JAMAICA, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College interim director of athletics Chris Monasch announced Friday the hiring of Gary Walunas to lead the men's and women's swimming programs as head coach ahead of the 2023-24 season. 

"We are excited to announce that Gary Walunas will be joining us as the head coach of the men's and women's swimming programs. Gary brings extensive coaching experience having served as a Division I head coach at St. Francis College (NY), along with many years on the New York City swimming club scene.  We look forward to his leadership in moving York College's swimming program forward."-said Monasch

Since 2011, Coach Walunas has served as head coach for NYC Parks Flushing, capturing seven Borough Cup Championships and remains undefeated in championships during his tenure with NYC Parks Swim Team. Coach Walunas' teams consisted of over 100 swimmers ranging ages 6-18, competing year-round in USA Swimming sanctioned meets.

"Thank you to the Cardinal athletic department and York College family for your warm welcome. I look forward to building our programs at York's beautiful natatorium. As I am excited to coach at the college level again, I am preparing for the challenge of coaching in the CUNYAC. I am also embracing the opportunity to bring my knowledge of swimming to York and build a successful program."-said coach Walunas

In 2004, coach Walunas was appointed as head men's and women's swimming coach at his alma mater St. Francis College.  In his three seasons leading St. Francis, coach Walunas built solid, competitive teams consisting of local, national, and international swimmers.  Coach Walunas developed effective competitive strategies that saw boosted performances for both programs that produced victories over top-ranked divisional opponents.  He transformed a fifth-place men's team to a second place in one year, finishing second in Northeast Conference in 2006 and 2007. On the women's side, coach Walunas catapulted the Terriers up five rankings within one year in a highly competitive Northeast Conference.  Coach Walunas further strengthened his programs by developing All-American student-athletes from the Terriers' top 10-ranked water polo team to excel as members of the swimming teams.  From 2003-08, coach Walunas also contributed to the Terriers' youth water polo program as assistant coach.

No stranger to St. Francis, coach Walunas competed during each of his four years on campus as a member of the Terriers' swimming and water polo teams, in which he served as team captain during his senior season.  As a 1986 graduate with a bachelor's degree in history, coach Walunas was an all-around swimmer, excelling in the sprint events focusing on backstroke and individual medley.  Coach Walunas held St. Francis' program records in the 100-yard freestyle and 4x100-yard freestyle relay. 

Currently residing in Rockaway Beach, coach Walunas' experience also includes working as a deck lifeguard for St. Francis and serving NYC Parks as a beach lifeguard.  Due to lifeguard shortage during the Summer of 2023, coach Walunas conducted a youth program to teach swimming for future lifeguards, and was recently named the NYC Parks Employee of the Month.

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