About the Coaching Staff

Joanne Kutzler has been the Head Coach of the Synchronettes since its formation in 1999. Previously Joanne served as the Head Coach for the Varsity Synchro Team at Carleton College for 10 years and was the University of Minnesota Synchro Club Head Coach, a St. Louis Park High School Varsity team coach, and the Bloomington High School Head Coach where the team tied for 1st overall at the Minnesota State Championships.

In 2005 Joanne received the Development Coach of the Year Award from the USSS National Governing Board and was also inducted into the St. Louis Park Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2006 she was elected to the USSS Board of Directors, the 12 member governing body for the sport of synchronized swimming in the United States. She is a USSS National level figure judge, a Regional routine judge, and a USSS certified coach. She served as the USSS Minnesota Association Officials Chair for four years, a position responsible for determining panels of judges at the Association level meets as well as the training, testing, and evaluating of USSS judges in Minnesota. Joanne is currently serving as the Association’s Technical Chair.

Joanne is a two time bronze medalist at U.S. Senior Nationals and a former team member of the Santa Clara Aquamaids, a top national synchronized swimming club that produces swimmers for U.S. National and Olympic teams. Before moving to California to compete with the Santa Clara Aquamaids, Joanne was a former bronze medal soloist at U.S. Junior Nationals and a nine time gold medalist at the Minnesota State Championships. More recently she has medaled 15 times as a U.S. National Masters Champion.

Joanne continues her professional development by attending numerous training programs including the annual national Coaches College at the Olympic Training Center, the All Star Camps (2008, 2010), Santa Clara Aquamaids Coaches College (2002-2009), national judges’ updates, and the USSS convention. Joanne holds a JD law degree from Southwestern University and a Doctorate of Public Administration (and) and Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California. Joanne leads the following five dedicated assistant coaches, who are also committed to excellence.

Kirsten Boeder joined MNS in 2009 to assist in coaching after returning to the Twin Cities with her BA from the University of Wisconsin/Madison with a double major in Italian and the Biological Aspects of Conservation with a minor in Environmental Studies. Kirsten was a three time national finalist while competing as a Synchronette for four years and Hopkins for six years. More recently she has joined the masters Minnesota Northern Pikes. She brings excellent leadership skills and teaching ability plus enjoys choreography and assisting younger athletes in their quest to learn and perfect their skills.

Bonnie Buxton competed and medaled at the high school and collegiate level and now competes with the masters Minnesota Northern Pikes. She is over a 28-time medalist at the U.S. National Masters Championships (1995-2010). She is a USSS 2F judge, a rating that qualifies her to judge figures at the Minnesota Association level. She attended the Santa Clara Aquamaids Coaches College 2003 through 2005. She joined the Synchronettes coaching staff in 2000. Bonnie has a BA in Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Currently she is medical technician and has her own dog grooming business.

Liz Clark joined our coaching staff in 2006. Liz was a four time collegiate national competitor with the Carleton College Varsity Team and also competed on a High School Varsity team. She has more recently competed and medaled with the masters Minnesota Northern Pikes. She is a USSS 2F Judge, a rating that would qualify her to judge figures at the Minnesota Association level. Liz graduated from Carleton College in 2006 with a BS in Biochemistry and is pursuing a degree in Sonography at the College of St. Catherine

Jill Hansen joined the Synchronettes coaching staff in 2004 and competed in synchronized swimming with the Minnesota Aquafins, Stillwater Synchro and the University of Minnesota . Previously she coached the Osseo Varsity High School team and the Minnesota Aquafins. She is an 8-time medalist at the US Masters Championships (2003-2007), competing with the masters Minnesota Northern Pikes. Jill graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2002 with a BA in Communication Studies and completed her Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2009 at St. Mary's. In addition to coaching synchro Jill works on the Mental Health Unit at Mercy Hospital and also see's individuals, families, and couples at her private practice in St. Louis Park.

Zofi Kudak-Field joined the MNS coaching staff in 2008 and has competed in synchronized swimming for eleven years. She competed with the Minnesota Synchronettes for four years, Hopkins High School for six years, and is a recent graduate from Carleton College where she swam on the Varsity Team for four years and was Captain for the last two. She was awarded All-Collegiate her freshman year and helped Carleton place twelfth or better at Collegiate Nationals all four years. Zofi's synchronized swimming achievements also include: qualifying for and competing in Phase 2 Junior National Team Trials, placing five times in National Championships Finals in Solo, Trio and Team and more recently medaling with the masters Minnesota Northern Pikes. Zofi graduated from Carleton College in 2008 with a major in Biology and a minor in Spanish and Latin American Studies and is currently pursuing a career where she can use both her science and Spanish skills.

Claudia Parliament competed at the high school and collegiate level and now competes with the Minnesota Northern Pikes Masters Team. She was a three time gold medalist at the State Championships and over a 28-time medalist at U.S. National Master Championships (1995-2010). Claudia is currently a USSS 2F and 2R judge that allows her to judge figures and routines at the regional level. She attended the Santa Clara Aquamaids Coaches College 2003 through 2005. She joined the Synchronettes coaching staff in 2001. Claudia holds a Ph.D. in Agriculture and Resource Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Professor, Department of Applied Economics, at the University of Minnesota.

Anne Schwalbe swam for Wayzata High School for six years and continued her synchro career as a synchro Spider at the University of Richmond. She found ways to stay connected to synchro during her time in Germany and Washington DC. For the last 3 years Anne lived in rural South Dakota, far far away from a pool or synchro team. She is thrilled to be back in Minnesota and to coach Minnesota Syncho this year. Anne is currently working as an 8th Grade English teacher in the East Metro Integration District.

Emily Tucker joined the MNS coaching staff in 2010 after graduating from the University of Florida with a BFA in Creative Photography and a minor in Art History. Emily was a collegiate national competitor with the Florida Gator Synchro team, and also competed as a national finalist with the Synchronettes for four years and Hopkins for five years.

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