Country Day Hires Two New Winter Sports Coaches

We are excited to announce Tommy Connelly, Jr. as our new men’s head wrestling coach and Katie Slovacek `12 as our interim head swim coach.  

Connelly comes to Cincinnati Country Day with six years of high school wrestling head coaching experience, including stops at Lima Central Catholic and West Carrollton High School. He graduated from the University of Dayton with a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in educational leadership, and a principal’s licensure. 

“Tommy comes to Country Day with experience and a passion for leading a high school wrestling program,” says Athletic Director Dennis Coyle. “Throughout the process, I was impressed with Coach Connelly’s passion for developing kids and helping them achieve on and off the mats.” 

Connelly’s extensive experience in coaching, while also being an educator, makes him an ideal addition to the department’s talented roster of coaches.  
 
“I am passionate about making and maintaining meaningful and lasting connections with students, parents, and community stakeholders,” says Connelly. “I look forward to getting to work with and develop, the great student-athletes we have here at Country Day.”  
 
Katie Slovacek `12 has been a part of the CCDS athletic department since August 2020, serving as an athletic assistant, pool manager, and coaching the Middle School swim team. Slovacek is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where she earned a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in anthropology. 

“Katie is a young coach with a great passion and desire to be a head coach,” says Athletic Director Dennis Coyle. “I am excited to have Katie stepping in as the interim head coach for our swim program. She has attracted two excellent assistant coaches to work with her this season and I am excited to watch the team develop this year.”  

Commenting on her new position, Slovacek says, “I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to add to the rich history of Country Day swimming. It is an honor to be a part of our school’s athletic program and give back to the swim program.” 
 
Slovacek’s connection to Country Day is longstanding. She is a Country Day lifer, which means she has attended Country Day since kindergarten and was on the swim team throughout middle school and high school. Her father, Mike Leonard `83, also swam for and coached the Country Day swim team.  Her daughter, Hailey `32, is in fourth grade and is a lifer.