Gabe Kortuem is in his 23rd season as the diving coach for the St. Olaf men's and women's swimming and diving programs in 2024-25.
During his tenure, Kortuem's divers have earned various accolades both at the local and national level making his program the most decorated diving program in the MIAC and a top program in NCAA Division III. He has had 11 NCAA provisional qualifiers - the most of any MIAC diving program. Furthermore, six of the provisional qualifiers have gone on to compete at the NCAA Championships, earning a total of 19 All-American honors.
Collectively, his athletes have been dominant at the local level. In the past 16 seasons, he has coached eight different divers to MIAC Championship performances earning 25 championship medals. Furthermore, he has had 15 different athletes earn 61 All-MIAC awards. Due to their success on the board, eight of his divers have been recognized by the MIAC earning 12 Diver of the Meet Awards - more than double the next closest program. His divers’ successes have led him to be voted the MIAC Diving Coach of the Year six times since it was first awarded in 2007.
Kortuem's success as a coach stems from his ability to draw on his own successes and challenges as a diver. Gabe earned seven All-American honors, eight All-MIAC honors, six MIAC Championship medals, and capped off his career with the NCAA one-meter national title in 2002. His victory on the one-meter board in 2002 came after he shattered two bones in his hand during the 2001 NCAA Championships. His winning score of 557.90 in 2002 still remains the NCAA Division III national meet record. He is one of the most decorated divers in the MIAC, holding multiple school, pool, conference, and meet records.
Kortuem's coaching style can be described as athlete-centered, cooperative, motivational, and holistic. He focuses on improving not only divers' proficiency in the sport, but also the mental and emotional balance necessary to maintain focus, build self-efficacy, and perform at a high level. He forms strong coach-athlete relationships through communication and trust, and is dedicated to the betterment of his athletes as students, competitors, and people.
Gabe and his wife, Kristi, live in Northfield with their five children, who refer to coaching as his “fun job.”
