Rita Koryukova, a former All-American swimmer who is now an assistant coach at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, has been diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that impacts the lymph nodes.
“I just want to say thank you to all for the support of the swimming community,” Koryukova told SwimSwam on Saturday. “I didn’t expect so many kind words and so much support.”
The Russian-born Koryukova was an 8-time All-American swimmer at Division II Wingate University. In 2015, as a junior, she finished 11th in the 100 back individually (55.62) and was a member of Wingate’s national championship winning 400 medley relay. A year later, she was 12th in the 100 back (55.86), and swam on 2 title-winning relays. That includes as part of an NCAA Division II Record in the 200 medley relay and on the winning 200 free relay.
After graduating from Wingate, she joined University of Sioux Falls as a graduate assistant, another Division II program, and was elevated to interim head coach on October 23rd, 2017. As interim head coach, she led the team to a 21st-place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championship meet in just its second season of competition.
She then joined another Division II school, Nova Southeastern, as an assistant coach in 2018. At the last NCAA Division II National Championship meet that was completed, in 2019, Nova Southeastern’s women finished in 4th place and the men’s team placed 12th.
According to the National Cancer Institute, almost 8,500 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma every year, and it has an 87.4% 5-year survival rate in the United States, with much higher survival rates in younger people (under the age of 45) and females: which Koryukova is both of.
God Speed Rita! The whole swimming community is pulling, and kicking, for you!
Wishing you all the best! From a former NSIC participant know that we’re all rooting for you!💙💚
In the second year of my college coaching career, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, Stage IIa. 20 years later, I’m here to wish you the best of luck. Stay strong! You have the whole swim community sending you well wishes.