Vicky Knutsen, Head Coach – has been the head coach of the St. Paul Stars since its inception.  Vicky began this team for her two daughters, Kari and Kelly. For all who know Vicky, it is very clear that this is her passion. She is very caring and focused with the swimmers and gives her best. She has coached this team on to national recognition within the synchro world. It is clear we are growing in ability because of her knowledge of synchro and her desire to see this team do well at all levels. In September 2003 Vicky was awarded the “Totally Awesome Coaches Award” presented at the Twins game. From that award she won the “Coach of the Year.” Vicky works at Harding High School as a physical education teacher and cross-country coach.

Contact Vicky Knutsen: knutva@aol.com telephone 651-470-3223

Amy Herzog – Amy attended the Univ. of Michigan where she swam on their synchronized swimming team. She has a good eye for detail and has many good ideas for building synchro skills. She is now employed by General Mills and yet finds time to coach our team.

Sarah Hendrickson – Sarah wrote: "I swam with the Multomah Athletic Club in Portland, OR for 10 years. Started coaching with the St. Paul Stars after graduating from the Univ. of Oregon in 2002. I currently reside in St. Louis Park, MN. I work for CH Robinson, which is a 3^rd Party Logistics company in Eden Prairie, MN  I am currently the inventory manager of produce for the Wal-Mart account that services all of their Supercenters in the US."

Laura “Low” Winslow – Low was a swimmer with the Stars during her high school years and is back as a coach. She currently swims on the University of Minnesota Synchronized Swimming Team. We are thrilled to have her.

Vicki Pikal, Travelling Coach – Vicki Pikal has been coaching synchro for many years and has a lot of great tools for teaching and encouraging swimmers.  She currently resides in Florida but frequently comes to visit her friend, Vicky Knutsen, and also to coach our team.

Dawn Borgstrom – Dawn currently has two children swimming with the Stars and two younger ones at home just waiting to get in the pool. She was recently trained to be a judge at synchro meets and has also been helping to coach.

Kelly Knutson, Visiting Coach – (see article below)

Junior Coaches – More experienced swimmers on the team frequently assist
the coaches and help the younger swimmers. While leading the busy lives of teen-age athletes, they give their expertise, energy and encouragement.
Junior Coaches rock!

Minnesota synchro first: SPS Head Coach Vicky Knutsen and daughter Kelly, who coaches for the Santa Clara Aquamaids, both brought routines to the National Finals. 

Minnesota Mother-Daughter First at 2004 National Age Group Finals

It's not unusual for a mother-daughter team to coach together for the same synchronized swimming team. One has to look no further than the spectacular work the Jasontek's have done with the Cincinnati Synchrogators. Even our SPS-Synchro Stars boast a mother-daughter coaching combo with Head Coach Vicky Knutson and daughter Kari. It is however unusual to have a mother and daughter coaching two different teams. It's even rarer to have them both bring their teams to the Nationals. In 2004, at the National Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, SPS-Synchro Head Coach Vicky Knutsen and her other daughter Kelly, coaching for the Santa Clara Aquamaids, both qualified their teams and several routines to the finals. They were recognized for their accomplishment during the Championships.

Vicky started the Saint Paul Stars in 1997. It is sponsored by the Saint Paul Community Education Program. For a club this young to have routines even going to the National Championships is quite an accomplishment. SPS-Synchro has now qualified many routines to nationals with three qualifying for the finals.

Vicky's daughter, Kelly Knutsen, left Mounds View High School in her junior year of high school and moved to California to swim with the Santa Clara Aquamaids. The Aquamaids are recognized internationally as one of the top synchronized swimming programs in the world.  She finished her Senior year at Santa Clara High School.  It's a move she hasn't regretted as she became the first native Minnesotan to earn a National Synchro Championship medal swimming for the Santa Clara A Team in the Senior Nationals that year.  Several injuries have forced Kelly to postpone her swimming and switch to coaching.  She and co-coach Bill May, brought the Santa Clara 18-19 Age Group Team and several routines to the National Age Group Championships in Indianapolis.  She became a National Champion Coach when the Santa Clara team took first in the 18-19 Age Group Finals.  Congratulations and thanks to mom Vicky and daughters Kari and Kelly.

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