University of Wisconsin-Madison

Having established himself as one of college swimming’s top young coaches during a decorated run as an assistant, Yuri Suguiyama is now building something special at Wisconsin. Suguiyama is in his second season as head coach of the Badgers in 2019-20 after being tabbed to the lead the UW men's and women's program in April 2018. In his first season, Suguiyama oversaw a Wisconsin women's program that produced six All-Americans, a group led by CSCAA National Swimmer of the Year Beata Nelson. Nelson won three national titles at the NCAA championships — the 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke and 200 individual medley — and helped the Badgers to an All-America showing in the 800 freestyle relay. At the NCAA meet, Nelson claimed the American and U.S. open records in the 100 back (49.18) for the second time on the season. Her efforts in the 100 back and 200 back (1:47.24) both stood as collegiate records. Her NCAA performance followed a sweep of the 100 back, 200 back and 200 IM at the Big Ten championships, where she was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships for the second straight season and added the title of Big Ten Swimmer of the Year. The Badgers had a pair of NCAA qualifiers on the men's side in record-setting junior Cam Tysoe, who earned All-America honorable mention in the 200 backstroke, and sophomore MJ Mao. Suguiyama, 36, came to Madison after spending six years as associate head coach of the men’s program at Cal, where he helped the Golden Bears to first- or second-place NCAA finishes in each of his seasons in Berkeley. That run included Cal's national title in 2014 and, most recently, a runner-up finish at the 2018 NCAA Championships. Including the 2018 team title, Suguiyama was part of three Pac-12 Conference championships at Cal and, at one point, helped the Bears put together a run of 28 consecutive dual meet wins. In addition to his work collegiately, Suguiyama has built an impressive international coaching resume. He was named special assistant to the national team director for Team USA at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and also served as an assistant coach for the American squads at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships and 2015 World University Games. Following his Olympic assignment, Suguiyama served as men’s head coach for Team USA at the 2016 FINA Short Course World Championships. Suguiyama’s time at Cal was preceded by a six-year run as coach of Nation’s Capital Swim Club in Washington, D.C., where he mentored then 15-year-old Olympic champion Katie Ledecky, who claimed gold in the 800-meter freestyle at the 2012 Olympics in London. She went on to win four more golds at the 2016 Games in Rio. Himself a standout swimmer for Nation’s Capital Swim Club, Suguiyama went on to compete collegiately at North Carolina, where he finished as the Tar Heels’ record-holder in the 1000 and 1650-yard freestyle. He earned first-team All-America honors as a senior, in addition to being a three-year All-ACC selection. Suguiyama graduated from North Carolina in 2004 with degrees in political science and economics.

Former Wisconsin team captain Kristy Brager is in her second season as an assistant coach at her alma mater in 2019-20. Brager amassed a decade worth of experience at three college programs after graduating from UW in 2008, including her most recent two-year stint at Michigan. The Wolverines women claimed Big Ten team titles in both of Brager’s seasons on deck and, in 2018, scored their best NCAA finish in 22 years with a fourth-place showing at the national meet. Her biggest impact with the Wolverines was in the breaststroke, with seven of the program’s 10 fastest marks in the 100-yard breast coming during Brager’s tenure. She helped Miranda Tucker set school records in the 100 and 200 breast on her way to All-America finishes in both events at the NCAA championships. Brager also served as women’s recruiting coordinator at Michigan, a role she held at her previous stops at Iowa and George Mason, as well. During her four-year tenure at Iowa, Brager helped Emma Sougstad set four school records and achieve a top-50 world ranking in the 50-meter breaststroke, while also guiding Roman Tussov to three NCAA championships appearances and a Big Ten runner-up finish in the men’s 100 breast. Brager’s two seasons at George Mason were highlighted by the success of Ashley Danner, a two-time NCAA runner-up, and Amanda Kendall, a Pan American Games champion. In addition to her coaching and recruiting duties, Brager also oversaw the Patriots’ dryland and weight training programs. A Green Bay native, Brager was a two-time state champion at Preble High School and became a second-generation Badger when she followed in the footsteps of her mother, Jean, by committing to swim at Wisconsin. Brager twice earned Academic All-Big Ten honors on her way to graduating from UW with a degree in economics and was named a team captain as a senior.

Former Wisconsin swimmer Jennah Haney is in her second season as an assistant coach at her alma mater in 2019-20. Before returning to Madison, Haney spent the previous two seasons on staff at Akron, serving one year as a graduate assistant before being named assistant coach in 2017-18. In addition to her on-deck role, she served as the Zips’ recruiting coordinator. A native of Milton, Wisconsin, Haney was a four-year letterwinner for the Badgers who competed in the breaststroke and individual medley. She earned Academic All-Big Ten honors three times and was named recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award as a freshman. Haney graduated from UW in 2014 with a business degree in consumer affairs and went on to earn a master’s in education/sport science at Akron in 2017. Prior to joining the staff at Akron, Haney spent a year as an assistant coach with T2 Aquatics in Naples, Florida. Her responsibilities included serving as lead coach for the program’s senior performance and senior one groups. Haney’s coaching career began in Madison, where she spent a year as a coach with Badger Aquatic Club after finishing her time as a competitive swimmer.