Joe Dykstra, a 16-year head coach veteran, was named Head Coach of Seattle University's men's and women's swimming programs on July 1, 2022.
In his first season, Coach Dykstra came in and saw immediate success with the team. In the 2022-23 season, the Redhawks set 26 new top-ten performances in school history, and the women set 23 new top-ten performances. On the men side, Nicholas Imig set the school record in the 100 Free (44.36) at the Husky Invite, as well as the school record in the 50 Free (19.88) at the 2023 WAC Championships in McAllen, Texas. Cole Lanting and Jaxon Gonzales also set school records at the WAC Championships, with Gonzales setting the record in the 200 Breast (1:57.83) and Lanting in the 200 IM (1:48.95). The performance from Gonzales placed him fifth overall at the meet, earning him All-WAC Second Team honors. The men had four athletes (Gonzales, Imig, Lanting, Ryan) qualify to the National Invite Championships in Elkhart, Indiana, where Ryan, Gonzales, and Lanting all broke the school record in the 100 IM, with Lanting leading the way with the new record time of 50.70.
On the women’s side, true freshman Sarah Cook led the way for the team, as she set the school record in the 100 IM (57.71) in the Redhawks dual meet vs. Idaho. Cook also stands second in the 200 Breast (2:14.99), second in the 200 IM (2:02.97), fourth in the 100 Breast (1:02.54), and fourth in the 100 Fly (56.27) in school history in her first year of collegiate swimming. At the WAC Championships, the 200 Medley Relay team of Lydia Genson, Sarah Cook, Isabella Guadiamos, and Sammy Mosier set a new school record of 1:43.90 in the event. Sarah Cook also earned All-WAC Second Team honors in the 200 Breast and 100 Breast, as she placed fourth overall and sixth overall in the events at the meet, respectively. The women’s team had four athletes qualify for the National Invite Championships as well, with Lydia Genson, Sammy Mosier, Sarah Cook, and Maggie Robben representing the Redhawks in Elkhart, Indiana.
Dykstra spent the last nine years at the University of Utah, where he coached 25 CSCAA All-American, including 10 different All-Americans over the last three seasons. In his nine seasons at Utah, Dykstra coached four Pac-12 champions and over 90% of Utah's all-time school record holders.
"I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead the Seattle U swimming programs," said Dykstra. "Seattle is where I got my start in the world of college swimming and I have longed for the opportunity to be back to what I consider home for quite a while. This program has huge potential and I am excited to help unlock that. There is so much that this university, athletic department and city can offer to the development of student athletes. I would like to thank Director of Athletics Shaney Fink and Assistant AD Matt Bomar for their belief in me and I can't wait to get to work in elevating the Redhawk programs and make a difference in the lives of these young people."
During Dykstra's time as the Utes' head coach, Utah earned 79 Scholar All-American honors for academic excellence. The Utes earned the College Swim Coaches Associate of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America Team award for both its men's and women's teams in all nine of Dykstra's years as head coach. Forty swimmers earned Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll this last season as well.
In addition to coaching, Dykstra served as the president of the CSCAA for two years and has served as chairman of the NCAA's Division I Swimming & Diving Committee.
Before coaching at Utah, Dykstra served as the head coach at North Texas for seven years. While there, he was twice honored as the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year, helping the Mean Green send swimmers to the NCAA Championship for the first time in program history. Dykstra also helped the Mean Green lead all of Division I swimming and diving in GPA in the 2011-12 season.
A graduate of the University of Washington, Dykstra spent six years as the associate head coach of the Huskies. Washington finished in the top 25 at the NCAA Championships twice during his time on staff there.
In his first season, Coach Dykstra came in and saw immediate success with the team. In the 2022-23 season, the Redhawks set 26 new top-ten performances in school history, and the women set 23 new top-ten performances. On the men side, Nicholas Imig set the school record in the 100 Free (44.36) at the Husky Invite, as well as the school record in the 50 Free (19.88) at the 2023 WAC Championships in McAllen, Texas. Cole Lanting and Jaxon Gonzales also set school records at the WAC Championships, with Gonzales setting the record in the 200 Breast (1:57.83) and Lanting in the 200 IM (1:48.95). The performance from Gonzales placed him fifth overall at the meet, earning him All-WAC Second Team honors. The men had four athletes (Gonzales, Imig, Lanting, Ryan) qualify to the National Invite Championships in Elkhart, Indiana, where Ryan, Gonzales, and Lanting all broke the school record in the 100 IM, with Lanting leading the way with the new record time of 50.70.
On the women’s side, true freshman Sarah Cook led the way for the team, as she set the school record in the 100 IM (57.71) in the Redhawks dual meet vs. Idaho. Cook also stands second in the 200 Breast (2:14.99), second in the 200 IM (2:02.97), fourth in the 100 Breast (1:02.54), and fourth in the 100 Fly (56.27) in school history in her first year of collegiate swimming. At the WAC Championships, the 200 Medley Relay team of Lydia Genson, Sarah Cook, Isabella Guadiamos, and Sammy Mosier set a new school record of 1:43.90 in the event. Sarah Cook also earned All-WAC Second Team honors in the 200 Breast and 100 Breast, as she placed fourth overall and sixth overall in the events at the meet, respectively. The women’s team had four athletes qualify for the National Invite Championships as well, with Lydia Genson, Sammy Mosier, Sarah Cook, and Maggie Robben representing the Redhawks in Elkhart, Indiana.
Dykstra spent the last nine years at the University of Utah, where he coached 25 CSCAA All-American, including 10 different All-Americans over the last three seasons. In his nine seasons at Utah, Dykstra coached four Pac-12 champions and over 90% of Utah's all-time school record holders.
"I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead the Seattle U swimming programs," said Dykstra. "Seattle is where I got my start in the world of college swimming and I have longed for the opportunity to be back to what I consider home for quite a while. This program has huge potential and I am excited to help unlock that. There is so much that this university, athletic department and city can offer to the development of student athletes. I would like to thank Director of Athletics Shaney Fink and Assistant AD Matt Bomar for their belief in me and I can't wait to get to work in elevating the Redhawk programs and make a difference in the lives of these young people."
During Dykstra's time as the Utes' head coach, Utah earned 79 Scholar All-American honors for academic excellence. The Utes earned the College Swim Coaches Associate of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America Team award for both its men's and women's teams in all nine of Dykstra's years as head coach. Forty swimmers earned Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll this last season as well.
In addition to coaching, Dykstra served as the president of the CSCAA for two years and has served as chairman of the NCAA's Division I Swimming & Diving Committee.
Before coaching at Utah, Dykstra served as the head coach at North Texas for seven years. While there, he was twice honored as the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year, helping the Mean Green send swimmers to the NCAA Championship for the first time in program history. Dykstra also helped the Mean Green lead all of Division I swimming and diving in GPA in the 2011-12 season.
A graduate of the University of Washington, Dykstra spent six years as the associate head coach of the Huskies. Washington finished in the top 25 at the NCAA Championships twice during his time on staff there.