New Mexico to Northern Michigan for Voight

New Mexico State swimming and diving assistant coach Heidi Voigt has accepted the head coaching position at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich. Aggie head coach Rick Pratt will conduct a national search for Voigt’s replacement.

“I want to thank NM State for the wonderful experience of being an Aggie, especially Rick Pratt for being an incredible inspiration and mentor,” Voigt said. “I will be watching the swim team for their impending WAC title in the future. Once an Aggie, always an Aggie.”

Voigt spent two seasons at NM State, and she coached the distance freestyle group. In 2009-10, she helped direct the Aggies to a program-best second-place showing at the WAC Championships. The distance freestyle crew made a significant impact with five Aggies placing in the top 12 of the 1,650 free with Liz Thomson earning the gold in her final meet in the Crimson and White. Jessi Vlasic (fourth), Brittney Moore (sixth), Ana Smith (ninth) and Rachelle Bassen (12th) scored for the Aggies in the event. Additionally, Thomson set the school record in the 500 freestyle.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity that coach Voigt has with Northern Michigan,” Pratt said. “NMU is committed to swimming with big plans for the future, and Heidi is a great fit to lead their program to new heights. She is so ready for this, and despite the fact that I am very sad to see her go, this is a great thing for her and the family.

“It is a tremendous honor to have our assistant coaches move on to head jobs, and it says a lot about the caliber of coaches we have at NM State. Our program experienced great success over the past two seasons, and Heidi deserves much credit in helping us achieve so many program firsts. She is a great person and a passionate coach who our swimmers have respected and improved with over the past two seasons. I know she will do the same at NMU, and I am looking forward to watching Heidi’s success from afar.”