Rob Knight - Head Coach

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Coach Rob Knight, a Bloomington-Normal native, lives in Normal with his wife Chris, daughter Kathleen, and dog Lenny, whom Kathleen named after Olympic backstroker Lenny Krayzelburg.  Rob started swimming at age six for a local summer team and, over the years, competed locally for the YMCA and BNSC.  In high school, Rob swam for University High School, competing at the state championship meet his Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years, holding the record for the 100 Freestyle at U-High (48.30) for over 20 years.

After a short break from competitive swimming and graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in Agriculture, Coach Rob returned to Bloomington-Normal and served as an assistant age-group coach for Redbird Swim Club (formerly the Bloomington-Normal Swim Club).  In 1992, after working for several years in agricultural-related jobs and age-group coaching, he opened a “learn-to-swim” school in Bloomington (Rob Knight’s Swim America).  RKSA, after several successful years of operations, expanded its program with its year-round competitive swim team.  Coach Rob emphasizes that the success of the swim school and the swim team would not be possible without the dedication and sacrifice of his family, his hard-working athletes, and the parents who help support the programs.

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Zelenyaev Andrey Nikoleavich - Head Coach

Coach Zelenyaev Andrey Nikolaevich (Short name Coach ZAN) was born in Vorkuta City, USSR. He began swimming when he was 11 years old. At first he played water polo, but then began swimming.  ZAN achieved the high status of Master of Swimming in USSR. He finished music school in 1973. ZAN was part of the band group "Hermits" from 1973 to 1980. He finished Mountain-Oil College and also finished Moscow Sports Academy.  He worked from 1984 to 2009 in Samara, Russia.  Andrey worked as Head Coach of Central Sports Club for twelve years for Olympic-only kinds of sports.  ZAN's  swimmers have 3 Olympic medals, 3 World records, 13 European records, 123 National records. He wrote a book about swimmers to help parents. Andrey is married to Alena Klyuchnikova.  His hobbies include music, nature, and learning English.  His favorite music group is "Queen".  His favorite car is "Mustang".

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Dawn Fudge

Coach Dawn Fudge, raised in Waukegan, Illinois, started swimming at an early age for the YMCA and park district with her father as her coach.  As a student at Waukegan West High School, Dawn swam all four years, two of which she participated on a relay team at the state championships.  Dawn also taught swim lessons and assisted in coaching area park district teams.  Dawn’s favorite events of her swimming career include the 100 Breaststroke and the 100 Individual Medley.

Dawn earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master’s in Special Education from ISU.  While attending ISU, Dawn utilized aquatic therapy in working with children with disabilities.  Coach Dawn currently works at Parkside Junior High School as a Special Education teacher.  She still gets in the pool weekly with her students for therapy and with her own kids to work on their swimming technique.

Coach Dawn lives in rural Stanford with her husband Chuck, son Harrison, daughter Hadley, and several beloved pet dogs and cats.  Harrison and Hadley both began swim lessons at 6 months at RKSA, and both are now swimmers with BNSC.

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Molly Legner

Coach Molly Legner grew up in the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook.  Both she and her sister began swimming at a young age.  By the time Molly was 9, she was swimming for Westmont Swim Club, with the 100-yard Breaststroke as her favorite event.  At age 10, Molly placed 1^st in the 100 Breaststroke at the Junior Olympics.  After a knee injury, Molly became a distance swimmer, competing in the 500-yd. and 1650-yd. Freestyle events.

As a teenager, Molly worked as a lifeguard at the neighborhood pool, and she taught swim lessons for 5 summers. 

After high school, Molly attended the College of DuPage and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.  She is eagerly searching for a full-time teaching position and is excited to continue teaching swim lessons at RKSA and coaching for BNSC.

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Nate Gocken

Coach Nate Gocken grew up in Watseka, Illinois, and competed on various swim teams from the time he was 5 years old.  He enjoyed swimming butterfly and freestyle.  When he was 18, he began coaching for the Watseka Waves Swim Team.  He coached and worked as a lifeguard for 2 years before joining BNSC (formerly RKSA) as a coach.

Coach Nate plans to graduate from ISU with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in May 2009.  He enjoys working with kids and lifeguarding.

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Trevor Mitchell

Coach Trevor Mitchell was raised in the Bloomington-Normal area and swam for BNSC (formerly RKSA) for many years.