WINTER PARK, Florida (March 1, 2024) - Rollins Associate Vice President of Athletics Pennie Parker announced a change to the swimming program on Friday afternoon.
Walker Thaning, who served as the interim head coach for the second half of the 2023-24 season, has been elevated to head coach of the men's and women's swimming teams at Rollins.
"I am so pleased to have Walker as our head coach," said Parker. "He has been had a profound impact on our program for the last five years, and much of our recent success is owed to his leadership and coaching. I know he will enhance the team's success in the classroom and in the pool as we move forward."
Former head coach Julianne Lehner recently stepped down from her position to focus on her growing family at home. Julianne served as an assistant coach in 2018-19, became the interim coach for the 2019-20 season, and was named the head coach prior to the 2020-21 season. In her time at Rollins, she coached the first pair of NCAA DII National Championship titles in Rollins swimming history, SSC Swimmer of the Year, and was named Rollins SAAC coach of the year on 2 occasions. Rollins swimmers were named NCAA All-Americans five times, and school records were set and lowered countless times under her leadership.
"It is with mixed emotions that I step away from my position at Rollins," remarked Lehner. "I am extraordinarily proud of the academic and athletic success of the swim program during my time here, and the lifelong connections with colleagues and student athletes made along the way. I ultimately need to focus my attentions to my family at home. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Rollins community, and wish the program continued success in the future."
Thaning joined the Tars in June 2021 after serving as a volunteer coach from 2019-2021. In his time as an assistant coach, Thaning helped guide Harold Lockhart to two national titles in the 500 and 1000 freestyle, and Beatriz Olivieri to All-American status in the 200-freestyle in 2022. He also helped
Chance Ricca and Olivieri bring home honorable mention All-America accolades that year. The following year, Thaning assisted
Luke Dinges (200 butterfly) and
Jill Hughes (1650 freestyle) to Second Team All-American showings. This season, he helped the Tars break 13 school records, and three swimmers from the men's teams were recognized as All-SSC, with
William Slowey and
Luke Dinges earning spots on the second team, and
Seth Basinger being named to the third team.
The Tars will wrap up their 2023-24 campaign at the NCAA Championships later this month in Geneva, Ohio. Rollins will be sending four swimmers to compete for a title.
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