Coaches head out, swim in (pt.2)
Lawrence swim coach hired for Chargers
Andy Buss
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News
The athletic department confirmed Wednesday that Kurt Kirner, the head swim coach at Lawrence University for 17 years, will take over as head coach for the Hillsdale College swim team Sept. 24.
Swimmer Kathryn Herrmann, a junior, said Kirner was more experienced than the other prospects and has a genuine respect for the school's principles and mission.
Kirner was named Midwest Conference Coach of the Year in 2006-07 and led Lawrence, a Division II school, to a 2nd-place finish in their conference.
"He really wants to be here," Herrmann said. "He's excited about Hillsdale College and what it stands for. We want someone who is as excited to be here as we are."
Herrmann said she felt the hire was a good fit.
Although Athletic Director Michael Kovalchik made the final decision in hiring Kirner, the team had a say in the process once the candidates were narrowed down to three.
With the summer resignation of Mary Anne Gerzanick-Liebowitz to be with her husband in Portland, Ore., and also the resignation of assistant coach Stephanie Bodytak at the end of last season, the swim team started practices without a coaching staff. Until now, the team's captains, juniors Anne Verhoef and Ali Lanctot, had taken on coaching responsibilities.
"It's been going very well," Verhoef said. "It's the same thing we would do if we had a coach."
Verhoef said the team is "really young this year" and has been able to maintain enthusiasm and stay in stride despite not having a coach.
Ready to dive into the season with a fresh face at the head, the team anticipates its first meet Oct. 6.
"We're looking forward to some new changes," Herrmann said. "It's going to be an adventure."
Swimmer Kathryn Herrmann, a junior, said Kirner was more experienced than the other prospects and has a genuine respect for the school's principles and mission.
Kirner was named Midwest Conference Coach of the Year in 2006-07 and led Lawrence, a Division II school, to a 2nd-place finish in their conference.
"He really wants to be here," Herrmann said. "He's excited about Hillsdale College and what it stands for. We want someone who is as excited to be here as we are."
Herrmann said she felt the hire was a good fit.
Although Athletic Director Michael Kovalchik made the final decision in hiring Kirner, the team had a say in the process once the candidates were narrowed down to three.
With the summer resignation of Mary Anne Gerzanick-Liebowitz to be with her husband in Portland, Ore., and also the resignation of assistant coach Stephanie Bodytak at the end of last season, the swim team started practices without a coaching staff. Until now, the team's captains, juniors Anne Verhoef and Ali Lanctot, had taken on coaching responsibilities.
"It's been going very well," Verhoef said. "It's the same thing we would do if we had a coach."
Verhoef said the team is "really young this year" and has been able to maintain enthusiasm and stay in stride despite not having a coach.
Ready to dive into the season with a fresh face at the head, the team anticipates its first meet Oct. 6.
"We're looking forward to some new changes," Herrmann said. "It's going to be an adventure."
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