SALT LAKE CITY –
Jonas Persson, the pinnacle coach of the University of Utah swimming and diving program, has signed a contract extension via the 2031 season, introduced at this time by Director of Athletics
Mark Harlan.
“Jonas has done a tremendous job executing the strategy and vision he had for elevating our swimming and diving program when he was hired four years ago, and I’m thrilled to extend his contract,” Harlan mentioned. “The student-athletes in his program epitomize the qualities that define our department’s culture to achieve excellence in the classroom, competition and community. I look forward to the continued growth and success of our men’s and women’s swimming and diving program for years to come under his leadership.”
Persson has helped take the Utah program to new heights in his seven seasons in Salt Lake City, spending the final 4 as head coach after serving because the affiliate head coach for his first three years. Utah has set 27 program data beneath Persson’s tutelage, and he has overseen the event of 13 All-Americans.
“I am grateful for the continued trust from the University of Utah and
Mark Harlan,” Persson mentioned. “This program has strong momentum, and I believe we are just getting started. Over the past few years, we’ve made meaningful progress in establishing our identity and raising our competitive standard and we will continue to do so moving forward.”
This season, Persson coached 15 All-Big 12 swimmers, together with
Evan VanBrocklin and
Nick Chirafisi, who represented Utah on the NCAA Championships in Atlanta. Chirafisi gained gold on the Big 12 Championships within the 500 and 1650 Free, set this system file within the 200 and 500 Free, and tallied 11 first-place finishes as a junior, whereas VanBrocklin earned 10 gold medals throughout his senior season and set program data within the 100 and 200 Fly.
Persson additionally oversaw the event of
Erin Palmer, who earned All-Big 12 First Team honors after a fourth-place end within the 50 Free on the convention championships. Palmer owns 4 program data, logging the quickest instances within the 50 Free and 100 Breast in addition to being a part of the record-setting 200 Free and 400 Free relay groups. She was chosen to signify Team USA within the FISU 2026 America Games in Lima, Peru, this July.
Persson has overseen this system’s transition to the Big 12 Conference, the place Utah swimmers have claimed seven weekly awards within the final two years.
Nolan Dunkel was named the convention’s Newcomer of the Week twice this season, whereas
Davis Stachelek and
Stephanie Oiesen have been named Men’s Swimmer of the Week and Women’s Newcomer of the Week, respectively, as soon as.
Since turning into the pinnacle coach previous to the 2022-23 season, Persson has led the ladies’s squad to a 24-14 file in twin meets whereas guiding the boys’s facet to a 24-10 mark.
“Our focus moving forward is on building a team that can consistently compete at the highest level in the Big 12 and in the NCAA while continuing to invest in our student-athletes, both in the pool and in their academic and personal growth,” Persson added. “We are committed to creating an environment where our athletes can reach their full potential and represent the University of Utah at the highest level.”
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