Former Badger Team Captain Kristy Brager Added To Wisconsin Staff

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

The first addition to Wisconsin swimming and diving head coach Yuri Suguiyama’s staff needs no introduction to Madison.

Former Badgers team captain Kristy Brager is set to return to her alma mater as an assistant coach, Suguiyama announced Wednesday.

“I couldn’t be more excited to get back to where I consider home,” Brager said. “In my talks with Yuri, it feels like a really good connection. I’m excited about his vision and his passion for the program and the amazing new facility that’s coming up.

“To be a part of making this program better has been my dream since I started coaching.”

“From the minute I accepted the job, I thought of Kristy as someone who would be a great fit on our staff,” Suguiyama said. “As I got to know her, I found that her character, values and work ethic make her exactly the type of person I want impacting our student-athletes every day.

“She’s a highly-accomplished, well-respected coach who has created success at every stop of her career, and I’m thrilled for her to get back to Madison. For me, it’s an exciting opportunity to work with a great coach and a fantastic person.”

Brager has amassed a decade worth of experience at three college programs since graduating from UW in 2008, including her most recent two-year stint at Michigan. The Wolverines women claimed Big Ten team titles in both of Brager’s seasons on deck and, in 2018, scored their best NCAA finish in 22 years with a fourth-place showing at the national meet.

Her biggest impact with the Wolverines was in the breaststroke, with seven of the program’s 10 fastest marks in the 100-yard breast coming during Brager’s tenure. She helped Miranda Tucker set school records in the 100 and 200 breast on her way to All-America finishes in both events at the NCAA championships.

Brager also served as women’s recruiting coordinator at Michigan, a role she held at her previous stops at Iowa and George Mason, as well.

During her four-year tenure at Iowa, Brager helped Emma Sougstad set four school records and achieve a top-50 world ranking in the 50-meter breaststroke, while also guiding Roman Tussov to three NCAA championships appearances and a Big Ten runner-up finish in the men’s 100 breast.

Brager’s two seasons at George Mason were highlighted by the success of Ashley Danner, a two-time NCAA runner-up, and Amanda Kendall, a Pan American Games champion. In addition to her coaching and recruiting duties, Brager also oversaw the Patriots’ dryland and weight training programs.

A Green Bay native, Brager was a two-time state champion at Preble High School and became a second-generation Badger when she followed in the footsteps of her mother, Jean, by committing to swim at Wisconsin.

Brager twice earned Academic All-Big Ten honors on her way to graduating from UW with a degree in economics and was named a team captain as a senior.

“Beyond all of her great coaching experience, Kristy is someone who specifically understands what it takes to be successful here in Madison and knows the pride of what it means to excel as a Badger,” Suguiyama said. “I can’t wait for her to get to work with our team.”

Suguiyama also announced Wednesday that UW assistant coaches Neil Caskey and Anton Slobounov would remain on staff.

Caskey will return for his fourth season at Wisconsin and take on additional responsibilities within the program.

“Neil’s character and work ethic are two things that really stand out, and his value to the program stretches beyond the pool deck,” Suguiyama said. “Neil was a part of a winning program at Texas before he got to Madison, and I am going to lean heavily on him to help shape the culture of our teams. I’m looking forward to working with him, but I’m also excited to learn from him.”

Slobounov will return for his seventh year as the Badgers’ diving coach.

“Anton’s commitment to the student-athlete experience and his ability to build relationships really came through the more I got to know him,” Suguiyama said. “We both feel there is great opportunity for more growth in the diving program and I’m excited to support him every way I can.”

The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Wisconsin Swimming and Diving. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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