The University of Kentucky Swimming & Diving program has confirmed that its notable team of coaches will remain intact for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Bret Lundgaard, the head coach of Kentucky swimming & diving, announced the continuation of head diving coach Ted Hautau, associate swim coach Jordan Lieberman, and diving graduate assistant Chunting (Cara) Wu.
Ted Hautau, a stalwart of the program, has been the head diving coach at UK for an impressive 15 seasons. Over this span in Lexington, Hautau’s guidance has been instrumental, ushering 11 divers to garner a collective 40 All-American honors at the NCAA Championships. Additionally, his prowess earned him the title of SEC Diving Coach of the Year twice – once for women’s diving in 2015 and men’s in 2021.
Lundgaard spoke highly of Hautau, stating, “I am so fortunate to begin this exciting new chapter in Kentucky Swimming & Diving with Ted by my side. He is deeply respected and admired within the swim and dive community. With his unparalleled mix of character, compassion, and competitive acumen, both our current and future student-athletes are in the best hands.”
Jordan Lieberman, hailing from Princeton, N.J., will be back for his fourth season with the Wildcats. Joining the team during the 2020-21 season, Lieberman’s impact was immediate, contributing to the Kentucky women’s inaugural SEC Championship win in 2021. Just last season, under his mentorship, five men’s swimmers made the cut for the NCAA Championships, marking the program’s best since 2020.
Emphasizing the importance of retaining Lieberman, Lundgaard remarked, “Retaining Jordan was a priority. He’s demonstrated exceptional prowess in connecting with our student-athletes, marking him as one of the emerging stars in coaching. Not only has his influence been evident with athletes like Levi [Sandidge], but he’s spearheaded multiple student-athlete breakthroughs. He will be pivotal in positioning our program as a hub for elite middle and distance swimming.”
Completing this triumvirate is Chunting (Cara) Wu. Currently a graduate assistant and pursuing her master’s in social work at UK, Wu boasts an impressive diving career, representing China. Her accolades include clinching gold at renowned events such as the World Junior Diving Championships, FINA Diving Grand Prix, and FISU World University Games.
Lundgaard was effusive in his praise for Wu, sharing, “Cara’s world-class competitive experience is unparalleled. As a World University Games Champion and a top diver in China, she brings invaluable expertise to our team. Her holistic approach, focusing on both mental and physical aspects of training and competition, is something I deeply value.”
With such a seasoned and talented staff, the Kentucky Swimming & Diving program is poised for another year of success and is eager to dive into the 2023-24 season.