The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater swimming and diving team has named a new head coach.

Elise Knoche, formerly of from Division I Southern Illinois University (SIU), led SIU athletes to earn more than 80 all-conference honors and break nearly 40 school records.

“Coach Knoche is a kind person and is passionate about enhancing the student-athlete experience,” said Chris Lindeke, UW-W Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communications and Branding. “She is also someone who is highly competitive and will do all she can do put our student-athletes in position to succeed.”

Before Knoche was a coach at SIU, she was both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach and aquatics director at Olivet College (Mich.) from 2012-14. She also has prior coaching experience at the University of St. Thomas (Minn.), Oberlin College (Ohio) and Carleton College (Minn.).

“I’m looking forward to getting to know Elise as a person and coach,” men’s senior captain Chandler Lewis said. “I’m also excited to see the challenges she will provide us as a team. I think Elise has a reputation of being very good with recruiting, organization and understanding all athletes, and I think that is exactly what we need.”

Knoche graduated from Carleton in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and from the University of Minnesota in 2011 with a Master of Education in applied kinesiology, sport and exercise science.

“I am excited for both teams to match Knoche’s level of intensity and see what they can do this season,” junior back Erin Locante said. “Both of our teams are really close and supportive of each other. Joel gave us a strong foundation and we have great captains this year. That will be enough to get us all through the adjustment period of having a new coach.”

In addition to her role as head coach for both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams, Knoche will also serve as an instructor in the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Coaching. She began her journey with UW-W on Aug. 22.