Sept. 12, 2012
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa head swimming and diving coach Marc Long announced today that Kristy Brager has joined the Hawkeyes as an assistant coach. Brager joins the Iowa program after coaching the last two seasons at George Mason University.
“We’re happy to add Kristy to the Hawkeye swimming and diving family,” said Long. “Her experience as a Division I athlete, club coach and assistant collegiate coach will enhance our program. We’re very excited to have Kristy join our staff.”
During her two seasons with the Patriots, Brager helped lead the men’s team to a pair of runner-up finishes in the Colonial Athletic Association — its highest showing in school history. The men’s and women’s teams produced six CAA champions and set 11 school and eight conference records. Two of Brager’s student-athletes swam to three individual event titles at the CAA Championships.
Brager tutored All-American and two-time NCAA runner-up Ashley Danner in the breaststroke. Danner became the 10th-fastest American swimmer during her senior year in the 100. Brager also coached Pan-American Games champion and two-time Olympic Trial semifinalist Amanda Kendall during the summer of 2012.
Prior to making the move to Fairfax, Va., Brager served as a senior assistant coach with the Badger Aquatics Swim Club from 2008-10. She coached three Olympic Trial, five Senior National and 12 Junior National meet qualifiers.
She also has coached at the club and high school level, serving as the head swim coach at Seminole Pool and Tennis Club and Edgewood Private High School in Wisconsin.
As a collegian, Brager swam collegiately at the University of Wisconsin, where she posted perfect practice and competition attendance throughout her four year career. She received the “Most Improved Award” in 2006 and the “Hardest Worker” honor in 2007 and 2008.
In the classroom, Brager was a two-time academic All-Big Ten selection for the Badgers, while twice earning the UW Student-Athlete Academic Excellence Award (2007, 2008). She was also the recipient of the 2007 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Brager graduated from Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in economics in Dec. 2008, while also earning a certificate in environmental studies.