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Niemeier to guide Fighting Scots
swimming
Release Date:
July 29, 2009
MONMOUTH, Ill. —
Monmouth
College completed an extensive nationwide search for a new swim
coach by naming assistant coach Kurt Niemeier to that
position over a wide range of quality candidates.
“I’m very pleased
with the decision to hire Kurt,” said athletic director Roger
Haynes. “It was a blend of all of his qualifications that made
him stand out in a very good pool of candidates.”
Niemeier, of
Orland Park, Ill., is a recent Monmouth graduate and decorated
member of the swim team, but his hiring wasn’t simply a case of
looking within Monmouth’s ranks. His status as a certified pool
operator (CPO) helped the first-year coach land the job.
“It was really a
blend of three areas that made Kurt the best candidate in my mind,”
explained Haynes. “As a CPO, he will be able to offer swimming and
lifeguarding courses as well as maintain our pool. That makes him a
valuable asset to our department. It’s not often you find a CPO in
the athletic department. At many institutions, they are employed
outside of the department. Obviously, he proved to be a very good
assistant coach last season and we’re very happy he is continuing
his post-graduate education. In the future, Kurt will ultimately
teach in the exercise science and health-related fields.”
Niemeier competed
for the Fighting Scots during his sophomore and junior years before
an injury forced an early end to his collegiate career. A sprint
specialist, he won Midwest Conference titles in the 50- and 100-yard
freestyles in 2007, becoming the first Monmouth swimmer to win two
conference titles in the same season since 1969. Niemeier
successfully defended his title in the 50 freestyle in 2008 and was
on the winning 200 medley relay team that year. His four league
titles ties him for second as the Scots’ most decorated swimmer.
Niemeier also holds two individual school records and was on four
record-holding relay teams.
“I am very
grateful for the opportunity that Monmouth has given me,” said
Niemeier. “The college gave me so much during my time as a student.
Now, I hope to be able to repay that debt by representing Monmouth
as a full-time member of the coaching staff. I look forward to the
challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
The first-year
head coach should be well-prepared for some of those coaching
challenges. In 2008, interim coach Dave Yez – a long-time
assistant with the Scots – named Niemeier his top aide. Niemeier was
responsible for running the men’s workouts and establishing a
training program. Under their guidance, Monmouth’s men placed second
at last season’s conference championships for the third straight
year and won three individual events.
Niemeier inherits
a men’s program that has captured 11 individual and relay conference
titles since the program was reinstated in 2005. The men have won
three MWC events in each of the last three years.
For his inaugural
season, Niemeier will return the entire roster of women’s swimmers
including 200-yard breaststroke champion Krysta Sparks. Among
the 15 returnees for the men’s team are defending 500- and 1650-yard
freestyle champion Andrew Wright and 200-yard freestyle title holder
Josh Dunn.
“The previous
coaches have left the program on a very solid foundation and I’m
looking forward to taking the teams to the next level,” said
Niemeier. “It’s quite an honor to be selected to lead a team I once
swam on. My goal is for both teams to become full-fledged contenders
on the conference AND national levels. We’ve been very good
conference-wise in the past, but now it’s time to advance the
program even further.”
The Scots will
have their first practice under Niemeier on Oct. 1.
Men's
Swimming |
Women's Swimming
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