Wisconsin has added Beata Nelson to its coaching staff for the upcoming season. Nelson graduated from Wisconsin in 2019 and has continued to train in Madison as a pro since then.
“Beata Nelson has been a constant presence in Madison, and we’re proud to formally add her to our coaching staff,” said head coach Dr Jack Brown. “Few people understand what Wisconsin means more than she does. She’s one of the best underwater kickers the sport has ever seen and brings elite-level experience that’s invaluable to our team. More importantly, she has a deep passion for helping student-athletes grow, both in and out of the pool. Her connection with our athletes and her commitment to this place make her an incredible asset to our staff.”
Nelson served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Badgers from 2021-2023, helping with practice as well as camps. She spent her collegiate career at Wisconsin and was a 13-time All-American. Nelson notably held the NCAA records in both the 100 and 200 backstrokes. Her NCAA record in the 200 backstroke of a 1:47.24 stood until last November when Claire Curzan swam a 1:46.87.
Just last month, Nelson competed at US Summer Nationals. She swam to a 6th place finish in the 50 fly, 7th place finish in the 100 fly, and a 14th place finish in the 100 free.
She competed for the Cali Condors during the International Swim League (ISL) and notably won the 200 backstroke ISL title in 2020. She defended her crown at the Season 3 Championships, once again winning the 200 backstroke. Nelson was considered one of the top short course meters swimmers but was left off of the US roster for SCM Worlds on numerous occasions as the US selection process is primarily based on LCM performance.
Nelson joins at staff at Wisconsin that will look much different this upcoming season. The school hired Dr Jack Brown from UNC after head coach Yuri Suguiyama accepted a new role as USA Swimming National Team Director and Coach. Brown has retained Jennah Haney on the staff and added Johno Fergusson (SIU), Ted Patton (Indiana), and Andrew Capobianco as dive coach.
Nelson has trained alongside backstroker Phoebe Bacon who just finished her collegiate career at Wisconsin this past spring. Bacon, who will swim the 200 IM representing the US at 2025 Worlds, has announced she is staying at Wisconsin to train despite the changes in coaching staff.
Good opportunity for her. The past couple of years I had wondered what she was going to do.
Let’s go!! Beata will be a great coach for the Badgers
How so? What is her coaching background?
Fast knows fast
Too bad she was not as quick in the long pool as she was in the small pool.
So does this imply she’s gonna be moving towards retirement in the pool? Kinda like when Melanie Margalis took the staff job at GT but didn’t explicitly say she was retiring (but never raced again)?
It makes sense if you view retirement as more of a spectrum than binary – she can still train and maybe throw up a Grothe-esque, career reviving swim if it’s still in her, but more than likely transitioning into the coaching stage to some degree so all of her eggs aren’t in one basket
I would guess so. I don’t see a path forward for her on the national team and she got married last year… maybe thinking about starting a family.