Education

B.A. Gustavus Adolphus College

Areas of Expertise

Competitive Tennis and Swimming

Interests

Outdoor activities and reading

Jon Carlson ’88

Athletics

Jon Carlson is entering his 20th season as the head coach of the men's swimming and diving team. The program, under the direction of Carlson, has emerged as both a conference power and a national contender.

In 2009, Carlson's squad finished second in the MIAC Championship, in 2008 his team finished first. Gustavus has won the MIAC Championship seven times in the last ten years. Prior to 2000, the men's team finished second at the MIAC Championships six consecutive seasons. The Gusties have recorded team finishes at the NCAA Championships for ten of the past thirteen years. The squad placed 28th in 1996, 18th in 1997, 22nd in 1998, 34th in 1999, 30th in 2002, 29th in 2003, 9th in 2004, 7th in 2005, 11th in 2006, 5th in 2007, 12th in 2008, and 15th in 2009.

Participation in swimming and diving has grown significantly since Carlson became the head coach in 1990. The squad's size has more than doubled for the men over the past decade. Carlson was named the MIAC Men's Coach of the Year in 2004 as well as in 2005 when Gustavus posted a seventh place finish at the NCAA Championships. He has coached 66 male swimmers who have earned 154 all-conference honors and 26 male swimmers who have earned 85 All-America honors in eleven individual events and six relays.

Along with his duties directing the men's team, Carlson is also the head coach of the women's swimming and diving team and women's tennis squad. He and his wife, Heidi, have three daughters, Calleigh, Grace, and Josie.

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Jon Carlson is entering his 19th season as the head coach of the Gustavus women's swimming and diving team. The women's swimming and diving program, under the direction of Carlson, has become a force to be reckoned with at both the conference and national levels.

Carlson guided the team to a first place MIAC finish in 2008 for the fourth time in seven seasons. He was named the MIAC Women's Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year in 2002 and coached the first All-Americans in the program's history in 2003. Under Carlson's direction, the Gusties have placed in the top three of the conference standings for ten consecutive years. He has coached 67 female swimmers who have earned 133 all-conference honors and six female swimmers who have earned 14 All-America honors during his time at Gustavus.

Participation in swimming and diving has grown significantly since Carlson became the head coach in 1991. The squad's size has doubled over the past ten years. Last year the Gusties won the first two events at the conference meet en route to capturing first place honors. A true team effort was utilized during the MIAC Championships as Gustavus earned first place honors by 52.5 points, despite not winning an event during the final two days of the event.

Along with his duties directing the women's swimming and diving team, Carlson is also the head coach of the men's swimming and diving team and the women's tennis team. Jon and his wife, Heidi, have three daughters, Calleigh, Grace, and Josie.

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Jon Carlson returns for his 20th year as head coach of the Gustavus Adolphus Women's Tennis team. Carlson has had a long and successful tenure directing the women's tennis program as he has compiled a record of 421-128 overall and 190-1 in the MIAC in his 19 seasons as the head coach.

A 1988 graduate of Gustavus, Carlson served as a supervisor at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla. from 1988-89 before returning to his alma mater to assume direction of the women's tennis program in 1990. In his first season at Gustavus, Carlson led his squad to the 1990 NCAA National Title and his squads have finished in the top four at the NCAA Championships five other times including second in 1991 and 1993, third in 1999, and fourth in 1992 and 1994.

Gustavus has won the MIAC title 18 times in Carlson's 19 seasons and earned NCAA Tournament bids every season he has coached. Carlson has earned MIAC Coach of the Year honors six times (1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004), and was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division III Coach of the Year in 1994 and 2002. During the span of his tenure, Carlson has coached 41 separate athletes to 110 all-conference honors and 18 individuals to 32 All-America honors, including two-time NCAA Division III Doubles Champions Tara Houlihan and Lyndsey Palen (2005, 2006).

Coach Carlson is active in the tennis community as he has served as a member of the NCAA National Championship Committee including serving as the National Chair for Division III in 1997-98 and 1999-2000. He has also been an active member of the ITA, serving as the ITA National Awards Chair and on several other ITA regional committees.

Along with his duties directing the women's tennis team, Carlson is also the head coach of the men's and women's swimming and diving teams. Jon and his wife, Heidi, live in St. Peter with their three daughters, Calleigh, Grace, and Josie.

Contact Information

Athletics
Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082

Phone: 507-933-7694
E-mail: carlson@gustavus.edu