University of New Mexico head coach Kunio Kono announced former world record holder and Canadian Olympic swimmer Jake Tapp as the new assistant coach for the 2015-2016 season.
Tapp represented Canada internationally at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 100m backstroke and swam on Canada’s 4x100m medley relay. His six-years on the Canadian national team led him to a world record performance in 2009. In 2009, the Canadian national team set the world record in the short course 4x100m medley relay with Tapp swimming the backstroke leg.
Tapp also brings plenty of collegiate experience to the program, both as a coach and as a former NCAA athlete.
A 13-time All-American at the University of Arizona, Tapp demonstrated plenty of backstroke talent at both the NCAA Championships and Pac-12 Championships on numerous occasions. Tapp held the Pac-12 record in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:38.67. That time also doubles as the 200 backstroke school record.
At the 2008 NCAA Championships, Tapp helped the team win their first ever NCAA team title. Collectively they put up 500.5 points to take down the Texas men by nearly 100 points.
Tapp’s collegiate swimming career led him to coaching. Tapp was an assistant coach at IUPUI where he made a direct impact on the program. In his first two years working with the program, 43 team records were set while the team boasted 34 all-conference athletes and seven All-Academic student-athletes.
“I am thrilled that Jake will be joining the University of New Mexico swimming and diving family,” said Kono. “His experiences as a former Olympian, NCAA All-American and NCAA Championship team member will bring a lot of passion and dedication to our school and team.
“Jake has a strong skill set that will show up in his coaching, recruiting and team foundation building at UNM. All of us are so excited by his commitment and the Lobo swimming and diving future.”
The University of New Mexico only has a women’s team. Last season they placed ninth at the Mountain West Championships with 180 points.
