Joe Neukirch-Head Coach

Coach Joe started his swimming career at the age of five with the Aurora YMCA Sharks and the Westwind Wahoos (old rival of Geneva) continuing through to college swimming at Southern Illinois University. Joe's events included the 200, 500, 1000, 1650, and 5 kilometer (open water) freestyle. Joe was five time YMCA National All-American, three time IHSA All State Second Team, three time MVP/Captain of the Aurora Sharks, and varsity letter winner along with team captain his senior year of college.

Joe started his coaching career in 1999 as an age group coach with the Aurora YMCA and continues to work with the national team during the summer. Joe also had coached four seasons (2001-2004) for the Oswego Otters (another River Rat rival). Joe currently teaches U.S. History and Government at West Aurora High School and is the Head Coach of the Girl's and Boy's Swimming and Diving Team. Joe currently is working on his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership at North Central College in Naperville.

In his spare time Joe enjoys swimming in Lake Michigan, biking, golfing, reading, and fishing.

Janice- 9&10 Age Group Coach

Coach Janice began her swimming career as a 9 year-old on the very first Geneva River Rat team.  She was conference champion in backstroke when she was 10, and she went on to swim for B.R. Ryall YMCA in the winter as well as swim for the Rosary Beads, where she was the team captain her senior year of high school.  Janice returns for her 7th year as the head 9-10 swim coach, and she is excited for another fun summer working with the swimmers, parents, and her invaluable coaching partners.  Janice lives in Mill Creek with her husband, Doug, and their 28 month-old son, Dylan who will be taking swimming lessons this summer in preparation for his future years as a River Rat!  Janice is certainly proud to still be a part of the team that started her own swimming career—once a River Rat, always a River Rat!

Chris Bass- 11&12 Head Age Group Coach

Chris is the Head Age Group Coach for the 11/12 age group.  Chris started his swimming career with the Geneva River Rats in 1994.  Eventually, Chris joined the year round West Chicago Sharks Swim Team.  Chris swam on the Millikin University Varsity Swim Team for four years.  His main events are the 200 and 100 breaststroke. This is his second season as a full time coach, and he is excited to work with the great parents and swimmers that make the River Rats such a successful team. 

Sarah Pauly- 8&under Head Age Group Coach

Sarah started her swimming career at age 8 while swimming for the Aurora Country Club.
She continued her swimming career until college, while swimming 8 years with the Aurora
YMCA Sharks. Sarah was also a 4-year Varsity member and Captain of the West Aurora High
School Girl's Swim Team. At West Aurora, Sarah broke 6 school records and currently holds
2 school records. Sarah holds several championship titles and records in the Dolphin
League for Aurora Country Club, and has also competed at 7 YMCA National Championships for the Aurora YMCA Sharks.

This is Sarah's 3rd season with the River Rats, but she has been actively involved with
coaching swimming at the Aurora YMCA for the past 5 years.

Sarah will be a graduating from Indiana University this December and will be receiving her degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Social Studies. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys swimming, softball, vacationing, good music and White Sox Baseball.

Katie Bass- 11&12 Assistant Age Group Coach

Coach Kate has been swimming for 14 years now. She started her swimming career with the Geneva River Rats at age 7 and swam with them until she graduated from high school. She also swam with West Chicago Sharks through the winter short course season.  Katie currently is going into her senior year of swimming at Milikin University. Her favorite events include 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, and 200 Individual Medley.

This is her fourth year coaching the Geneva River Rats and she loves every minute of it.

“Swimming is a sport that has taught me a lot and given me many opportunities. It’s a privilege to be able to coach for a team that started my swimming career.” Coach Katie