2006-07 WIAC Men's Swimming & Diving Season Headlines

2006-07 WIAC Men's Swimming & Diving Headlines

UW-Stevens Point Places 12th, UW-La Crosse 23rd at NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship

RELEASED: Saturday, March 17, 2007

Houston, Texas--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point placed 12th and UW-La Crosse finished 23rd at the 2007 NCAA Division III Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship, which was held at the University of Houston’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium on March 15-17. The event was hosted by the University of Houston and the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority.

The Pointers registered 102 points, while the Eagles compiled 48 points during the three-day event.

Kenyon College (Ohio) won its 28th straight national championship with 570 points. Denison University (Ohio) placed second with 351 points, followed by Emory University (Ga.) in third with 318 points, Williams College (Mass.) in fourth with 305 points and Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) in fifth with 225 points.

UW-Stevens Point’s Chase Gross had the best individual performance for the conference after finishing third in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 49.11. He also registered an eighth-place performance in the 50-yard freestyle with a mark of 20.66.

The Pointers had three relay teams perform well at the national meet, highlighted by the seventh-place time of 3:26.07 from the 400-yard medley relay squad of Matt Meyer, Ben Gensler, Rob Donisch and Gross. The 200-yard freestyle relay team finished eighth, while the 200-yard medley relay team placed ninth.

UW-La Crosse’s 200-yard freestyle quartet of Matthew Diehl, Christopher Boyle, Adam Carlson and Tony Wolff finished seventh with a time of 1:23.06.

The Eagles received an 11th-place standing from the 400-yard freestyle relay team and 14th-place finishes from the 800-yard freestyle relay team and 400-yard medley relay team.

The top eight finishers in each event claimed All-America honors, while places 9-16 earned honorable mention All-America status.

WIAC All-Americans:

50-Yard Freestyle: Chase Gross (UW-Stevens Point-8th)

200-Yard Breaststroke: Ben Gensler (UW-Stevens Point-8th)

100-Yard Butterfly: Chase Gross (UW-Stevens Point-3rd)

200-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-La Crosse (Matthew Diehl, Christopher Boyle, Adam Carlson, Tony Wolff-7th), UW-Stevens Point (Chase Gross, Kyle Hartl, Willie Clapp, Rob Donisch-8th)

400-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-La Crosse (Matthew Diehl, Christopher Boyle, Mike Beilman, Tony Wolff-11th)

800-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-La Crosse (Matthew Diehl, Tony Wolff, Christopher Boyle, Mike Beilman-14th)

200-Yard Medley Relay: UW-Stevens Point (Willie Clapp, Ben Gensler, Kyle Hartl, Chase Gross-9th)

400-Yard Medley Relay: UW-Stevens Point (Matt Meyer, Ben Gensler, Rob Donisch, Chase Gross-7th), UW-La Crosse (Adam Carlson, Matthew Diehl, Mike Beilman, Tony Wolff-14th)

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UW-Eau Claire’s Peterson Named Men’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete

RELEASED: Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Nick Peterson has been named the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Men’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete.

A senior from Lake Elmo, Minn. (North St. Paul H.S.), Peterson is majoring in biology with a minor in pre-professional health and carries a 3.61 grade point average. He has been recognized on UW-Eau Claire’s Dean’s List numerous semesters.

Peterson, who served as a team captain a year ago, recorded a fifth-place finish in the 400-yard individual medley and a sixth-place standing in the 200-yard individual medley at this year’s conference championship. He was also a member of the Blugolds’ 800-yard freestyle relay team that placed third. Peterson is the oldest of three Peterson brothers on the Blugold swim team, joining freshman Joe and sophomore Bill.

He becomes the eighth individual in school history to win the league’s men’s swimming and diving scholar-athlete honor, joining Steve Hollman (1986 & 1987), John Friedrichs (1990), Randy Mortenson (1992), Bill Underwood (1993), Greg Murray (1994), Matt Welch (1995) and Matt Oglesby (2002).

Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were UW-Stevens Point’s Jeff Nelson (Sr., Bowling Green, Ohio) and Christopher Shea (Sr., Winona, Minn./Cotter).

