Courtesy: Marshall Athletics
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall head swimming and diving coach Ian Walsh announced Tuesday that Taylor Counter has joined the program as an assistant coach.
Counter spent the last two years at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C. while serving as the Graduate Assistant for LRU’s men’s and women’s swim teams in pursuit of a Masters degree in Leadership.
While at LRU, the Bears broke school records 38 times, earning more than 170 career best times among all members of the team. The women’s team also earned a spot in CSCAA’s (College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America) Top 10 Division II All-American list with a cumulative GPA of 3.57 last fall.
“We’re excited to bring Taylor on staff here at Marshall,” said Walsh. “Her familiarity with Conference USA and the unique experiences she’s had as an athlete will help elevate our program and the women within it. I look forward to working together, along with our support staff, to build upon the success here at Marshall.”
Counter received her undergraduate degree in Physical Education and Athletic Coaching from WKU. She swam mainly the breaststroke events for the Hilltoppers from 2011-15, helping the team win the 2013 Sun Belt Swimming and Diving Championships. She was also a team captain.
“I’m excited to be part of this team and to help the women develop in and out of the pool,” Counter said. “I’m also looking forward to working with Ian and learning from his experiences as we build this program.”
Counter was born and raised in Scottsbluff, Nebraska where she was the 2011 Nebraska state champion in the 100-yard Breaststroke, making her the first woman from her hometown to earn a state championship swimming title.