Susan Lizzotte, named the interim head coach swimming coach at University of Maine following the unanticipated resignation this fall of Walter Nitardy, has data to suggest the 2009-10 season was uniformly successful.
At the America East Conference Championship, 81 percent of Maine’s women’s swimmers recorded college-best times and 90 percent of the Maine men raced college best performances.
“The figures are very exciting. It shows the swimmers worked very hard during the season. I am very happy,” Lizzotte said. “It is great to see the smiles on their faces and to see their excitement for another season.”
UMaine athletic director Blake James indicated his office is preparing to initiate the search process for a coach.
“I said in the fall that at the end of the season we would conduct a search,” James said. “We want the best possible person to lead the program.”
While James said a timeline has not been established for completing the search, he indicated, in most cases, a search takes a minimum of six weeks.
James explained that in today’s age of technology a search for a coach becomes a worldwide process. Maine’s search will seek to identify a candidate, who, according to James, displays leadership skills, a commitment to serve the best interests of the students academically and athletically, an ability to monitor the program’s standing within department expectations and a recognition of the importance of alumni and community relations.
“UMaine is a wonderful institution. It is an attractive job,” James commented.
Maine’s AD noted the challenge faced by Lizzotte this season and the success of her team.
“Obviously, she stepped into a difficult situation and did a very good job of moving the team forward,” he said.
Lizzotte served as an assistant coach for Nitardy. Prior to coaching with Nitardy, Lizzotte, assisted Jeff Wren, founder and longtime coach of the UMaine women’s team. Lizzotte also served as an assistant of the men’s team for Wren.
A highly accomplished swimmer for the Black Bear women, the 1999 graduate received two scholar-athlete awards and four MVP honors during her four year career.
This season after being named interim head coach, Lizzotte adjusted the training schedule for both the men and women, emphasizing event-specific workouts as well as individual specific workouts.
Winant to be honored
Don Winant, whose 32-year- old UMaine 400 individual medley record fell this season, will be honored by the Pacific Northwest Swimming Association later this year.
In 1975, as a member of the Northwest’s Totem Lake Swim Club, coached by Bob Miller, Winant was ranked ninth in the world in the 400 individual medley. His recognition honors his achievement as swimmer at Totem Lake.
Winant was Wren’s first competitive swimmer. Wren, who attended William & Mary, trained Winant during the summer of 1970 in Williamsburg, Virginia.