May 17, 2005

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - Head women's swimming coach Mariusz Podkoscielny, along with the University of Miami, announced Tuesday the hiring of Susan Trainer as the assistant coach for the UM swimming program.  

"I am very excited to announce the hiring of Susan Trainer as our new assistant swimming coach," said Podkoscielny. "Susan comes to us with a wealth of experience as a coach at both the club and collegiate level, and I look forward to working with Susan and together helping our student-athletes achieve their goals in and out of the classroom."

Trainer comes to Miami after a three year stint at the Shawmut Aquatic Club in Massachusetts.

A Cambridge, Mass. native, Trainer began her swimming career as part of the Bernal's Gators Club. Trainer went on to compete at the collegiate level as a sprint freestyle/butterfly specialist for the University of Florida from 1995-96 and UCLA from 1996-97, earning NCAA All-American honors at both schools. In 1996, Trainer competed in the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Ind. 

A cardiac condition prevented Trainer from competing past her sophomore season, a situation that began her coaching career and led to her position as the student assistant coach at UCLA, which she enjoyed for three years before being hired as the UCLA Assistant Swim Coach.  During her final year on staff, the Bruins won their first Pac-10 Conference title. 

Trainer is a 2000 graduate of UCLA with a degree in women's studies and earned her masters in educational studies from Tufts University in 2005.  She is presently working towards her doctorate in health and behavior studies at Columbia University's Teachers College in New York.

"I am extremely excited about joining the University of Miami coaching staff," said Trainer. "UM has so much to offer students, both academically and athletically. It is an honor to be a part of such an incredible institution.  I believe that Mariusz is an outstanding coach and I am looking forward to working with him."