California University of Pennsylvania

An alumnus of the program and a veteran head coach at the NCAA Division II level, April Gitzen enters her first year as head swimming coach at Cal U during the 2019-20 season.
 
Gitzen, formerly April Staniszewski '09, '10, served as the head coach of the men's and women's swimming programs at West Virginia Wesleyan for the last eight seasons. She was tabbed the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Coach of the Year three times over the past two years, receiving the laurel for men's swimming in both 2018 and 2019 and women's swimming in 2019.

A native of Pittsburgh, Gitzen directed both West Virginia Wesleyan swimming programs to a MEC Championship in 2019 at the GMAC/MEC Championships in Canton, Ohio. The Bobcats finished in third place in the men's standings, while the women's program placed fifth overall – the MEC and GMAC each recognize the top finisher from their respective conference as a champion. West Virginia Wesleyan featured a combined 28 All-MEC individual recipients, while eight relays combined to also garner all-league status.
 
Last year, Gitzen mentored both the MEC Men's Swimmer of the Year in Arthur Assfeld and the MEC Women's Freshman of the Year in Rylee Jackson. Assfeld recorded the fastest time in the league in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke. He captured the 50 freestyle title at the GMAC/MEC Championships and also posted a runner-up finish in the 100 freestyle. Assfeld also helped the 200 freestyle relay team place second at the championship event and was a member of both the 400 and 800 freestyle relays that finished in third place.
 
Jackson posted the top time in the MEC last season in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. She set the school record in the 50 freestyle and finished third overall with a time of 24.02 seconds at the GMAC/MEC Championships. Jackson also placed fifth in the 100 freestyle at the championship event with a school-best time of 53.13 seconds.
 
The Bobcats repeated as MEC Men's Champions in 2019, as the program accomplished the feat the previous year in its first season as a league member. Assfeld was named the MEC Freshman of the Year after placing in three individual events at the GMAC/MEC Championships. He broke a 20-year old school record in the 100 butterfly and finished second overall in both the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle.
 
Prior to joining the MEC, West Virginia Wesleyan competed as members of the Appalachian Swimming Conference. Gitzen was chosen the ASC Women's Coach of the Year in 2017 after leading the Bobcats to a third-place finish.

Gitzen served as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor at West Virginia Wesleyan for five-plus years and was also an adjunct professor in the multiple departments on campus.
 
A product of South Park, Gitzen competed for the Vulcans in the freestyle, breaststroke and IM events from 2006-09 and finished her career with three individual school records. She earned All-PSAC status as a senior in the 400 IM by placing second in the event with a then-school record of 4 minutes, 36.66 seconds. Gitzen also received All-PSAC laurels at the league event as a member of the 400 medley relay, which set a then-school record time.
 
Gitzen competed at the 2009 NCAA Championships in Houston, Texas, in the 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, and 400 IM, plus as a member of the 400 medley relay. She received College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America honors that season.
 
Following graduation, Gitzen spent nearly two years as a swim coach at South Park Aquatic Club before joining West Virginia Wesleyan as head coach in 2011.

Gitzen earned her bachelor's degree in sport management from Cal U in 2009 before completing her master's degree the following year in sport management with a concentration in intercollegiate athletic administration.
 
Gitzen and her husband Mike have two daughters, Emery and Lynden.