Coach | Educator | Hall of Fame Inductee

In 1984, Mark Storhaug joined the Alexandria school district as a middle school Earth Science teacher and head coach for both the Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming and Diving programs. That same year, he met his wife, Cindy, and they married in 1986. Together, they raised two children: Lindsey, a specialist for Dakota County in Hastings, and Brian, a physical therapist and co-owner of Alex-P.T.

Over the next three decades, Coach Storhaug built Alexandria’s swimming and diving programs into powerhouses of Minnesota high school athletics.

His Girls’ Swimming and Diving teams compiled a 209-115 dual meet record, including an incredible 55-meet winning streak during the mid-1990s. His teams won nine Central Lakes Conference titles and six Section titles. Along the way, 52 athletes earned All-Conference honors, seven were named All-State, and one athlete became a two-time state champion.

The Boys’ teams were equally dominant, finishing with a 225-80 dual meet record. They notched a 50-meet winning streak in the mid-90s, claimed nine Central Lakes Conference titles, and brought home eight Section titles. The boys’ program produced 79 All-Conference athletes, 31 All-State honorees, nine All-America recipients, and nine individual state champions.

Under Mark’s leadership, Alexandria’s Boys’ team achieved historic milestones:

• 1998: Class AA State Runner-Up

• 1999: First “out-state” team to win the Minnesota Class AA State Team Championship

• 2000: Back-to-back Class AA State Team Champions

• 1997-98: Named NISCA Class 2 National Dual Meet Champions

Mark received numerous accolades for his coaching excellence:

• Minnesota State Coaches Association Boys’ Swim Coach of the Year (1999, 2000)

• National Federation of State High School Associations Minnesota Coach of the Year (2000)

• Section Coach of the Year – four times for Girls, three times for Boys

After retiring from swim coaching in 2014, Mark continued to serve the sport and his school by meet-managing nearly every varsity and middle school swim event for the next decade. In 2023, he came out of retirement to return as head coach of the Girls’ Swimming and Diving team. He also currently serves as an assistant coach for the Girls’ Golf team.

Mark Storhaug’s legacy is defined not only by wins and titles, but by decades of dedication, leadership, and positive influence on Alexandria’s student-athletes.