Youngstown State University

Jacqueline Stanko was named head diving coach at her alma mater, Youngstown State, in August 2017. After her career as a diver for the Penguins and before her appointment as the diving coach she spent time on the Youngstown coaching staff in various roles between 2015-17.

In her first season in 2017-18, Stanko coached two divers that had strong performances at the Horizon League Championships while advancing to the NCAA Zone C Diving Meet. Bethany Glick and McKenzie Stelter concluded their YSU careers with strong senior campaigns. Glick was second in the three-meter and Stelter was fourth at the Horzion League meet. In the one-meter competition, Stelter was sixth while Glick was 10th.

As a diver for the Penguins from 2009-13, Stanko was a multiple-time finalist at the Horizon League Championship meet on the one-meter and three-meter boards. Along with being a team captain and student assistant during her senior year. As a junior, she finished a career-best fifth in the one-meter dive at the Horizon League Championships with a personal-best score of 231.75.

Stanko graduated Cum Laude from Youngstown State with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and taught Kindergarten in Chicago, Ill., before her return to the pool deck. 

A graduate of Badger High School in Kinsman, Ohio, she was a standout athlete in track and field and gymnastics. She competed in gymnastics for 10 years qualifying for TOPS along with winning several all-around State Championship titles.