Jorgensen Named Assistant Coach of the 2019 U.S. World University Games Team
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky swimming and diving head coach Lars Jorgensen was selected as an assistant coach of the 2019 U.S. World University Games team, announced by USA Swimming on Wednesday. National Team Managing Director Lindsay Mintenko appointed eight of the country’s top coaches to lead the international team.
The 52-member squad is made up of swimmers from 17 college programs, which will represent the United Stated in Naples, Italy, July 4-10, 2019. The Games’ organizing committee invited 202 countries to attend the bi-annual event. In 2017, it attracted 145 countries. The Games are expected to bring 170 participating countries this summer.
The 2019 Games will feature 18 sports and events over the course of 11 days. In addition to swimming, archery, athletics, basketball, diving, fencing, football, gymnastics (artistic), gymnastics (rhythmic), judo, rugby sevens, sailing, shooting sport, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball and water polo will be featured events.
Jorgensen is in his sixth season as head coach of the swimming and diving program at Kentucky, after serving as the associate head coach under long-time Wildcat Gary Conelly from 2011-12. In 2018-19, he led the women’s team to a third-place finish at the Southeastern Conference Championships for the second time in three years, and its third straight top-15 finish at the NCAA Championships. Under his leadership, the women’s team earned 19 NCAA All-America honors at the 2019 national meet.
In addition, he helped hoist the UK men on a pedestal in the 2018-19 season. For the first time in 12 years, the men’s team defeated Louisville. One month later, the Wildcats finished in seventh at the conference meet, its highest finish in seven years. Rounding out a noteworthy season, the UK men earned a top-25 finish at the NCAA Championships, the best finish since 2012-13.
Jorgensen is joined at the World University Games by junior swimmer Asia Seidt, who was selected to swim on the team in the 200 backstroke in October.
USA Swimming is the official selection committee for swimmers and coaches to represent the United States team.
For the latest on the Kentucky swimming and diving program, follow @UKSwimDive on Twitter and on Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at UKathletics.com.