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger and sponsored by Hewlett-Packard. Sparger served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference from July, 1971 - July, 1993.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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Pein Named Coach of the Year

RELEASED: Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse men’s swimming and diving head coach Rich Pein has been named the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Coach of the Year, which was determined by voting among the league coaches.

Pein directed the Eagles to a second-place finish at the 2007 WIAC championship for the seventh straight season.

This marks the fourth time in his career Pein has won the award. He also claimed the prize in 1992, 1995 and 2001.

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UW-Stevens Point Captures Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships

RELEASED: Saturday, February 17, 2007

Stevens Point, Wis.--For the second straight year, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point captured both the men’s and women’s titles at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) swimming and diving championships, which were held at UW-Stevens Point’s Health Enhancement Center.

The men’s team won the league crown for the eighth consecutive season and 11th time in school history, while the women secured the WIAC trophy for the second straight year and fourth time in program history.

In the men’s competition, the Pointers totaled 914 points during the three-day meet to outdistance UW-La Crosse for the seventh straight year. The Eagles finished with 882 points, followed by UW-Eau Claire in third with 507 points, UW-Whitewater in fourth with 457 points, UW-Oshkosh in fifth with 310 points and UW-River Falls in sixth with 175 points.

In the women’s race, UW-Stevens Point compiled 993.50 points to surpass UW-La Crosse’s second-place total of 900.50 points. UW-Eau Claire finished third with 460.50 points, followed by UW-Whitewater in fourth with 365 points, UW-Oshkosh in fifth with 244 points and UW-River Falls in sixth with 199.50 points.

UW-Stevens Point’s men’s team secured three individual titles during the final day of competition. Chase Gross captured the 100-yard freestyle for the second straight year with a NCAA “B” qualifying time of 46.47 to earn his second title of the meet. He won the 200-yard freestyle yesterday.

The Pointers’ Ben Gensler established a pool record and NCAA “B” qualifying mark in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:04.90. It marked the second consecutive year he has won the event and his second title of the championship after winning the 100-yard breaststroke a day ago.

Rob Donisch also earned his second title in as many days, winning the 200-yard butterfly with a clocking of 1:55.72.

UW-La Crosse’s Anthony Schmidt defended his title in the 200-yard backstroke with a mark of 1:55.73. It was his third trophy during the championship after he won the 200-yard individual medley and 400-yard individual medley. Schmidt was named the Swimmer of the Meet for his performances.

The Eagles’ Karl Richters claimed the 1,650-yard freestyle for the third consecutive season with a time of 16:44.83. He is just the second individual to win the event three straight years, joining UW-Whitewater’s Mike Foss (1983-85).

UW-La Crosse also won their fourth relay title at the league competition when the 400-yard freestyle relay team of Matthew Diehl, Christopher Boyle, Michael Beilman and Anthony Wolff established a pool record and NCAA “B” qualifying time of 3:05.78.

UW-Oshkosh’s Jacob Chadderdon won the three-meter diving competition with a score of 510.45 and was voted the Diver of the Meet for the second straight year.

UW-Stevens Point’s women’s squad captured all five individual titles and the relay crown during the third day of events. Abby Strobel won the 200-yard backstroke for the second consecutive season with a NCAA “B” qualifying time of 2:08.16. She was voted the Swimmer of the Meet after earning her third individual title of the championship. Strobel also captured the 200-yard individual medley and 400-yard individual medley trophies.

Kristen Bennett claimed the 200-yard breaststroke with a NCAA “B” qualifying mark of 2:24.74. She also won the 100-yard breaststroke yesterday.

Caitlin Hake captured her second title of the championship, winning the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 52.59 and establishing a NCAA “B” performance, while Kari Slawson also earned her second crown of the meet after finishing first in the 1,650-yard freestyle with a clocking of 18:00.09. On Thursday, Hake won the 50-yard freestyle and Slawson earned the 500-yard freestyle title.

Amy Bennett placed first in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:11.71.

