Thayer hires Erin Swenson Gorrall to lead Swim Program

Thayer hires Erin Swenson Gorrall to lead Swim Program

Thayer Academy has named Erin Swenson Gorrall the head coach of the swim program, which will begin this winter.

Swenson Gorrall’s comprehensive knowledge of the sport, her experience as a Division I scholar-athlete in the sport, and her passion for student health and well-being are tremendous assets, said Athletic Director Bobbi Moran, who shared the good news with Academy parents and guardians last month. 

“We’re incredibly excited to have Erin as our head swim coach,” said Moran. "Coach Swenson Gorrall is committed to the overall health and well-being of scholar-athletes. I’m thrilled our team and program will have her at the helm. She will bring excellent expertise and continuity to the team and has already begun to think creatively about how to best improve upon the strong foundation that has been established.”

A native of St. Louis, MO, Swenson Gorrall swam collegiately at Northwestern University. She participated in the NCAA’s Big Ten conference, as an All-American and a ten-time Big Ten finalist. She was a competitive swimmer for fifteen years and was an Olympic trial qualifier in six events.

I grew up in a part of St. Louis where my mom worked hard as a teacher to send me to the best private program in town - Clayton Shaw Park. This gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams of living a bigger life. That is what swimming does. It teaches us discipline, self-care, commitment to excellence, and grit. After winning high school championships in my freshman year in the 100 fly and 50 and 100 free, I focused on club swimming. But high school swimming was always my best feeling of team camaraderie. I swam at Nationals, Olympic Trials, and NCAA’s multiple times. I received scholarship offers from over 100 universities and chose to swim for the Northwestern University Wildcats. I was swim team captain in my junior and senior years, and an All-American NCAA athlete. This gave me such pride and experience, and I now hope to repay that to the new young swimmers coming up.”

Moran pointed to the depth of coaching and swimming experience Swenson Gorrall brings to Thayer’s program. Throughout the hiring process, she said, Swenson Gorrall exhibited a commitment to and passion for the future of Thayer swim and a desire to build upon the great foundation that has been established.

“Erin’s knowledge of swimming and her passion for the health and well-being of all those involved in the program regardless of their previous ability will help to build upon the excellent foundation of Thayer swimming in the NEPSAC league,” said Moran. “We’re excited to welcome Erin into our Tiger family.

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