Head swimming coach Mike Simpson, in conjunction with the Gardner-Webb athletics department, are pleased to announce the hiring of Ashley Grogan and Kathryn Hallquist to the coaching staff.

Grogan joins the staff as the assistant coach while Hallquist will take over the reigns as a graduate assistant coach.

Grogan comes to Gardner-Webb from nearby Clemson University. While a member of the Tigers’ swim team, Grogan etched her name among the program’s elite, earning a spot in the finals of the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships all four seasons.

Grogan is fourth in the program’s history in the 100 and ninth all time in the 200 breast. In 2003, she was a Senior National Qualifier and in 2005, she earned the Coaches Award.

During her seasons at Clemson, Grogan worked for Athletes in Action Swim Camp. She assisted with coaching and writing workouts for young teenagers that attended a week long Christian training camp.

Prior to her arrival on Clemson’s campus, she coached the Winter Haven Stingrays while also helping organize and run swim meets for developmental teams in the Central Florida area. Grogan was the 2001 Florida high school state champion.

Hallquist, the sister of GWU standout Leslie Hallquist, will also join the Bulldog staff prior to the start of the 2007-08 season.

A graduate of Alabama, Hallquist was a four-year All-American and all-SEC selection during her illustrious career.

In 2002, she was ranked No. 1 in the nation for independent schools in the 100 back. A superb athlete, Hallquist competed at five U.S. National Championships in addition to competing at the 2004 Olympic Trials.

When she wasn’t training, Hallquist coached the University of Alabama swim camp in 2003 and 2004.

Hallquist is a two-time Florida high school state champion.

The Bulldogs, now members of the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association, open the season on Oct. 12 at Limestone.