ST. JOSEPH, Minn. - College of Saint Benedict swimming and diving head coach Mandy Wolvert announced the addition of two decorated assistants to her coaching staff ahead of the 2026-27 season. Bill Saxton returns to the coaching stage, this time in an assistant role, while Matt Zelen, the most decorated swimmer in Saint John's University history, enters an assistant coach position with the Bennies. 

 

"I am really excited to have Bill and Matt joining us on the pool deck this year," Wolvert stated. "Their years of swim success are going to keep the Bennies growing, breaking records and making history in the MIAC." 

 

Saxton returns to the pool deck after eight seasons away. He served as the head coach of the Bennies from 1998 to 2004 before moving over to become solely the Johnnies head coach for 20 seasons. Saxton announced his retirement from Saint John's in 2018.  

 

In his time at CSB, Saxton coached one NCAA Division III All-Americans (Gretchen Weber, 1999 200 Back & Katie Kuhlmann, 2002 100 Breast), one honorable mention All-American (Gretchen Weber, 1999 200 Free), 12 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) medalists and 33 All-MIAC honorees. Under the direction of Saxton, Saint Ben's finished in the top-five at the MIAC Championships in five of his six seasons. 

 

While at SJU, Saxton led the Johnnies to 11 top-three finishes at the MIAC Championships and three top-25 finishes at the NCAA Division III National Championship while serving as the head coach from 1998-2018. He was twice named the MIAC Coach of the Year, earning the accolade in 2003 and 2016. Saxton coached 12 individual NCAA All-Americans and seven relay teams that earned NCAA All-American honors. Saxton also coached one NCAA Champion, as Matt Zelen won the 50-yard freestyle at the 1999 national championship. 

 

Zelen, the most decorated swimmer in SJU history, joins the pool deck to help coach the Bennies. While at Saint John's Zelen won one individual national championship, earned eight individual All-American honors and was a part of four All-America relays. At the MIAC Championships, Zelen finished as the most decorated swimmer in program history as he won 13 MIAC events, eight as an individual and four on a relay, and was a 17-time All-MIAC honoree. Zelen's 50 Free (20.03), 100 Free (45.01) and 100 Fly (48.82) times still stand as the SJU program records. 

 

The Bennies will begin the 2026-27 season with the Red/White Intersquad Scrimmage Saturday, Sept. 26. Action is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. at Warner Palaestra Pool.