Coaches

Head Coach Kevin Auger Entering his twenty-sixth season, comes to us from Ontario, Canada, where he coached several National and Youth National level swimmers as well as PanPacific Games Medalist, NCAA medalist, two National Team Members and several National Development Team Members. Since Kevin took the helm WSO has won 3 club state championships and the Evanston Township High School team which he heads won 3 State championships and one National Championship. WSO has also had 12 of the last 13 years with at least one State champion. Kevin was a member of the 1980 Canadian Olympic Team and was ranked as high as sixth in the world as a swimmer. Kevin is a 2 time Big Ten champion while swimming at Indiana University. With Kevin's thirty-six years of coaching experience, which started at Indiana University in 1984 after he finished his swimming career there, we are confident the program is in capable hands.
Heidi Toft Assistant Coach Heidi was a long time WSO swimmer and Illinois State record holder. Heidi has been coaching WSO for 26 years. She is currently an assistant senior coach helping out with the high school swimmers and the lead coach for swimmers in grade 5-8. She was a student at Evanston Township HS and became high school state champion in 1990 and All American in the 50 Free in 1989 and 1990. Heidi came to WSO after completing her NCAA career and degree at Arizona State University. Heidi completed her Masters Degree in Education in the Spring of 1999. Heidi has been an assistant coach of the Evanston Township High School swim team for 26 years. Heidi has coached 4 state champions and several USA top 16 swims.
Veronica Gibson Assistant Coach and LTS Supervisor Veronica joins the WSO staff for her 5th year after swimming for the club for 10 years. Veronica was a State Finalist at both the club and high school levels. She swam for University of Illinois-Chicago where she was a mainstay in the Horizon League Championship Finals. Veronica has a Masters degree in counseling and is the Aquatics Specialist and an assistant coach at ETHS. As a Learn to Swim supervisor and Kindegarten thru Grade 6 coach Veronica brings with him tremendous energy and passion for the sport of swimming.
Joe Gibson Assistant Coach Joe was an All-American in high school swimming for St Patrick H.S. He just recently graduated from Seton Hall University with a degree in education. Joe swam for WSO for 14 years and won State twice. In college Joe was a top 8 swimmer in several events at the Big East Championships. Joe brings his enthusiasm for the sport he loves along with his 8 years of teaching and coaching.
Chuck Fargo Assistant Coach Chuck is a long time WSO assistant. Chuck who was a member of the stand out ETHS teams in the late 50's and early 60’s brings a memory of tradition and voracious appetite for statistics. Chuck recently achieved a coaching milestone when he helped lead as an assistant coach the ETHS Boy's team to its first National Championship since he was a member of the team. Chuck has also been named to the Illinois Swimming Association Hall of Fame as an outstanding contributor to the sport.
Tim Silkaitis Assitant Coach Tim graduated and swam for Southern Illinois University and graduated with a degree in Education. Tim has also earned a Masters degree in Teaching Technology. He is a Phys-Ed teacher at ETHS. He was an All-American swimmer on the 2005 State Champion ETHS swim team and the 2005 3rd place Water Polo Team. He currently coaches the Girls' and Boys' swim team and the Boys' water polo team.
Karissa McBride Assistant Coach Karissa is a 2014 graduate of ETHS and member of WSO. She has coached, taught swim lessons and lifeguarded staying involved in swimming since she was little. She has coached with ETHS for the past 3 years helping out with the newer and younger swimmers.
Andy Miner Assistant Coach Andy has been a coach at ETHS since 2010. In his time at ETHS he has coached Ultimate Frisbee, Girls Water Polo (Head) and Girls Swimming (asst.). He swam in high school at Rockford Guilford before moving on to swim at the University of Iowa. Andy is also a teacher at ETHS in the Science Department.