Penn Adds Nikki Kett as Assistant Coach of Men’s & Women’s Swimming

The University of Pennsylvania men’s and women’s teams, one of the last combined programs in the Ivy League, have added former NCAA Division III All-American Nikki Kett to their staff. Kett moves to Philadelphia from Baltimore, where she spent three seasons with the men’s and women’s programs at Johns Hopkins University.

“I’m thrilled to be able to bring Nikki aboard to help us continue making Penn Swimming a nationally competitive program,” said Head Swimming and Diving Coach, Mike Schnur. “Her enthusiasm, excitement and experience coaching with George Kennedy at Johns Hopkins make her the perfect choice for us!”

During the last three seasons, while Kett worked with the men’s and women’s teams at Hopkins, the Blue Jays combined for six top-eight NCAA Championship finishes, including a program-best third-place NCAA finish for the women in 2014. In all, 59 Blue Jays student-athletes achieved All-America status during Kett’s tenure, and two broke NCAA records. In addition to the team success, Kett was honored with the Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year award by College Swimming and Diving in 2013. Kett graduated from Kenyon College in 2012. She was an 11-time All-American (in the 200 IM, 400 IM, 100 breast and 200 breast) in her four seasons and served as team captain during her senior year.

“I want to thank Coach Schnur for the opportunity to join the Penn Swimming family,” said Kett. “I immediately knew I would get along well with the coaching staff, and I am really looking forward to being part of a strong team. I am excited to join the tradition of excellence at Penn, and to contribute to the future success of the program.”

Both the Quakers’ men’s and women’s teams finished fourth at their respective 2015 Ivy League Championships and have recruited strong freshmen classes for the upcoming season.