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Coaches |
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Kent Kirchner kkirchner@conroeisd.net |
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After a decade at the wheel of the Men’s and Women’s Swimming Program at The Woodlands High School, Coach Kent Kirchner once again finished an already record breaking season with a State Title in the Women’s 5A Championship in Austin, Texas. This phenomenal showing proved once again The Highlanders are among of the best in the sport with recognition at the district, regional, state and national levels. The 2009 State Trophy added to growing collection including 5A State Titles in 2000 and 2004 for Men’s Swimming and Diving and in 2006 for Women’s. With a tradition of excellence at the state level, it is only natural that Coach Kirchner and The Highlanders have also excelled in the National rankings. Both were ranked number one in the country in Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving in 2008 as determined by The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. Such accolades in the pool stem not only from determined and dedicated athletes but from their coaches as well. Kirchner was awarded 2009 State 5A Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year and 2008 State 5A and Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year along with 2004 State 5A Men's Swimming Coach of the Year. Before stepping onto the deck, Kent gained first-hand experience at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio both as a two-time NCAA All-American Swimmer in 1972 and 1973 and as the school’s Athlete of the Year in 1974. Following his All-American tenure with the Vikings, Kent began his journey to becoming one of America’s leading High School Swimming Coaches by coaching his younger brother Kris in his preparation for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Unfortunately the Olympic story ends there as the United States boycotted the games and neither Kris nor his older brother and coach were able to attend. After helping his brother to reach the highest level in competitive swimming, a potential Olympic berth, Kirchner became head coach for the Fort Smith Tideriders. During his time there, he lead his team to two U.S. Open and American records in both the 200 Medley Relay and the 200 Meter Freestyle Relay. Then, Kirchner headed north to take over the head coaching position at Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, Missouri where he earned Coach of the Year for the Association of Mid-Continent Universities in 1983. He then returned to Fort Smith, to the University of Arkansas from 1985-1989 where he headed the perennial national powerhouse Razorbacks including 12 All-American Swimmers and Divers. In addition, Kirchner was also meet director for the 1986 Women’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, Southwest Conference Coach of the Year in 1987 and was Vice President of the Christian Swimming Coaches Association in 1989. He also coached the 1987 Pan-American Games silver medalist Mike Neuhofel. Before accepting his current position in The Woodlands, Kirchner was the head coach at Kokomo High School in Indiana for four years and was the director of the 450-plus student Kokomo Swim School. Kent was a State Champion Swimmer at Solon High School in Ohio in 1971, graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree for Cleveland State in 1975 and received his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Arkansas in 1981. Kirchner and his wife Cheryl have three children; Kale, Kody and Kirby and a daughter-in-law Jennifer, Kale’s wife. |
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Diane Picone dpicone@conroeisd.net |
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Assistant Coach |
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Daniel Sautural dsautural@conroeisd.net |
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Diving Coach |
