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Issued: May 23, 2008

KOLLROSS STEPS DOWN AS HEAD SWIMMING & DIVING COACH

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – UW-Eau Claire swimming and diving head coach Jerry Kollross, who has been with the team for three seasons, is stepping down as the Blugolds’ coach to pursue opportunities in teaching, Director of Athletics Scott Kilgallon announced today. A national search will begin immediately to determine the next head coach.

"Jerry has done a great job with the program during his time as head coach," Kilgallon said. "We thank him for his service and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Kollross began his time with the Blugolds as a volunteer coach during the 2005-06 season and was then named interim head coach for the 2006-07 season following former head coach Rob Welcher’s resignation. Kollross then dropped the interim title when he was selected to lead the program last summer. Kollross was assisted this season by Art Brandt (associate head coach), Deb Beachel (diving coach), Noel Ness and Liz Germonprez.

Under Kollross, the swimming and diving team has finished third at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championships the past two years. This season the team showed great improvement, as both the men and women had significant increases in the amount of points they scored at the conference meet.

Kollross’ teams also produced five conference champions, one national participant and a WIAC Scholar-Athlete. During Kollross’ time as interim head coach, Nick Peterson received the WIAC’s Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete, becoming only the eighth Blugold in program history selected for the honor. At the 2007 conference championship, Bryan Dykstra won the one-meter diving event, while this season he repeated as the conference champion in the event. He also advanced to the NCAA Division III Championship and competed in both the one and three-meter events. This season two swimmers were event champions at the conference meet. Amanda Kroger took home top honors in both the 500 and the 1,650-yard freestyles, while Jon Poppele was the conference champion in the 200-yard backstroke.

- KM -

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