Get to know our coaching staff:

Coach Melissa McGlothen 

Melissa McGlothen's involvement with the sport of swimming started at the early age of 4 where she quickly developed a passion for the sport.  She swam age group here in the Kanawha Valley and competed at all levels from summer league to Senior Nationals.  Through the years of age group swimming she was fortunate to be a state champion and record holder.  She was a Southern Zone champion in two events, a Y National Champion, Junior National Champion and participated in Senior Nationals.  During high school, she helped George Washington capture three state championships while earning Automatic All American honors all three years.

Her passion for the sport lead her to earning a scholarship from University of Kentucky where she represented the Wildcats at four Division 1 NCAA Championships and earned honorable Mention All-American distinction.  The highlight of her swimming career was qualifying and competing in three events at the 2000 Olympic Trials where her top finish was 18^th! 

After graduation she married Kevin and transitioned from a swimmer to parent of swimmers as her two children are developing their own love for the sport.  Over the past five years she has found a new joy for swimming as a coach, encouraging swimmers to reach their goals and become strong teammates.  It is her pleasure to share her passion and experience with the next generation of swimmers in the Kanawha Valley!

Outside of the pool, Melissa is a third grade teacher at Overbrook Elementary entering her 16^th year.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering for her Kentucky Wildcats, and reading a good book when she can!  Traveling to the beach and Disney World are her favorite places, but there is nothing better than the New River Gorge area!

Coach Rob St. Jean

Rob has spent the better part of 5 decades in and around the pool.  From summer league to year round swimming at the Parkersburg YMCA to Division I swimming at Ohio University.   Numerous honors: Y team records, Southern Zones finalist, WV state champion,  YMCA national finalist.   Collegiate honors: senior national qualifier,  MAC conference champion, multiple school record holder,  team co-captain 2 years, 4 yr letterman.  Most recently, Rob has enjoyed success with open water swimming and triathlons.  He was the fastest swimmer out of the water at the 2017 Ironman 70.3 Wilmington NC, beating 1,800 adults on the 1.2 mile swim.

Robs desire to help others enjoy swimming led him to begin coaching again in 2008.  All ages are fun and challenging.  When he’s not coaching age group swimmers he loves to help his fellow triathletes with the swimming discipline.  It’s incredibly satisfying to see big improvements from his peers. When the swim teams have adequate coaching on deck, Rob enjoys jumping in with the swim team and tries to complain as little as possible with the grueling workouts.  What a challenge it is to keep up with the youngsters!  

Along with part time coaching, Rob enjoys keeping their real estate mgt business afloat. Rob, his wife Becky, and children Wes, Katie, and Jake enjoy a good bit of traveling. They have 3 dogs- one small WV black and brown dog, and 2 standard poodles that Rob attempts to groom in his spare time. Mixed results there.  A few other interests include: Coffee roasting, paddle boarding, road and mountain biking.

Rob looks forward to helping swimmers reach their goals.