Columbus, Ohio— After serving as an assistant coach under Bill Dorenkott for two seasons, Jordan Wolfrum has been promoted to associate head coach of the Ohio State women’s swimming team.
“This promotion is a fitting way to recognize Jordan’s impact on our program,” Dorenkott said. “She is a dynamic young woman with a very bright future in the sport.”
Wolfrum arrived on campus in April of 2014, and she’s already left a significant positive mark on the program. Her first season as an assistant coach saw the team earn an 11-1 record in dual meets and three honorable mention All-America performances: Ashley Vance (200 IM), Liz Li (50 freestyle), and Lindsey Clary (400 IM).
And of course there was this season, the best Ohio State has had in 25 years. Wolfrum helped coach a team that won five titles at the Big Ten Championships and raced to a 14th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, a 27-spot improvement over last season. Li and teammate Lindsey Clary both earned All-America honors this year. It was the first time in over 20 years that Ohio State had that many Big Ten Champions and All-Americans in the same season.
She’s made a big impact out of the pool as well, as evidenced by the 17 Academic All-Big Ten selections by the team this year and the 22 Ohio State Scholar Athletes in each of the last two seasons.
“Jordan has helped our team improve in multiple ways since she has been at Ohio State,” said her All-American pupil Clary. “She cares so much about each individual and has brought a new aspect to our team that we really value.”
Clary’s comments echo what Coach Dorenkott had to say as well: that one of the many things Wolfrum brings to the table is her knack for building positive relationships with other people.
“Jordan’s strength is her off the chart emotional intelligence. She has a terrific ability to connect with people,” he said. “Hopefully, the title gives Jordan a little juice on the recruiting trail as people around the country start to realize what a special coach Ohio State has in Jordan Wolfrum.”
Wolfrum came to Ohio State with an already extensive coaching background, including serving as a volunteer assistant coach at Stanford University prior to becoming a Buckeye. Wolfrum worked extensively with the breaststrokers, including a pair of All-Americans. As a team, the Cardinal finished as the national runner-up that year, broke numerous school records, and set the American/US Open and NCAA record in the 400 medley relay.
“I am honored and excited to accept the role of Associate Head Coach,” Wolfrum said about her new title. “In two years of working alongside Coach Dorenkott, I’ve grown and learned a great deal. I’m incredibly grateful to Coach Dorenkott for trusting me with this added responsibility and I look forward to continuing to learn under his leadership. The Ohio State University and this Athletic Department have an unmatched tradition of excellence that I’m so proud to be a part of. I’m looking forward to the future and I’m as honored as ever to be a Buckeye.”
Prior to Stanford, Wolfrum was the head swimming and diving coach at the College of Saint Benedict in Collegeville, Minn. She spent a total of four years at Saint Benedict’s, taking over as head coach in 2012-13 after serving for three years as an assistant coach.
She helped the Blazers to a fourth place finish at the 2012 MIAC Championships, narrowly missing a top-three tally. In her time at Saint Benedict, she has coached 11 All-MIAC Athletes, including a team record eight in 2012-13.
She competed collegiately at St. Cloud State, captaining the Huskies her final two seasons, and helping them to a Northern Sun Swimming Championship in her senior year. Also a member of the great North Central Conference (NCC), Wolfrum was a member NCC Commissioners Academic Honor Roll during her career.
“I couldn’t be more proud of and excited for Jordan and the promotion is well deserved,” said TJ Shelton, Associate Director of Athletics and sports administrator for the women’s swimming team. “She has done an outstanding job assisting Coach Dorenkott in improving the swim programs from the day she was hired. Jordan has played a meaningful role in the overall development of our student-athletes in the classroom, in the community and in competition.”
Swimming news courtesy of Ohio State Swimming & Diving.
Jordan is an amazing woman and a powerful up and coming coach. Showing some Blaza’ Blaze, some Cardinal magic, and Husky pride, this is another step in her spectacular career. Well done, Jordan!