ZOEY AHRENS

Varsity Girls Swim & Dive Head Coach

Zoey Ahrens is the Head Coach of the Girls and Boys Swimming and Diving teams at St. Michael-Albertville High School, where she has led the program for the past two years. With a strong background as both an athlete and coach, she brings a well-rounded perspective and deep passion for developing student-athletes in and out of the water.

Before joining STMA, Ahrens coached club swimming for three years, including one year with Bettendorf Aquatics in Iowa and two years with the Brookings Swim Club in South Dakota. Her coaching experience across multiple programs has helped shape her athlete-centered philosophy and commitment to long-term development.

Ahrens competed at the Division I level for South Dakota State University, where she specialized in distance freestyle events. She consistently contributed as a point scorer in both dual meets and championship competition, earning frequent wins in the 1,000 freestyle. She was a multi-year finalist in the 500 freestyle and a four-year finalist in the 1,650 freestyle at the Summit League Swimming and Diving Championships. During her time at SDSU, she was also an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), demonstrating her leadership beyond competition.

In high school, Ahrens was an all-conference swimmer and consistent point scorer, competing primarily in the 200 and 500 freestyle. She was a state podium finisher, contributed to top-performing teams, and was a key member of relay lineups at both conference and state levels.

Ahrens’ coaching philosophy centers on instilling a belief in athletes that success is attainable through hard work, focus, and trust in the process. She emphasizes resilience, especially during challenging parts of the season, and encourages athletes to stay committed even when fatigued. She believes the journey is more important than the destination and strives to help athletes grow not only as competitors but also as individuals. Her program prioritizes technical understanding, sportsmanship, and respect—for oneself, for others, and for the sport. Ultimately, her goal is for every swimmer and diver to have a positive, meaningful experience while reaching their full potential.