Army swimming and diving head coach Mickey Wender
announced the hiring of Amanda Croix as an assistant coach on his staff
this week. Croix arrives at West Point after completing an outstanding
swimming career at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis.
"The Army swimming and diving program is delighted to welcome Amanda Croix into the family," said Wender. "She possesses all of the qualities we were looking for in our new assistant coach.
"Amanda was an exceptional athlete and is a great role model," added Wender. "She's passionate about the sport, has a wealth of experience and has already embraced the mission and ideals of the Academy.
"Amanda has hit the ground running and I couldn't be more excited about having the opportunity to work with her."
Croix was crowned an NCAA Division III National Champion in the 50-yard freestyle as a junior in 2010 when she clocked a school-record time of 22.77 seconds. The sprint freestyle specialist, who earned 13 NCAA All-America certificates during her decorated four-year career, also holds school records in the 100-yard freestyle (49.35), 200-yard freestyle (1:48.69) and 500-yard freestyle (5:04.71).
The Bradley, Ill., native also has a hand in five Carthage relay records, holds six CCIW conference marks and established three pool standards.
"Amanda is a real up-and-comer," said Carthage men's swimming head coach Greg Earhart. "I have watched her grow over the past four years, and I think the entire Army team - coaches, swimmers and even administrators - are going to enjoy and benefit from the intensity and fun that she brings to the sport."
A three-time National Collegiate Swimmer of the Week, Croix was named CCIW Swimmer of the Year three times and was selected as the Carthage College Female Athlete of the Year on three occasions.
Croix served as head girls' coach at the CollegeSwimming.com Camp during the spring of 2010. In that role, she conducted daily practices focused on skill development. She also set up and implemented a dry land program aimed at team building and strength training.
During the summers of 2008 and 2009, Croix was a camp counselor at Total Performance Swim Camp, where she assisted with the instruction and teaching of over 75 participants. She also served as an in-water coach for the elite program.
Croix was named to the 2010-11 Capital One Academic All-District second team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) earlier this year as well. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Carthage College this past May.
