Kate Kovenock Named Assistant Women’s Swimming Coach at Notre Dame

NOTRE DAME, Indiana, May 27. KATE Kovenock, who spent four seasons as assistant coach for both the men's and women's swimming programs at Division III powerhouse Kenyon College, has been named assistant women's swimming coach at the University of Notre Dame, it was announced today by head coach Brian Barnes. An 11-time All-American at Connecticut College, she helped Kenyon College to seven (four men's and three women's) NCAA men's and women's team championships during her four-year tenure at the school.

"Kate is a great hire and I am very excited to have her join my staff," Barnes said. "She has a comprehensive understanding of athletics and swimming to will help build Notre Dame into a highly-successful program. Kate is very bright and understands the effort that it takes to compete at a championship level. Her coaching experience at Kenyon has given her great insight into the pace you need to work at to be competitive from year-to-year."

An assistant on the Kenyon staff, the women's team won national titles in 2007-09 after recording a runner-up finish in 2006. During Kovenock's tenure, a total of 32 women's swimmers earned 247 All-America citations, including 11 who earned 10 or more All-America accolades from 2005-09.

She coordinated recruiting efforts for the women's program and was responsible for coaching all training groups. In addition, she designed and implemented Power Rack programs for sprint and stroke groups. Kovenock also served as a liaison with academic services at the College handled many administrative duties with regards to travel, training trips, budgets and scheduling relative to the program.

From 2003-08, she also served as a coach for the Total Performance Elite Sprint Camp at Kenyon College.

Kovenock graduated from Connecticut College with honors and distinction earning her bachelor's degree in philosophy in '05. A four-year member of the women's swimming program from 2001-05, she was the NCAA champion in the 50-yard freestyle at the Division III national championships as a junior in 2004. She garnered 11 All-America accolades in the 50, 100 and 200-yard freestyle events and won 11 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) championships in those races. Kovenock also held NESCAC records in those events. A two-time co-captain of the teams, she finished her career as the school record holder in the 50, 100, 200-yard freestyle and 50 and 100-yard butterfly events.

A member of the Dean's List throughout her four years at Connecticut College, she was a two-time ESPN The Magazine /CoSIDA Academic All-American and twice earned NESCAC All-Academic Team honors. In '04, she was the recipient of the Connecticut College Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts research grant. In her senior year, she also served as a senior admission fellow for the school's Department of Admission and also was a four-year member of the Athletic Advisory Board for Student-Athletes.

"I am very excited to join Brian's staff and become a part of the Notre Dame community," Kovenock said. "In coming to the University, I had put into my mind a picture as to what it would be like here. It really struck me during the interview process what an impressive experience Notre Dame offers to its student-athletes and the resources and facilities that exist at the school. I look forward to the opportunity to be part of the swimming program here."

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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