Swimming and Diving
Swim Teams

First Day of Season
november 30
Schedule
Winter 2026 Schedule
Coaches

John Barnes
Varsity Head Coach
jbarnes@cadets.com

Rick Stevson
Varsity Assistant Coach
rstevson@cadets.com

Dave Dow
Varsity Assistant Coach
Barnes Bio
Years of Experience: 35 years
High School attended: Hinsdale
College and Major: Drury Fun
A fun fact about yourself: Needed pool time
Family: Ann married 36 years, Tyler 33 and Ryan STA '15 (27)
Purpose Statement:
John has been the STA's Head Coach since 1998.
John has been coaching since 1985.
He is also the Director of Community Engagement and Special Projects at Saint Thomas Academy.
Coaching highlights:
2025 NISCA National Service Coaching Award
2021 Inductee into the Hinsdale South Foundation Hall of Fame
2018 NHSACA National Swimming Coach of the Year
ASCA level 5 Coach
7 Olympic Trial Qualifiers
15 National Qualifiers
32 Junior National Qualifiers
24 High School All Americans
2 World University Game Gold Medalists
High School Dual Meet record 190-13-1
15 State Championship Teams 14 at STA 1 at Minnetonka HS (The most State Swimming Championships in the History of Minnesota High School Swimming)
1996,2013 2014 2015 2016 MN High School Coach of the Year.
1991 MN ASCA Age Group Coach of the year
Swimming Highlights
John was a 4-time high school All-American and a 12-time college All-American.
John has been married to Ann since 1988 and they have two children, Tyler and Ryan.
Stevson Bio
Years of Experience: 34+ years
High School attended: Bloomington Kennedy
College and Major: Normandale Community College (AA, focus on Finance)
Why Saint Thomas Academy? The sense of family, togetherness, and loyalty from the student, to the teachers, the alumni, and the families!
A fun fact about yourself: I'm an introvert and I enjoy wilderness.
Family: Married to Sharon, we have a son Alex '13.

Bernie Zeruhn
Varsity Assistant Coach

Steve Rosga
Strength and Conditioning Coach

Cole Hartwigsen
Athletic Trainer
Rosga Bio
Years of Experience: 24 years
High School attended: Cretin-Derham Hall
College and Major: University of Colorado, Boulder - Communication Major
Why Saint Thomas Academy? Over the years I had trained over 300 Cadets and was always impressed with the way they carried themselves and how they talked about their school and the 'Brotherhood'.
The opportunity to bring my background in athletics and fitness to these young men and be a part of that Brotherhood was a perfect fit for me and my family.
A fun fact about yourself: Along with being an All-State athlete in 3 sports, I was a first chair trumpet player in high school.
Family: My wife Brianna, she graduated from Kansas where she played soccer for the Jayhawks. My daughters are Cianna and Louis and my son Vincent
Purpose Statement: Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up knowing it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or a gazelle, when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.
Hartwigsen Bio
Years of Experience: 14 years
High School attended: Chaska High School
College and Major: UW-Eau Claire BS in Athletic Training and University of Illinois MS of Kinesiology
Why Saint Thomas Academy? The student lead experience and the drive and mentorship towards excellence in all of its forms.
A fun fact about yourself: Despite being widely used in medicine I can not stand the tactile sensation of cotton balls
Family: Wife Meagan, Daughter Quinn, and soon to be new addition
Team Calendar
STA Swim & Dive Philosophy
STA Swimming is based on these 3 simple principles
1. Family
2. School
3. Swimming
Every swimmer has the opportunity to reach his full potential. The Academy swim & dive culture develops “possible” to “certain.” Hard, smart work is the cornerstone, and doing more than seems necessary becomes a habit.
