Petra Martin to Join Arkansas Swimming & Diving Staff As Assistant Coach

Photo Courtesy: Arkansas Swim & Dive Twitter (@RazorbackSD)

Arkansas women’s swimming and diving head coach Neil Harper has announced the hiring of assistant coach Petra Martin to the 2020-21 coaching staff. Martin joins the Razorbacks after serving as a volunteer assistant coach last season for the Ivy League runner-up Princeton men’s program.

Petra Martin was the Head Women’s Coach of Rutgers University from 2015-17 as she transformed the Big Ten program that moved up two places at the conference championships and scored at the 2016 and 2017 NCAA Championships. In 2017 she was an assistant coach for the Czech World University Games Team. Before Rutgers, Martin had a successful five-year stint at Bowling Green State University that included three Top 3 finishes in the MAC Championships and a Coach of the Year award in 2013.

“I have known Petra Martin for 20 years as a student-athlete, assistant coach and two-time head coach,” Harper said. “She has used her international experience and national coaching connections to recruit and coach swimmers to the highest levels in our sport. Our program really has great momentum and a team chemistry and culture second to none. I am excited to have a coach like Petra with her vast experience and success help continue to take our program to the next level. I look forward to her eventually meeting our team and help us continue to build our program with future Razorback swimmers and divers who realize the nationally ranked academic programs, first-class facilities and opportunities on our beautiful campus.”

In the pool, Petra Martin was an All-ACC standout at Maryland and was an NCAA Honorable Mention All-American in the 200 and 400 Free Relays. She swam internationally for the Czech Republic and was ranked top 25 in the world in 2000 in the 50 free and 50 fly. She also excelled in the classroom and earning Academic All-America honors each year during her career.

“My family and I would like to thank Head Coach Neil Harper, Vice Chancellor and Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek and Associate Athletic Director Tracey Stehlik for the opportunity to join the Razorback family,” Petra Martin said.

“Coach Harper has been building one of the fastest rising programs in the country and I am honored to join him on the quest to become a perennial top program in the nation. I am excited to provide Razorback student-athletes with the best opportunities to grow and achieve their potential in their personal lives, academic careers and in the athletic arena. I would also like to say thank you to Head Coach Matt Crispino, Athletic Director Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Assistant Coach Doug Lennox and all the student-athletes and staff I had the opportunity to work with at Princeton University. I will always cherish my time with Princeton and wish them every success.”

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

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