Melanie Klaren Announced as Volunteer Assistant at Duke

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University head swimming and diving coach Dan Colella has announced the addition of Melanie Klaren to the program. The former Cal captain joins the Blue Devil staff as a volunteer assistant coach.

“We are thrilled to have Melanie joining us this season,” Colella said. “She brings a wealth of swimming experience at the highest levels and will no doubt be a great mentor for our athletes. Her love of the sport is very evident and I know she is excited to help our up-and-coming program reach new heights.”

Klaren comes to Durham after announcing her retirement from competition following the past week’s 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. In Omaha, she took 22nd in the 100-meter backstroke and 27th at the 200-meter distance.

Last summer, Klaren represented the United States at the 2015 World University Games in Gwangju City, South Korea. She was previously a member of the 2008-09 USA Swimming junior national team.

During her collegiate career at California, Klaren scored at all four NCAA Championship meets to earn individual All-America honors. As a senior, she took third in the 100-yard backstroke and sixth in the 200 backstroke at NCAAs and captained the squad to the 2015 NCAA team title. The Golden Bears also captured back-to-back Pac-12 championships in 2014 and 2015.

Klaren ranks sixth all-time in Cal history in the 200-yard backstroke (1:51.83), seventh in the 100 backstroke (51.31) and eighth in the 500 freestyle (4:39.25).

“I am extremely excited to begin this next chapter of my life with Duke University,” Klaren said. “While I close the door on my own swimming career, I look forward to opening a new one giving back to the sport that has given so much to me. I have been continually impressed with the progress Duke has made over the past several years and hope to add to what Dan and his staff have built. I fell in love with the family aspect at Duke and am thrilled to bring my passion for the sport and experience to this wonderful program.”

A native of Laguna Nieguel, Calif., Klaren completed her prep career at Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo, Calif., where she was a three-time CIF champion in the 200 freestyle. She also competed with the Mission Viejo Nadadores club program.

Klaren graduated from Cal in 2015 with a degree in history.

Duke University contributed this report.

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