MSU-Moorhead Dragon Swimming Camps

Head Coach Todd Peters

Creator and sustainer of the highly regarded women’s swimming and diving program at Minnesota State Moorhead that is making substantial waves on conference, region and national levels, Todd Peters begins his 12th year as head coach at MSUM.

Under Peters’ watch last winter, MSU Moorhead posted a batch of new pool and school records, dispatched a record seven qualifiers to the 2008 NCAA Division II National Swimming and Diving Championships and placed 25th with 40 points, and pocketed six All-American honors. 

In 1997, Peters was appointed the first swimming coach at MSU Moorhead and entrusted with building a program from the bottom of the pool up. It was a substantial mission, indeed, but consider it done.

Peters has been recognized by the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) as a Coach of Excellence for 2008.  This award is bestowed upon coaches for having a swimmer place in the top eight at the NCAA Division II National Meet.

Peters also achieved ASCA Level 3 certification.  This certification level is attained by only 15% of the swim coaching population.  The ASCA Level 3 certification requires successful completion of course work and testing in three areas; Swimming Foundations, Stroke Mechanics, and Physiology.  In addition, coaching at least one NCAA Division II All-American is required.

Peters coached Barbie Brooks, Ann Gusewelle, Karena King, and Amy Roness to a sixth place finish in the 200 medley relay and Gusewelle to a fifth place finish in the 100 Breaststroke at the 2008 NCAA Division II National Swimming and Diving Championships. These All-American performances led to the ASCA recognition and certification.

A native of Austin and a graduate of North Dakota State University, Peters was boy's swimming and diving coach at Moorhead High School from 1991-1997 and girl's swimming and diving coach at Fargo South High School. He also tutored Jay Schindler, the Spuds’ first individual state champion who later earned athletic and academic All-American honors at Iowa State University and qualified for the 2000 United States Olympic Trials.

At Fargo South, Peters supervised a program that attracted as many as 70 athletes, including four-time North Dakota State Champ Christina Traen. During his tenure with the Marlins, following the sudden departure of the head coach, Peters assumed the duties and later helped the club hire its first full-time, permanent head coach.

A member of the Austin School Swim Program from 1979-85, Peters served as team captain as a senior and won the Hardest Worker award three times. After graduation he gained his first coaching experience as Austin's junior high swim coach. Peters concentrated on his studies for the next three years at NDSU before returning to the pool and competed on the last varsity swim team for the Bison in 1989-1990. He later co-founded and served as the president of the NDSU Swim Club.

Peters graduated from NDSU in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and recently added a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at MSUM. In addition to his coaching duties, Peters serves as Intramural Coordinator, Pool Supervisor and as instructor in the Health and Physical Education Department.