An Award-Winning Coach at East Ridge in Woodbury

East Ridge High School boys swim coach Luke Weyandt has been named the Minnesota State High School League Section 4AA coach of the year for his sport.

“I was very surprised,” Weyandt said of receiving the honor. “Our section is filled with great coaches—Brian Luke at Stillwater and Stephan Brauer of Mounds View. I expected them to get it.”

The 2003 Blaine graduate played several sports in high school and went on to run track and swim at Gustavus Adolphus College. Weyandt said his college swim coach was a strong influence in his decision to pursue the profession.

“I just wanted to give back and be a positive influence,” Weyandt said.

While he took over the fledgling program, it wasn’t uncharted waters for Weyandt. He was the first head swim coach at Shakopee High School for the 2008-09 season and “built that program from scratch.”

“That was a good experience to transition to the East Ridge program,” he said.

Trent Hanson, athletics/activities director at East Ridge, said coaches chose the award winner each year.

“We’re certainly very proud of him,” Hanson said. “It’s a prestigious award in the coaching community. In only his second year as head coach he earned the respect of his colleagues.”

Weyandt said the main feature of his coaching style is old-fashioned hard work.

“When we’re in the pool, we’re working hard, but we also try to create a fun environment,” he said. “We kick their butts, but also find time to have a good time.”

Moving from A to AA competition this year was a challenge, Weyandt said, and likely played a role in his winning the coach of the year title. Still, he said his team had a lot to do with it.

“The reason I got the award was because of what they did,” he said.

Weyandt did well with his group of relatively inexperienced swimmers and came in third place this year out of 10 teams in the section, Hanson said.

“We’re glad to have him here,” he said.

Weyandt said he often attends coaching and swimming clinics to get a sense of the latest trends. “It’s a long process,” he said. “I’m still a young coach.”

Overall, he’s happy to be at East Ridge.

“East Ridge is a great high school that has a lot of opportunities for academics and athletics,” Weyandt said. “And the kids are great too.”

East Ridge cross-country coach Chad Cronin and volleyball coach Lindsay Ashburn were honored as section coach of the year for their respective sports in the fall season.