The Pointers’ 400-yard freestyle relay quartet of Kesley Crunstedt, Jerica Crook, Beth Bard and Hake surpassed the NCAA “B” qualifying mark with a time of 3:33.70. It was UW-Stevens Point’s third relay title at the championship.

UW-La Crosse’s Amanda Medendorp earned the Diver of the Meet award for the second straight season after winning both diving events during the first two days of the meet.

UW-Stevens Point head coach Al Boelk was voted the league’s women’s coach of the year for the third straight season and fifth time in his career. He also won the award 2000 and 2003.

UW-La Crosse head coach Rich Pein was named the WIAC men’s coach of the year for the fourth time in his career. He also claimed the honor in 1992, 1995 and 2001.

UW-Eau Claire’s Nick Peterson was selected the conference’s Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete, while UW-Stevens Point’s Beth Bard earned the Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete award.

Men’s Swimmer of the Meet: Anthony Schmidt of UW-La Crosse
Men’s Diver of the Meet: Jacob Chadderdon of UW-Oshkosh
Men’s Coach of the Year: Rich Pein of UW-La Crosse
Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete: Nick Peterson of UW-Eau Claire

Women’s Swimmer of the Meet: Abby Strobel of UW-Stevens Point
Women’s Diver of the Meet: Amanda Medendorp of UW-La Crosse
Women’s Coach of the Year: Al Boelk of UW-Stevens Point
Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete: Beth Bard of UW-Stevens Point

Final Team Scores
Men
1. UW-Stevens Point 993.50
2. UW-La Crosse 900.50
3. UW-Eau Claire 460.50
4. UW-Whitewater 365
5. UW-Oshkosh 244
6. UW-River Falls 199.50

Women
1. UW-Stevens Point 914
2. UW-La Crosse 882
3. UW-Eau Claire 507
4. UW-Whitewater 457
5. UW-Oshkosh 310
6. UW-River Falls 175

Day Three Champions
Men
100-Yard Freestyle: Chase Gross (UW-Stevens Point), 46.47
1,650-Yard Freestyle: Karl Richters (UW-La Crosse), 16:44.83
200-Yard Butterfly: Rob Donisch (UW-Stevens Point), 1:55.72
200-Yard Backstroke: Anthony Schmidt (UW-La Crosse), 1:55.73
200-Yard Breaststroke: Ben Gensler (UW-Stevens Point), 2:04.90
Three-Meter Diving: Jacob Chadderdon (UW-Oshkosh), 510.45

400-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-La Crosse (Matthew Diehl, Christopher Boyle, Michael Beilman, Anthony Wolff), 3:05.78

Women
100-Yard Freestyle: Caitlin Hake (UW-Stevens Point), 52.59
1,650-Yard Freestyle: Kari Slawson (UW-Stevens Point), 18:00.09
200-Yard Butterfly: Amy Bennett (UW-Stevens Point), 2:11.71
200-Yard Backstroke: Abby Strobel (UW-Stevens Point), 2:08.16
200-Yard Breaststroke: Kristen Bennett (UW-Stevens Point), 2:24.74

400-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-Stevens Point (Kelsey Crunstedt, Jerica Crook, Beth Bard, Caitlin Hake), 3:33.70

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UW-La Crosse Men, UW-Stevens Point Women Hold Slim Leads at Swimming & Diving Championships

RELEASED: Friday, February 16, 2007

Stevens Point, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s men’s team and UW-Stevens Point’s women’s team hold slim leads following the second of three days of competition at the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) swimming and diving championships at UW-Stevens Point.

UW-La Crosse’s men’s squad has compiled 591 points and holds a two-point lead over seven-time defending champion UW-Stevens Point. The Pointers have totaled 589 points and are followed by UW-Eau Claire (307 points), UW-Whitewater (301 points), UW-Oshkosh (209 points) and UW-River Falls (131 points).

UW-Stevens Point’s women’s team, the defending conference champion, has totaled 661.50 points. The Pointers are followed by UW-La Crosse (649.50 points), UW-Eau Claire (307.50 points), UW-Whitewater (258 points), UW-Oshkosh (189 points) and UW-River Falls (158.50 points).

