Toledo hires women’s swimming coach

August 21, 2012 | News, UToday
By Derrick Blyberg



Peters

Chris Peters has been hired as the head women’s swimming and diving coach at The University of Toledo.

Peters was formerly an assistant coach with the men’s program at Ohio State. He replaces Liz Hinkleman, who resigned in July to accept an assistant position with the Buckeyes’ women’s program.

Peters inherits a Rocket program that has won the Mid-American Conference Championship in two of the past three seasons.

“We are thrilled to have Chris join our staff,” said UT Vice President and Athletic Director Mike O’Brien. “Chris has an impressive swimming background and has worked his way through the ranks as an assistant coach. His values and experience are the right fit here. We are confident that our women’s swimming and diving program will thrive under his leadership.”

Peters served the past two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Ohio State under Head Coach Bill Wadley. In each of his two seasons, the Buckeyes finished in the Top 15 at the NCAA Championship meet, while posting an overall dual meet record of 20-2. Peters has coached 21 All-Americans and two current USA National Team members (Tim Phillips and Elliot Keefer). He helped attract the nation’s fifth-best recruiting class last season, and the program produced the most academic award winners in the Big Ten.

“I’m extremely proud to be the new swim coach at The University of Toledo,” Peters said. “It’s an exciting time to be a Rocket, and I’m confident that we’ll work hard to ensure the program reaches new heights, both in the classroom and in the pool.”

Peters, a three-time record holder at Missouri, spent six years as an assistant coach at his alma mater from 2004 to 2010, culminating with a four-month stint as the interim head coach before leaving for Ohio State. He was instrumental in shaping both the men’s and women’s squads into top-level programs. Every team record was broken during his six seasons, and he helped guide 16 athletes to the 2009 and 2010 NCAA Championship meets.

On the recruiting side, Peters was responsible for multiple Top-25 recruiting classes. His highest ranking men’s class peaked at No. 16, and the highest women’s class ranked No. 11.

“Chris understands the importance of academic success for each student-athlete,” Missouri Executive Associate Athletic Director Sarah Reesman said. “He is able to maintain that priority while assisting each student-athlete in reaching his or her athletic potential. Chris and his family will be a wonderful addition to the Toledo community.”

Prior to his time at Missouri, Peters served two years as the senior national team coach for the Arizona Marlins, a club team located in Phoenix. Along with coaching the Marlins, he spent one season as head coach at Phoenix Country Day School in 2003.

Peters worked at ESPN in Bristol, Conn., as an associate producer from 2000 to 2002.

During his collegiate career, he was an eight-time Big 12 Championship finalist in the 100 and 200 backstroke events, and was the school record holder in the 200 backstroke. He qualified for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials and was a senior national qualifier from 1995-2000.

Peters, a native of Eureka, Mo., and his wife, Marianne, have a daughter, Sydney, and a son, Cole.

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