Badgers complete coaching staff with Olympian Jake Tapp
October 18, 2016 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Assistant coach rounds out Badgers’ staff for 2016-17 season
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin swimming and diving program has rounded out its coaching staff in world-class fashion.
The Badgers' staff was completed recently with the hiring of assistant coach Jake Tapp, an Olympian and former world record-holder who competed for the University of Arizona and has since proven himself as an up-and-coming coach while moving through the collegiate ranks.
"As impressive as his resume is, Jake the person is even more impressive," UW head coach Whitney Hite said. "Nobody cares more about what he's doing and the people he's coaching than Jake."
"He is younger and eager to learn, and that eagerness to learn is something that stood out for me. He's going to bring some energy and he's going to bring a wealth of knowledge. It's a really good fit. We're excited."
Tapp joins the Badgers after spending the 2015-16 season as an assistant at New Mexico, including a stint as interim head coach of the Lobos, who sponsor only women's swimming and diving. Prior to that, Tapp spent two seasons as an assistant at IUPUI as he transitioned into the coaching ranks.
"As a coach, this is where you want to be," Tapp said. "You want to be at a program that's supported like the one is here at Wisconsin. It's a power program in a power league."
"I'm excited about working with a combined men's and women's program and, especially, for the chance to work with Whitney."
Tapp completes a staff under Hite that is comprised of assistants Chris Collier (fourth season), Neil Caskey (second season), Emilie Hoeper (second season) and diving coach Anton Slobounov (fifth season).
A native of Langley, British Columbia, Tapp enjoyed a successful career on the international stage, highlighted by representing his native Canada in the 100-meter backstroke and 400-meter medley at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Tapp was part of a Canadian quartet that broke the short-course world record in the 400 medley relay in 2009 and still holds national records in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke.
Tapp competed collegiately at Arizona, where he helped the Wildcats claim the NCAA team title in 2008. Individually, Tapp twice finished as NCAA runner-up, taking second in the 200-yard backstroke as a junior in 2009 and in the 100-yard backstroke as a senior in 2010.
A team captain for the Wildcats as a senior, Tapp finished his collegiate career with 13 All-America honors and still holds Arizona's school record in the 200 backstroke, at 1:38.67.
"Any time you can bring in someone on staff that's been at the highest level, it's really valuable for the program," Hite said. "Winning a national championship, competing in the Olympics, he's been at the highest level."
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The Badgers' staff was completed recently with the hiring of assistant coach Jake Tapp, an Olympian and former world record-holder who competed for the University of Arizona and has since proven himself as an up-and-coming coach while moving through the collegiate ranks.
"As impressive as his resume is, Jake the person is even more impressive," UW head coach Whitney Hite said. "Nobody cares more about what he's doing and the people he's coaching than Jake."
"He is younger and eager to learn, and that eagerness to learn is something that stood out for me. He's going to bring some energy and he's going to bring a wealth of knowledge. It's a really good fit. We're excited."
Tapp joins the Badgers after spending the 2015-16 season as an assistant at New Mexico, including a stint as interim head coach of the Lobos, who sponsor only women's swimming and diving. Prior to that, Tapp spent two seasons as an assistant at IUPUI as he transitioned into the coaching ranks.
"As a coach, this is where you want to be," Tapp said. "You want to be at a program that's supported like the one is here at Wisconsin. It's a power program in a power league."
"I'm excited about working with a combined men's and women's program and, especially, for the chance to work with Whitney."
Tapp completes a staff under Hite that is comprised of assistants Chris Collier (fourth season), Neil Caskey (second season), Emilie Hoeper (second season) and diving coach Anton Slobounov (fifth season).
A native of Langley, British Columbia, Tapp enjoyed a successful career on the international stage, highlighted by representing his native Canada in the 100-meter backstroke and 400-meter medley at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Tapp was part of a Canadian quartet that broke the short-course world record in the 400 medley relay in 2009 and still holds national records in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke.
Tapp competed collegiately at Arizona, where he helped the Wildcats claim the NCAA team title in 2008. Individually, Tapp twice finished as NCAA runner-up, taking second in the 200-yard backstroke as a junior in 2009 and in the 100-yard backstroke as a senior in 2010.
A team captain for the Wildcats as a senior, Tapp finished his collegiate career with 13 All-America honors and still holds Arizona's school record in the 200 backstroke, at 1:38.67.
"Any time you can bring in someone on staff that's been at the highest level, it's really valuable for the program," Hite said. "Winning a national championship, competing in the Olympics, he's been at the highest level."
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