting for the Olympics.
Cheri splits her time between Whitewater and Janesville from Sept through May, then coaches the 13&Over swimmers everyday at Rockport while coaching in the evening at Whitewater, in the summer months.
COACH D (aka Joan Domitrz)
Started the J-Hawks in 1991
Our Stroke Technician Guru/Consultant
Coach D has been coaching since 1977. She is an oustanding stroke technician. She learned how to swim at the age of 29 years old and soon afterwards became a national masters swimmer. Coach D started coaching at the Janesville YMCA, developing many national qualifiers and a national YMCA champion. She has coached several Para-Olympians during that time, as well. In 1989, she doubled up, coaching both the YMCA and UW-Whitewater. In 1991, she started the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. Coach D continued to develop state qualifiers and champions (WIAA and club) and national qualifiers (both NCAA and club). She stepped away from college coaching to help Whitewater HS continue to have a boys swim team. Coach D coached HS boys for 7 years, where she developed the school's first state swimming champions. Throughout her college and high school coaching years, she continued to work with the J-Hawks, which she is still currently doing. She is a master stroke technician and works wherever help is needed on the team.
COACH DEREK SCHNEIDER
Former J-Hawk swimmer, now a J-Hawk Coach
Coach Derek is a J-Hawk alum, coming up through our program, as an age group swimmer. He swam for Janesville Craig HS, and competed for Carthage College and UW-Whitewater. Derek was a high level swimmer, qualifying for the WIAA state meet and USA Speedo Sectionals. In college, he was conference champion. He is the Head Girls coach and the Head Boys' Coach at Parker HS. He has developed several WIAA state qualifiers. Derek is great to have on deck as he understands the importance of stroke technique, while building endurance. Derek coaches the 12&Unders at Janesville Parker, during the winter, and helps coach the 13&Over swimmers, at Rockport, during the summer.
COACH ERIC RHODES
Coaching for 16+ years
Coach Eric was Coach Cheri's age group teammate. He also swam for the Janesville YMCA. Eric is the energy of swimming in the Janesville community. He coached and helped run the South Central Swim Team for over 16 years. He was the Head Coach for Parker HS Boys (20+ years) and developed many state qualifiers. He also helped coach the Parker girls. He loves to learn and wants to see kids improve and achieve their goals. He loves swimming and the city of Janesville. Eric loves coaching our Mini-Hawks at Franklin MS.
COACH BRIANNA ZIMDARS
Former J-Hawk, now a J-Hawk Coach
Brianna started coaching in the Fall of 2020. She was a J-Hawk club swimmer, starting in age group. She took a break, then returned to club swim while in high school. She competed at WIAA State and made the podium her senior year. She is a J-Hawk national relay swimmer. Brianna served as the UW-Whitewater team captain for 3 years and will be finishing her Masters degree in the Fall of 2025. She has a great connection to our swimmers and loves teaching kids to love the sport and have fun.
COACH ADDY BIANCHI
Former J-Hawk, now J-Hawk Coach
Addy came through our program as a club swimmer and has several years of coaching experience, starting while she was in college. Addy coached for 3 years Tosa HS. She also coached at Fort Atkinson Swim Team before returning home to the J-Hawks, in the Fall of 2024. Addy is a great addition to the club. She loves getting kids excited to work hard. She coaches our Juniors and Seniors at Parker HS.
COACH SIERRA RHODES
Sierra joined our staff in April of 2025. Sierra has an extensive background through HS, club and collegiate swimming, both as an athlete and as a coach. She is a Craig HS state qualifier. In college, Sierra was a D2 athlete competing in the distance events for Delta State. She competed all 4 years before becoming a Grad Assistant Coach while she earned her Masters degree. After she graduated, she was the Assistant Coach at Nova Southeastern. During her tenure there, the team won 3 NCAA Division II Women's Titles. We are excited to have Sierra on staff. She will be coaching our Seniors at Parker HS. The kids are loving her coaching style and workouts.
COACH SOMMER RHODES
Sommer started coaching in January of 2024. She has a similar athletic experience as Sierra (yes, they are sisters and Coach Eric's daughters). Sommer is a WIAA State qualifier for Craig HS. In college, she competed for Delta State in the distance events. Sommer really cares about the kids and wants to see them succeed. She coaches our Juniors and Seniors at Parker HS.
COACH ASHLEY MORTIMER
Ashley started coaching in September of 2023. She is always learning and focusing on being the best coach for all our athletes. Ashley is a wonderful addition to our staff and brings a positive presence and motivation to our athletes. She loves to focus on technique with the Junior 1 athletes and absolutely loves seeing her swimmers' improvements throughout the season. Ashley coaches at Parker HS during the winter and UWW during the summer.
COACH GAVIN BARTELS
Former J-Hawk, now J-Hawk Coach
Gavin came through our club, as an age group swimmer. He is now attending UW-Whitewater and coaching at our UWW site. Gavin loves learning about the sport and wants to see our athletes work hard and improve. Gavin coaches all the groups at UW-Whitewater (covers wherever help is needed).
COACH MIRANDA ROELING
Miranda started coaching in the Fall of 2024. She works with our Junior 1 swimmers at Franklin MS. She loves to see our younger swimmers improve and set bigger goals for themselves. Her focus is to transition our Junior 1 athletes into the Junior 2 group.
