Wittenberg Hires Natalie Koukis As Swimming And Diving Head Coach
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Wittenberg University Director of Athletics and Recreation Garnett Purnell has announced that Natalie Koukis is the choice as the Tigers' new head coach for men's and women's swimming and diving.
Natalie Koukis will now patrol the Wittenberg Natatorium pool deck
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Wittenberg University Director of Athletics and Recreation Garnett Purnell has announced that Natalie Koukis is the choice as the Tigers' new head coach for men's and women's swimming and diving. She replaces Leslie Ramsey, who announced her resignation in April after three years in the position.
Koukis is no stranger to the state of Ohio or the North Coast Athletic Conference. A native of Delaware, Ohio, Koukis was a two-year letterwinner at Ohio Wesleyan University after transferring from George Washington University. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and women's studies. She also minored in sociology.
After graduation, Koukis served as an assistant men's and women's swim coach at her alma mater from 1999 to 2001. In addition, she was the head assistant coach of the Delaware U.S. Club Team between 1997 and 2001. She possesses Red Cross certifications as a Water Safety Instructor and a Lifeguard Instructor and in Safety Training for Swim Coaches.
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the Wittenberg community," Koukis said. "Wittenberg is a well-established academic institution with a highly regarded athletics program."
Koukis comes to Wittenberg after two years as head men's and women's swimming and diving coach, director of aquatics and instructor of physical education at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. During her time at WPI, Koukis led both the men's and women's teams to their highest finishes ever in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference. More than a dozen swimmers received special recognition, including four All-New England, five all-conference and eight academic all-conference designations. In addition, the teams set more than 20 new school records in her two seasons.
Prior to her arrival at WPI, Koukis served as assistant women's swim coach at Ithaca College in 2001-02, where she also served as an instructor of physical education. She also worked at Ithaca with Sport Psychology Professor Greg Shelley as a teaching and research assistant. She graduated from Ithaca in 2002 with a master's degree in exercise and sport science, with a concentration in sport psychology.
"I am looking forward to upholding the exceptional standards of Wittenberg's swimming and diving program and competing in the NCAC, which is as good as it gets in Division III swimming and diving," Koukis said. "Everyone I have had the pleasure of meeting at Wittenberg has been extremely welcoming and supportive, and I am excited to begin my new career with the Tigers."
Koukis takes over a program that loses a lot of talented seniors in 2004-05, but also returns a large number of promising swimmers and is expected to welcome a recruiting class numbering 25 (15 men and 10 women). The Tiger women finished fourth in the NCAC in 2003-04, behind three of the top 10 teams in the nation, and sophomore Becca Searcy earned her second honorable mention All-America designation at the NCAA Division III National Championships. The Tiger men finished fifth in the NCAC, and senior Steve Rader capped his career with his fourth All-America finish.
Posted by: Ryan Maurer