Iowa State head swimming coach Duane Sorenson has introduced Yun Qu, a former assistant coach at Ithaca College, has been named assistant coach for the Cyclones’ program.

"I am very excited that Yun chose to be part of our staff here at Iowa State," Sorenson said. "Being a former world champion and a NCAA All American, she brings a wealth of knowledge as a competitor at both the NCAA and international world class levels of swimming, as Yun is still the world’s ninth best all time performer in the 200 meter butterfly and is the 20th-best performer in the 100 meter butterfly. She has gained valuable coaching experience while being part of both the SUNY-Binghamton and Ithaca College staffs. Her enthusiasm and love of the sport will help Cyclone swimming and diving reach the next level at both the Big 12 and NCAA Championship meets."

Qu, a former NCAA Division I All-American at SUNY Binghamton, joins ISU after spending the 2005-06 season with the Bombers.

Prior to her stint at Ithaca, Qu served as a student assistant varsity swimming coach at her alma mater. She was SUNY-Binghamton’s 2002 Athlete of the Year after finishing 12th in the 200-yard butterfly at the NCAA Championship. She was also named America East Most Outstanding Female Swimmer in 2002 and holds the conference record in the 200-yard butterfly and the 400 freestyle relay. She was a six-time conference champion.

A native of Hangzhou, China, Qu has over 15 years of competitive swimming experience and became a member of the Chinese national team at the age of 15. She competed at the World Swimming Championships and the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, finishing fourth in the 200-meter butterfly, coming up just .35 seconds short of earning an Olympic medal.

Qu won a pair of silver medals in the 100 and 200-meter butterfly at the 1994 FINA World Championships to help China capture the world title. Additionally, she has won 10 Chinese national championships and was ranked No. 1 in the world in the 200-meter butterfly from 1992-93.

Qu’s coaching experience ranges from the youth to collegiate levels. She served as an assistant coach with the Bearcats as a senior and has also coached with the Binghamton Masters Club and Vestal Swim Club teams.

Qu graduated from Binghamton in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in human development and will complete her master’s degree in exercise science, with a concentration in sport psychology, in August of 2006.