Mike Lehto
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- Position:
- Head Coach
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- Last College:
- 13th Year
For Mike Lehto, the success of Cleveland State swimming is personal. Lehto, the winningest women's coach in school history, is in his 13th season as the head coach of the women's swim team, but his ties to Cleveland State date back to the early 1980's.
Lehto transferred to CSU in the fall of 1982 after swimming for one year at the University of Pittsburgh. He excelled for the Vikings under the tutelage of current men's head coach Wally Morton, setting a then-school record of 50.70 in the 100 fly in 1984.
After using up his eligibility, Lehto stayed at CSU as the men's assistant coach while finishing his bachelor's degree in geological studies.
After completing his degree, he went on to have an outstanding coaching career on the prep level. Lehto served as the head swimming and diving coach at Gilmour Academy in 1986-87 season before taking the reins at St. Ignatius High School from 1988-1994.
Under Lehto's watch, St. Ignatius emerged as one of the finest swimming programs in Ohio. Lehto led St. Ignatius to state championships in 1992 and '93, was voted Ohio Boy's State Coach of the Year in '92 and was a finalist for the award the following season.
Lehto also enjoyed success as the senior age group coach for the Berea Midpark Swim Club. While serving in that capacity, he produced five junior national qualifiers and 28 high school All-Americans.
Lehto is married to former Cleveland State swimmer Maureen O'Malley and they have four children: Brian, Sean, Nolan and Michael. They reside in Cleveland.
