Med-City Coaches

Billy Howard, Head Coach

Billy Howard took on the position of Med City Aquatics Head Coach for a second time in March of 2010. He came back to the Team after a taking an unplanned, but very much needed, sabbatical from Coaching. During Billy's previous four years with Med City, the Team grew from the mid-80's to over 140 athletes, produced swimmers ranging from beginners who fell in love with the sport to US Open qualifiers, and completely rewrote the Team record book.

Billy is married to Christine, and they are blessed with five beautiful chidren -- Caitlynn, Donovan, Annika, Mara, and Sasha, plus two children lost through miscarriage - Addison and Simeon. Billy and Chris met while attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, from which Billy graduated in 1997 with a B. A. Degree in Psychology. His minors were business, math, and political science. Christine is a proud stay-at-home Mom who keeps busy working for the church and keeping track of the children and Billy.

Billy’s swimming background began when he joined the local YMCA team in McCook, NE. While swimming with the YMCA team, he earned many state championships and All-State recognition. During his high school years he swam for the McCook Bison, becoming the first Conference record holder from his school in over 15 years. Next, Billy walked on with the University of Nebraska Cornhusker Swim Team, but a nagging shoulder injury forced him to give up competing after his freshman year.

During his career, Billy has worked with athletes from beginners to National Top 16 Age Group swimmers to a swimmer who tied for 16th place at the US World Championship Trials meet. He is certified as a Level IV Coach with the American Swim Coaches Association, with his educational requirements for Level V already documented. He also maintains current lifeguarding, CPR, and First Aid certifications through the American Red Cross.

Jessica Koepp, Assistant Coach, Swim School Director

Jessica graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Kinesiology and a coaching minor.  She was a club, high school, and college swimmer.  During the fall, she helped out with the Mayo H.S. girls swimming and diving team. She had also taught swim classes for community education. Jessica is also the coordinator for our CHAMPION swim school.

Logan Petzold, Assistant Coach

Logan swam for Hamline University in St. Paul where she graduated with a double major in Psychology and English. She went on to earn her MS in School Counseling from UW - River Falls. Logan coached for the Great Wolf swim club as well as for the Centennial High School girls swim team before moving to Rochester.

Kris Koepp, Assistant Coach

Kris grew up in Louisiana and swam 12 years for Hurricane Swim Club under coach Ed Kelly. He swam 4 years for Mandeville High School and lettered all 4 yrs. He received a scholarship to swim for Delta State University where he swam for Coach Ronnie Meyers and Brian Hein. While swimming for Delta State he was an NCAA Div. II 5 time All American and 2 time All American consideration. Kris was also Team captan his senior year. His best strokes growing up were Butterfly and Backstroke. While attending Delta State he coached Delta Aquatic Club, PDS middle school, and Cleveland High School swim team. He graduated with a bachelors degree in Business Management. He competes as a Masters swimmer, enjoys triathlons and working on bikes.

Sue Bass, Assistant Coach

Sue grew up in River Falls, WI. She attended Rochester Community College where she received her Associate Degree in Nursing. Sue is a certified lifeguard and has been involved with club swimming since 2000. She is also the owner of The Soap Bar in Rochester.

Sydney Kuramoto, Assistant Coach

Sydney grew up in Rochester, MN and swam for Med-City Aquatics during its inaugural season. She has been a part of the Med-City family for a long time and was an athlete with MCA through her senior year at John Marshall High School where she also swam for four years. Sydney attended the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN where she received her B.S. in Biology and continues her career for four more years. Sydney has been a swim school instructor in the past for Med-City Aquatics and has also coached many summer seasons as well. In the fall Sydney will be attending the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN to pursue her master’s degree in Public Health.