GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – Former De Pere head women’s swim coach Tara Dowling has joined the Green Bay swimming and diving staff as a lead assistant, first-year head coach Reed Robelot announced on Wednesday. Dowling joins the Phoenix after graduating from Northern Michigan University in May with a degree in Health and Fitness Management.
“We are very happy to welcome Coach Dowling to the Green Bay Phoenix Family,” said Robelot. “She brings a good deal of current knowledge about our sport to the program, and will really energize our recruiting efforts for the coming year. As we diversify our training, Tara will play a large role with our practices in the water and on dry-land. I am looking forward to her arrival.”
A three-time captain of the NMU Swim and Dive Team from 2013-2015, Dowling wrote programs for 31 athletes at De Pere High School, including dry land and in-pool training. She has also spent time at the YMCA of Marquette County, where she facilitated the Livestrong program for cancer survivors and shadowed the registered on-site dietitian when diagnosing clients.
“I am very happy to have been welcomed into the Green Bay Phoenix Family,” said Dowling. “I am excited to work with Coach Robelot and bring my knowledge and energy to the pool deck this season. I am looking forward to getting to know the team and starting the season.”
Among her relevant coursework, the Marquette, Mich., native studied Fitness Leadership with an exercise specialization, as well as Human Anatomy and Physiology, Exercise Physiology and Anatomical Kinesiology.
Dowling rounds out a swimming and diving staff that will feature two new faces this year, after Robelot was named the program’s head coach on July 24.
From 2011-2015, Robelot helped in elevating Virginia Tech swimming and diving into both a conference and national contender. He aided the Hokies to 17 individual All-American performances, five All-American relay performances, eight individual ACC Champions and three ACC Championship relay titles. Additionally, Robelot contributed to signing six top-20 recruiting classes and coaching five ACC record-setting performances.
Robelot replaced Jim Merner, who announced his retirement on May 8, following a successful 25-year mainstay at Green Bay.
The Phoenix will open its season on Oct. 10, when it travels to Rochester, Mich., to compete against Oakland.
Swimming news courtesy of Green Bay Swimming & Diving.
