Zack Kundel Named Head Coach At Smith College

Photo Courtesy: Smith Athletics

Smith College Director of Athletics and Recreation, Kristin Hughes, has announced that Zack Kundel M.S. ’17 has been hired as the head coach of the women’s swimming team. Kundel takes over for Kim Bierwert who is stepping down after 40 years leading the Pioneers.

“Zack is a promising young coach who will work hard to maintain the success that Kim Beirwert has built here at Smith,” said Hughes. “His strong technical skills combined with his belief in Smith College will allow him to lead this program in a way that will be significant.”

Said Kundel: “I could not be more excited to be named the next head coach of Smith College Swimming. I want to thank Kristin Hughes, Kim Bierwert, the current student-athletes and alumnae, the Athletic and ESS departments, and the college for their support and confidence in me. I have immense respect for the Wild Bunch and I am honored to be able to add to the storied history of excellence and success of Smith College Swimming and Diving.”

Kundel spent the last two years as the assistant swimming and diving coach at Smith College while earning his Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Studies. While at Smith, he assisted in all aspects of collegiate coaching, including recruiting, arranging team travel, managing the social media accounts, fundraising, and practice planning and implementation. Additionally, he was an assistant coach of the Smith College U.S. Masters Swimming program.

Prior to Smith, Kundel worked with the Boston College swimming and diving team and was the assistant aquatics director at Charles River Aquatics. In July of 2016, he was an assistant coach at the Stanford Nike Swim Camp.

At Ithaca College, Kundel was a four-year member of the swimming and diving team, setting three school records and earning three All-America Honorable mentions. He was named the Ithaca College Male Senior Athlete of the Year after his final season.

Press Release courtesy of Smith Athletics.

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