2010-11 Saint Louis University Swimming and Diving C o a chi n g S ta f f Greg TRIEFENBACH Diving Coach Sixth Season LSU, 1994
Greg Triefenbach enters his fifth season on the Billiken swimming and diving staff. Last season, he helped a school-record four divers, including three freshmen, qualify for the NCAA Zone Meet. In 2007, Triefenbach coached Anna Larson to the first conference diving title (three-meter) in school history. Triefenbach, who is also the head diving coach at Lindenwood, has served as the diving coach for the Cyprus National Team for three years. Triefenbach spent more than three seasons as the diving coach at Missouri. With the Tigers, he coached several Big 12 finalists, and all eight of his divers qualified for the 2003 NCAA Zone Meet. Prior to his stint at Missouri, he spent three seasons at Virginia Tech. In Blacksburg, he coached his divers to two conference records. Triefenbach got his coaching start as an assistant at LSU, his alma mater. As a diver at LSU, Triefenbach was a two-time Southeastern Conference champion, a five-time All-American and third-place finisher at the NCAA Zone Meet on the 10-meter platform. He and his wife, Lisa, reside in St. Charles, Mo.
Brad BYARS Assistant Coach Third Season Saint Louis, 2008
Brad Byars enters his second season on the SLU coaching staff after completing one of the most successful careers in Saint Louis men’s swimming history. As a senior, Byars became the first Billiken in program history to capture a conference title for the men’s team when he finished first in the 100 free at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Conference Championships. The Marion, Ill., native finished his career as the school-record holder in the 100 (45.27) and 200 (1:41.44) free. Byars was a three-time team MVP and earned A-10 Performer of the Week accolades on six occasions. Byars bettered his performance at the conference championships throughout his career. He touched 10th in the 50 free as a sophomore and improved to sixth as a junior and third in 2008 as a senior. Prior to capturing the conference title in the 100 free in 2008, Byars finished third in 2007 and fifth in 2006. In addition to achieving success in the pool, Byars excelled in the classroom, earning postgraduate scholarships from the NCAA and the A-10 in 2008. Following a pair of A-10 Academic All-Conference selections, Byars was named the 2008 Men’s Swimming and Diving Student-Athlete of the Year. The 2008 SLU Male Senior Student-Athlete of the Year also picked up ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District first-team honors as a senior. Byars graduated from SLU with a bachelor’s degree in human resource management in 2008. He is pursuing a degree in health-care law at SLU’s School of Law.
Jessen WABEKE Assistant Coach Fourth Season SMU, 2006
Jessen Wabeke begins his third season on the SLU staff after enjoying a successful swimming career at Southern Methodist University. Wabeke helped the Mustangs to four straight conference titles, while also guiding SMU to NCAA top-25 finishes in 2002, 2003 and 2005. Prior to his collegiate career, he won the 2001 Colorado Class 5A state title in the 500 free. The Loveland, Colo., native also led the 400-free relay to the state crown in 2002 while his team finished second overall. Wabeke’s coaching history includes stints as an assistant with the Loveland Swim Club and at his alma mater, Thompson Valley High School. Wabeke received his bachelor’s degree in advertising from SMU in 2006. He is employed as a writer at Rodgers/Townsend in St. Louis.
Stefan YARBROUGH Assistant Coach Third Season
Stefan Yarbrough enters his second season as a collegiate assistant coach after swimming for the Billikens during the 2004-05 season. Yarbrough has spent the past four years as an assistant coach with the Heat swim club in St. Louis. During the 2006-07 academic year, the Florissant, Mo., native served as an assistant coach with the McCluer North High School girls’ team, which went on to capture the conference championship.