Steiner Stars Swim Team Coaches

Meet Our Coaches

Kay Gerken, Head Coach
gerken@mindspring.com 266-7674
Head Coach in her 4th year with the Stars. Kay has 25+ years coaching swimming at the summer league, club and college level. She loves the Stars because it gives her a chance to work wiht the wonderful families in her beloved neighborhood.

Karen Gerken, Assistant Coach
krg2@rice.edu 963-7674
In her 6th year coaching her beloved Stars, Karen is a CPHS graduate. She is a rising sophomore at Rice University where she is studying Sociology and Policy Studies. As a Rice freshman, she excelled in distance freestyle and helped the Owls achieve their best conference finish ever. Karen looks forward to another terrific Stars' season.

Michael Brahce, Assistant Coach
michaelbrahce@yahoo.com 484-7061
Having taken a season off last year to pursue his acting career, Michael is back this summer for his 3rd season. Michael is infinitely patient with young swimmers and we are so grateful to welcome back his coaching talent and his wit. Michael graduated from Austin College and has a bright future on the stage. He is thrilled to work with his brother Jacob. Both are talented singers so prepare for some awesome national anthems!

David Zolno, Assistant Coach
dzgold88@hotmail.com 293-4507
A first year Stars coach, David is a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill where he is a valued sprint freestyler on the Tar Heels Swim Team. David is an honors graduate of Westlake High School where he was a teammate of former Stars coaches David Sweet and Chuck Cassidy. Coach Kay had the pleasure of coaching David as a youngster and she is excited about the swimming expertise and fine character that David brings to our program.

Jacob Brahce, Assistant Coach
jacobrahce@yahoo.com 497-7257
Jacob is an experienced summer league coach and we are delighted that he has joined the Stars staff this summer. He is looking forward to working with his brother Michael and former CPHS teammates: Karen, Tom, Zack and Julia. Jacob is a rising sophomore at TCU where, in addition to his studies in Criminal Justice and Political Science, Jacob is a newspaper cartoonist and campus tour guide.

Kori Dean, Assistant Coach
korid@attglobal.net 587-1450
Younger sister of long-time Stars coach Kristin Dean, Kori is a talented person in her own right. She graduates in June from Westwood High School and will be going to the University of Tennessee in the fall. She has competed for the District Champion Warriors for 3 years. Kori has lots of experience working with young kids and we welcome her warm personality to our staff.

Max Hirsch, Assistant Coach
max_h@emailaccount.com 351-2773
Max is moving from Stars swimmer to Stars coach this summer. Max started swimming for the very first time as an eighth grader. He won our hearts with his can-do attitude and will to improve. After just one summer with the Stars, Max made the CPHS swim team and was a valuable member of that team until he transferred last year to the Texas Academy of Math and Science at UNT in Denton. He is a senior boarding student there and his academic future is very bright. Max will help each member of our team reach his/her own potential.

Tom Gerken, Volunteer Assistant Coach
gerken@mindspring.com 983-2886
Tom is in his second year coaching the Stars. He is a rising junior at CPHS and an honored MVP. He has also been recognized with the Timberwolf Award. A talented breaststroker and IMer, Tom has qualified for regional for two years. He has a real aptitude for working with young swimmers and loves being part of the Stars, both as a swimmer and as a coach.

Zack Panos, Volunteer Assistant Coach
zpanos@gmail.com 963-6380
A RiverPlace swimming alum, Zack is a talented distance swimmer at CPHS where he is a regional qualifier and team captain. He will be a senior this fall and ranks very near the top of his class. We love his spirit and sense of humor.

Julia Lewis, Volunteer Assistant Coach
glewis2@austin.rr.com 809-5058
Julia is trading her Stars Speedo for a Stars coaching shirt this year. After many years and dozens of amazing swims for our team, Julia has decided to try her hand at coaching. At CPHS, she has been a standout butterflyer and a top-tier student in the Class of 2009. We are so lucky that she has chosen to apply her ample brains and talent to help with the Stars this season.