Rutgers University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Julie Hermann announced today that Petra Martin has been named head swimming and diving coach. Martin arrives “On the Banks,” following a five-year stint as head coach at Bowling Green State University, where she guided the program to a top-three finish at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships in three consecutive seasons.
“We are thrilled that Coach Martin has become our new head swimming and diving coach,” said Hermann. “During our national search, Petra became our number one target to lead our program into Big Ten contention.”
In 2010, Martin began a tenure that brought tremendous growth and success to the program. The 2012-13 MAC Coach of the year guided the program to back-to-back third place finishes at the conference championships in 2013 and 2014, marking the first time since 1992 and 1993 the team registered back-to-back years with a top-three finish. She expanded the streak with a third-place showing at the 2015 MAC Championships.
Additionally, in 2014-15, Martin led the team to a 9-1 dual meet record, which encompassed a 13 consecutive dual meet streak through two seasons. She also pioneered the revival the BGSU diving program. Overall, a compilation of 17 All-Conference accolades have been bestowed to her student-athletes, while 15 programs records were established and re-established during her time. Most notable, Martin guided swimmers Estela Davis to earning a spot on the Pan American Team and Daniella Carrillo to a spot in the World University Games this summer.
“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to lead the Scarlet Knights' swimming and diving team,” said Martin. “The program has so many great opportunities ahead and it is clear to me that Rutgers is on the verge of something great. The institution has a lot to offer academically and athletically and I cannot wait to be part of that. There is also a strong drive and commitment to excellence on all levels. I love the energy and direction from everyone in the department and look forward to building a very special team.”
In addition to success in the pool, Martin set high academic standards for her squad. Her first year at the helm, the squad compiled a team GPA ranked sixth amongst Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving programs by the College Swim Coaches Association of America. The team maintained its academic excellence throughout her tenure, ranking fifth amongst all DI programs following the fall 2014 semester. From 2013 to 2015, BGSU was also a Scholar All-America team.
Prior to BGSU, Martin served as an assistant coach to the men’s and women’s programs at George Mason University. She guided the women’s squad to back-to-back appearances at NCAAs, highlighted by a 21st-place team finish at the 2010 NCAA Division Swimming and Diving Championships. Additionally, she saw two top-10 finishes in the women’s 100 and 200 breaststrokes.
Following her undergraduate career at Maryland, Martin remained involved with the Terps as an assistant coach. The team registered a fourth-place finish at Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championships and an undefeated dual season with her assistance. In addition, she coached four NCAA qualifiers and ACC top performers, along with four Olympic Trials Qualifier.
A former Maryland Terrapin from 2000-02, Martin earned Honorable Mention All-America Honors in 2001 for the 200 and 400 meter freestyle relay. She and her teammates also notched All-ACC conference honors with a school record in the 200 meter free relay. Martin was also a four-time Academic All-America swimmer and received the Scholar-Athlete award four times to match.
After earning separate Bachelor of Science degrees in both marketing and finance, accompanied by a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Maryland, Martin added a B.S. in physical education at the Oxford College of Emory University in 2004.
A member of the Czech National Swim Team, Martin ranked top-25 worldwide in the 50 butterfly and 50 freestyle. At the time, she held the Czech national record in the 200 Medley Relay.
Martin and her husband, Andrew, are proud parents of daughter, Caden, and twins, Kian and Alea.
“I would like to thank the Athletic Director Julie Hermann and Kate Hickey, the Senior Associate Athletic Director, for giving me the opportunity to lead the program,” said Martin. “I would also like to say thanks to everyone that has been part of the hiring process at Rutgers and to everyone at BGSU and all my mentors that helped me along the way to be the coach and person I am today. Last but not least, thank you to my family for all their support and being a great team of their own.”
As the eighth coach of the Rutgers swimming and diving, Martin replaces Phil Spiniello, who stepped down from the helm of the program in March.