UW-Stevens Point’s men’s team captured four individual titles during the second day of competition. Chase Gross won the 200-yard freestyle for the second straight year with a NCAA “B” qualifying time of 1:42.83, while Ben Gensler also established a “B”-cut mark in winning the 100-yard breaststroke in 58.33.

The Pointers’ Rob Donisch secured the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 52.15 and Willie Clapp was victorious in the 100-yard backstroke with a mark of 54.05.

UW-La Crosse’s Anthony Schmidt won his second championship in as many days, finishing first in the 400-yard individual medley for the third consecutive season with a NCAA “B” qualifying clocking of 4:10.66. He claimed the 200-yard individual medley title yesterday.

The Eagles also won both relay events during Friday’s competition. The 200-yard medley relay quartet of Adam Carlson, Cole Swanson, Anthony Wolff and Matthew Diehl finished first with a NCAA “B” qualifying performance of 1:34.21.

Diehl, Karl Richters, Joel Coyne and Michael Beilman set a pool record and NCAA “B” qualifying time en route to winning the 800-yard freestyle relay in 6:57.74.

The men’s three-meter diving competition will be completed tomorrow.

In the women’s race, UW-Stevens Point claimed four individual titles and one relay trophy during the second of competition. The Pointers were led by Abby Strobel, who captured her second title in as many days, winning the 400-yard individual medley in 4:40.67. She claimed the 200-yard individual medley crown yesterday.

The Pointers’ Meghan Walsh won the 100-yard butterfly for the third straight season with a clocking of 59.90, while Jerica Crook claimed the 200-yard freestyle in 1:57.83 and Kristen Bennett was victorious in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:08.28.

Crook, Stephanie Boehme, Bridget Gormley and Alissa Colbert teamed to win the 800-yard freestyle relay with a time of 7:56.70.

UW-La Crosse’s Amanda Medendorp established a conference record in the one-meter diving competition with a score of 453.75, surpassing the previous total of 440.95 set by UW-Eau Claire’s Sara Mulatz in 1996. This marked the second straight year Medendorp has won the one-meter event. She also claimed the three-meter board yesterday.

The Eagles’ Kristi Parker secured the 100-yard backstroke with a NCAA “B” qualifying mark of 59.94. She also teamed with Brianna Peyer, Kelly Hackbarth and Clare Hathaway to set a pool record and establish a NCAA “B” performance with a time of 1:48.50 in the 200-yard medley relay.

Competition at the WIAC championships continues tomorrow with prelims at 10 a.m. and the finals at 6 p.m.

Day Two Champions
Men
200-Yard Freestyle: Chase Gross (UW-Stevens Point), 1:42.83
100-Yard Butterfly: Rob Donisch (UW-Stevens Point), 52.15
100-Yard Backstroke: Willie Clapp (UW-Stevens Point), 54.05
100-Yard Breaststroke: Ben Gensler (UW-Stevens Point), 58.33
400-Yard Individual Medley: Anthony Schmidt (UW-La Crosse), 4:10.66

800-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-La Crosse (Karl Richters, Matthew Diehl, Joel Coyne, Michael Beilman), 6:57.74

200-Yard Medley Relay: UW-La Crosse (Adam Carlson, Cole Swanson, Anthony Wolff, Matthew Diehl), 1:34.21

Women
200-Yard Freestyle: Jerica Crook (UW-Stevens Point), 1:57.83
100-Yard Butterfly: Meghan Walsh (UW-Stevens Point), 59.90
100-Yard Backstroke: Kristi Parker (UW-La Crosse), 59.94
100-Yard Breaststroke: Kristen Bennett (UW-Stevens Point), 1:08.28
400-Yard Individual Medley: Abby Strobel (UW-Stevens Point), 4:40.67
One-Meter Diving: Amanda Medendorp (UW-La Crosse), 453.75*

800-Yard Freestyle Relay: UW-Stevens Point (Jerica Crook, Stephanie Boehme, Bridget Gormley, Alissa Colbert), 7:56.70

200-Yard Medley Relay: UW-La Crosse (Kristi Parker, Brianna Peyer, Kelly Hackbarth, Clare Hathaway), 1:48.50

*Conference Record

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UW-Stevens Point Holds First Day Lead at Swimming and Diving Championships

RELEASED: Thursday, February 15, 2007

Stevens Point, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s men’s and women’s teams lead the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) swimming and diving championships following the first of three days of competition at UW-Stevens Point.

