Kate Mullen
Head Coach
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Kate grew up in Chesterton and swam for Duneland Swim Club and
Chesterton High School, where she held various team, pool,
conference, and sectional records and specialized in the
freestyle. She was conference and sectional champion in many
events each year, helping her team remain undefeated. As a
senior, she was voted Conference MVP, Team MVP, and Senior Athlete
of the Year. She qualified for Senior Nationals several
times.
Kate attended the University of South Florida and then Eastern
Michigan University on swimming scholarships. Unfortunately,
illness forced her to stop swimming for several years.
Eventually she returned to swimming as a Master’s swimmer,
where she was ranked nationally in the top ten for many years in
the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle, among others. She earned her
bachelor of science degree from the University of Texas, Arlington,
in biology and geology.
Kate began her coaching career while still in high school when
she became an assistant coach for Duneland Swim Club. While working
on her degree at the University of Texas, she became head age group
coach of the Irving Swimmers in Irving, Texas. Since that time, she
returned to Chesterton as an assistant swim coach for both Duneland
and Chesterton High School, and most recently she has been a swim
coach for the Chicago Park District. In addition to
coaching, she has several years’ experience as a
learn-to-swim instructor. Kate has a son, Calvin, who is a Marine,
and a dog, Odie, who still lives at home.
Nicole Burney
Assistant Coach
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Nicole is a long-time swim mom, swimming official, meet
director, former board president, and all-around club go-to person.
She works primarily with group 1 swimmers. She is also a big fan of
Ryan Lochte.
Jessie Reeder
Assistant Coach
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At age six after sitting in the stands watching her older
brother and sister practice every night, Jessie started swimming on
the Duneland Swim Club. She swam for eight years and then swam in
high school for Chesterton for all four years, where she discovered
her freshman year that she absolutely loved the 500 free. She
decided that she didn’t want to swim in college because she
wanted to focus on her studies. Jessie attends Purdue University
North Central for Elementary Education. She absolutely loves
coaching!
Coach Jessie works primarily with group 2 swimmers.
Sierra King
Assistant Coach
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Growing up Sierra was always in the pool. She couldn't get
enough of the water! Her parents signed her up for PPSC when she
was eight years old and she has continued to swim ever since.
Sierra first qualified for state when she was ten years old, and
she has qualified every year since. Throughout high school she swam
a variety of events; however, she mostly competed in the 200IM and
100Breaststroke. She qualified for state in the 100 Breast every
year of high school. Portage Porpoise Swim Club was a great start
into the swimming world and it deffinately develped Sierra's
passion in the pool going into high school.
Coach Sierra works with all 3 groups of swimmers. She teaches
private swim lessons upon request by email.
Greg Mundt
High School Girls' Head Coach
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Greg grew up in Portage and started swimming for PPSC when he
was 6. He continued swimming in high school, where he was the team
captain for PHS, as well as the team DAC co-MVP. In college, Greg
swam the butterfly and freestyle. He was a four-year letter winner
and received the mental attitude award his senior year. He has a
bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education from the
University of Indianapolis. In the fall of 2006 Greg began teaching
Social Studies at Portage High School, and served as the girls'
assistant swim coach. Three years ago he took over as the
girls’ head coach and was named the Sectional Coach of the
Year after his first year. Greg has coached for the Porpoises since
high school when he taught learn-to-swim. During his summer breaks
from college he coached the senior swimmers. Swimming has
always been a huge part of his life, and all of the men in his
family are coaches. His dad, Ralph, coached the Portage boys’
team for over 30 years. His older brother, Nate, coaches at the
University of Iowa, and his younger brother, Eric, coaches at
Portage.
