FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Head swimming coach
Scott Lemley announced today that former Nanook swimming great
Kinsey Laine has been tabbed as the new assistant coach for the program. Lane, who also competed on the cross-country team while at UAF, returns to her alma mater to replace former assistant Heather King.
“Having somebody like Kinsey who just spent four years on the team going through exactly what the other athletes are going to go through from day one is extremely beneficial,” said Lemley.
Upon her graduation last May, Laine traveled to Glasgow, Mont., to become the assistant coach for the Glasgow Kiwanis Swim Team. Laine's duties included writing practices, giving stroke technique advice and creating a summer training plan for the team members who ranged from ages five to 19.
“I think she's really going to be able to take ownership of two key areas for us,” said Lemley. “One is to keep everybody's spirits up and the other is to make sure that they're really strong academically because she was such a good student.”
Originally from Silver Lake, Wash., Laine swam for the Blue and Gold from 2007-11. During her four years as a Nanook swimmer she earned a place in the PCSC All-Conference Team from 2009-11 and was named to the PCSC All-Conference Academic Team in 2010 and 2011.
From her sophomore through senior seasons, Laine improved steadily and earned six NCAA Division II “B” qualifying times. The 2009-10 team captain also distinguished herself as an elite athlete by posting top ten finishes in ten many events over her career.
“Kinsey has had a lot of success as an athlete, but what's more important than that is her passion for swimming,” said Lemley. “She was incredibly passionate as an athlete and that's what will transfer over to her coaching.”
The Nanooks swimmers begin the 2011-12 season with their annual Blue-Gold meet, which is set for October 15.
