Truman State University men’s and women’s swimming head coach Ed Pretre has announced the hiring of Jessica Hessel, a former Div. II national champion, as the program’s top assistant, beginning in the 2012-13 season.
Hessel will join the Bulldog coaching staff following a stint as a graduate assistant at Henderson (Ark.) State University, where she earned her degree in Sports Administration. While at HSU, she worked with all aspects of the swimming program, including both sprint and distance swimmers as well as running the strength and dryland programs.
Prior to her time at HSU, Hessel worked as the aquatics director at the Jewish Community Center of Omaha in 2008. She also coached at the Millard Aquatic Club from 2006-2010 and was the assistant varsity coach at Millard South High School from 2008-2010. From 2004-2008, Jessica swam for the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where she became an NCC record holder, a four-time school record holder, an 11-time honorable mention all-American, a 10-time all-American and a Division II national champion as the anchor of the 400 freestyle relay.
“Jessica will be a great addition to our program, because she has the experience to make personal connections with our student-athletes,” Pretre said. “We are incredibly excited to have her on staff.”
