STA Announces Swim & Dive Head Coach Promotions

April 10, 2024

The STA athletics department is pleased to announce the promotion of coaches as co-head coaches for the swim & dive program.

Paul Winkeler has just completed his third season as an STA assistant coach in the swim & dive program. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. He serves as the Rockhurst High School head swim coach, freshman baseball coach, Kairos director, and moderator of the hockey program.

Additionally, Paul was recently honored as the Missouri State High School Activities Association 2023-2024 Coach of the Year during his tenure as head coach for Rockhurst High School’s boys swim and dive team.

Paul has 25 years of academic experience at Rockhurst High School, including his role as chair of the science department and previously taught at STA in the Science Department. Paul is eager to continue his contributions to the STA community.

Abby Jelavich, affectionately known as “Coach J,” wraps up her fourth season as STA’s assistant swim coach. From 2019-2023, Abby served as a college counselor at STA, and also took on roles as an assistant golf coach and moderator for the GSA and National Honor Society.

Abby is currently the senior manager of graduate admissions for University of Missouri – Kansas City, and holds degrees from Missouri State University and the University of San Francisco. Abby is an active Sisters of St. Joseph Associate (CSJA).

STA athletic director, Kat Williams, expressed her excitement: “I am thrilled that Paul and Abby have stepped into the roles of head coach for swim and dive. Their expertise complements each other, forming a powerful duo. Swim and dive is a unique sport with several moving parts, and utilizing both coaches will undoubtedly lead to great improvements for the team.”