The seven-time defending champion men’s squad compiled 261 points to outdistance UW-La Crosse with 260 points. The Eagles are followed by UW-Whitewater (141 points), UW-Eau Claire (139 points), UW-Oshkosh (116 points) and UW-River Falls (56 points).

UW-Stevens Point’s women’s squad, which claimed last year’s championship, totaled 292.50 points. UW-La Crosse is second with 270 points, followed by UW-Eau Claire (120 points), UW-Whitewater (95 points), UW-Oshkosh (86 points) and UW-River Falls (78.50 points).

In the men’s race, UW-La Crosse secured three individual titles and one relay crown. Matthew Diehl captured the 50-yard freestyle with a NCAA “B” qualifying time of 20.80, while Joel Coyne won the 500-yard freestyle with a performance of 4:44.96 and Anthony Schmidt claimed the 200-yard individual medley with a clocking of 1:55.72.

The Eagles’ 200-yard freestyle relay team of Diehl, Christopher Boyle, Adam Carlson and Anthony Wolff established a NCAA “B” qualifying time of 1:23.55 en route to winning the event.

UW-Eau Claire’s Bryan Dykstra claimed the one-meter diving competition with 480.10 points.

UW-Stevens Point’s Matt Meyer, Ben Gensler, Rob Donisch and Chase Gross earned a NCAA “B” qualifying time in winning the 400-yard medley relay with a performance of 3:26.86.

In the women’s contest, defending champion UW-Stevens Point claimed three individual titles and one relay crown during the opening day of events. Caitlin Hake defended her title in the 50-yard freestyle with a NCAA “B” qualifying time of 24.14, while Abby Strobel protected her crown in the 200-yard individual medley with a performance of 2:12.15 and Kari Slawson claimed the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:12.49.

UW-Stevens Point’s 400-yard medley relay team of Strobel, Trish Nye, Meghan Walsh and Hake finished first, posting a NCAA “B” qualifying performance of 3:57.97.

UW-La Crosse’s Amanda Medendorp won the three-meter diving competition for the second straight year with a score of 480.25, while Clare Hathaway, Brianna Peyer, Danielle Rux and Heather Vogts teamed to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:38.46.

Day One Champions
Men
50-Yard Freestyle--Matthew Diehl (UW-La Crosse), 20.80
500-Yard Freestyle--Joel Coyne (UW-La Crosse), 4:44.96
200-Yard Individual Medley--Anthony Schmidt (UW-La Crosse), 1:55.72
One-Meter Diving--Bryan Dykstra (UW-Eau Claire), 480.10

200-Yard Freestyle Relay--UW-La Crosse (Matthew Diehl, Christopher Boyle, Adam Carlson, Anthony Wolff), 1:23.55

400-Yard Medley Relay--UW-Stevens Point (Matt Meyer, Ben Gensler, Rob Donisch, Chase Gross), 3:26.86

Women
50-Yard Freestyle--Caitlin Hake (UW-Stevens Point), 24.14
500-Yard Freestyle--Kari Slawson (UW-Stevens Point), 5:12.49
200-Yard Individual Medley--Abby Strobel (UW-Stevens Point), 2:12.15
Three-Meter Diving--Amanda Medendorp (UW-La Crosse), 480.25

200-Yard Freestyle Relay--UW-La Crosse (Clare Hathaway, Brianna Peyer, Danielle Rux, Heather Vogts), 1:38.46

400-Yard Medley Relay--UW-Stevens Point (Abby Strobel, Trish Nye, Meghan Walsh, Caitlin Hake), 3:57.97

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Blugold Swim Program Makes Coaching Change

RELEASED: Monday, September 11, 2006

Eau Claire, Wis.--Rob Welcher has stepped down as the UW-Eau Claire head men's and women's swim coach and Director of Athletics Scott Kilgallon has named Jerry Kollross to take his place for the 2006-07 academic year.

