Oct. 16, 2002

Lexington, Ky. – Azurdee Engel, a former three-year captain of the Tennessee swim team, has been hired as assistant coach for the University of Kentucky swimming team, Coach Gary Conelly has announced.

Engel, a native of Duluth, Ga., comes to Kentucky from the University of Tennessee, where she swam from 1997-2001. She was captain of the UT swim team from ’99-’01 and owns the sixth-fastest 200-freestyle time in school history. Engel graduated from Tennessee in 2002 with a degree in Art History.

“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to coach at such a great program this soon out of college,” Engel said. “I’m excited for the season and for the chance to work with the coaches and student-athletes at Kentucky.”

Engel gained coaching experience working at the Stanford University swim camps this past summer with Stanford head coach Skip Kenney and coaching the Tennessee Masters swim team last year. She worked with several Ironman Triathletes in her time with the Masters swim team, while also working swimming camps at UT. She will work primarily with middle distance and distance swimmers for the UK staff.

“Azurdee is a great addition to our staff,” Conelly said. “Her swimming experience and work ethic will be great benefits to our program.”

The swimming and diving teams will be in action this Saturday, Oct. 19, as they play host to the Kentucky Relay Meet at the Lancaster Aquatic Center. Start time is slated for 2 p.m. and admission is free.