Coach Winkeler Named National Coach of the Year

We are incredibly proud to announce that Paul Winkeler, Rockhurst Swim & Dive Head Coach, was named the NFHS 2022-23 National Coach of the Year for boys swim & dive! These is only one recipient in the country each year for this honor.

Coach Wink is recognized for leading the AquaHawks to a Missouri-record 422 points at the State Meet in 2022. The team followed that up in 2023 by winning a fourth consecutive State Title and 15th in program history, the most by any Missouri school. All 15 have come since 2005 and under the leadership of Coach Wink, who took over the program in 1999 and has coached during two stints (1999-2014 and 2018-current).

"This award reaches far beyond me and my work as a coach. There are so many people who have contributed to our program who have helped build it to where it is today," remarked Coach Winkeler. "I'm excited for our student-athletes, their families, the alumni of the community, and the entire Rockhurst Community. I feel so much gratitude for each and every individual."

In Coach Wink's 22 seasons as head coach, Rockhurst Swim & Dive has had 79 All-Americans, 77 Academic All-Americans, 44 individual/relay State Champions, and currently holds nine state records.