Kilgallon also announced that assistant coach Art Brandt has been elevated to Associate Head Swim Coach and Debi Beachel will return as the men's and women's diving coach.

Welcher has been the head coach for the past five years and was the WIAC women's co-Coach of the Year in 2004-05. The Blugold men have finished third in the WIAC the past five years and the women third the past four years.

Kollross is a 1984 UW-La Crosse graduate with a bachelor's degree in marketing. He will finish his MBA from UW-Eau Claire in December. While at La Crosse, Kollross was a two-time conference champion in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle, setting conference records at the time. He also was an NAIA national champion in the 50 and 100 freestyle in 1984 and still holds the UWL school records in those events. He has since been inducted into the UWL Athletic Wall of Fame.

Last year, Kollross was a volunteer assistant for the Blugold men's and women's programs and also served as a volunteer for the Memorial High School girls' team for two years. He was the head coach at Maple Bluff Country Club in Madison for two years and served two years as a volunteer assistant for the legendary coach Jack Pettinger at UW-Madison.

Kollross qualified and swam in the Olympic Trials in 1988 and in 2000 set a Minnesota Masters swimming state record in the 50 freestyle.

Since his graduation from La Crosse, Kollross has been involved in various business capacities across the country. He is currently president and owner of Top Golf Products L.L.C. in Eau Claire, selling golf event programs and products to corporate customers including Pepsi Cola and American Family Insurance.

He and his wife Linda have three daughters: Katie, Taylor and Alexis, and have resided in Eau Claire for the past eight years.

Brandt, a former Menomonie High School swim coach and teacher, has been a Blugold assistant coach the past three seasons. He also teaches in the university's special education department.

Beachel is entering her 12th season as the head diving coach for the Blugolds. During her tenure, she has qualified a diver for the national championships in all but one season. She was named the Division III Men's Diving Coach of the Year on three occasions. Under her tutelage, John Karpe won NCAA diving championships in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

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Rollings Named UW-Whitewater Swim Coordinator

RELEASED: Thursday, August 31, 2006

Whitewater, Wis.--Joel Rollings has been named swimming and diving coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Rollings swam competitively for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1991-1993) and has coached at the high school, club and collegiate level.

"Joel brings a wealth of coaching experience that will aid our student athletes immensely," UW-W director of athletics Dr. Paul Plinske said. "What intrigues me most about Joel is his passion for the student athlete, his level of integrity, and his understanding of building a successful program."

Rollings most recently served as the interim assistant swim coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee last fall. Prior to that he was the head coach for the Germantown (WI) Swim Club for four years. From 1998-2000 Rollings was the head age group coach for the highly respected Phillips 66 Splash Club in Oklahoma (1996-98), preceded by a stint as a graduate assistant coach for Texas Christian University (1996-98). His first coaching job, from 1992-96, was as the head boy's and girl's coach at Grafton (WI) High School.

Rollings swam for UW-Milwaukee (1991-93), and graduated from UW-M in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. While in school he also played fro the Milwaukee Water Polo Club. He received a master's in liberal arts from Texas Christian in 1998.

Rollings is the coaches representative for Wisconsin Master's Swimming, and the Senior Chair for Wisconsin Swimming. He has also served as a USA Swimming Zone Site Selection Committee member, and has attended several age group conferences and workshops. He has certifications in Red Cross First Aid, Red Cross CPR, use of an automated external defibrillator, lifeguard training, coaches safety training, and a holds a certified pool operator's license.

Rollings takes over for Debbie Thompson, who left in June to take a position in Indiana.

"Debbie Thompson was a highly regarded professional on our campus and in the swimming community," Plinske noted. "It was very important for me to build on her establishment with someone of Joel's caliber. We are very excited to move this program forward with Joel Rollings as our next head swimming and diving coach."

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