Samantha Nelson joins the Iowa Lakes Community College Athletic Department as the new Head Swimming and Diving Coach.

With 15 years of swimming experience and four years of club and collegiate swim coaching experience, Nelson brings a strong passion for the sport, the determination to succeed, and the love of supporting student-athletes to achieve their academic, athletic, and life goals.

"I am very excited to welcome Samantha to Iowa Lakes as our head swimming and diving coach and enrollment coach with the Admissions Department. She brings great enthusiasm and passion for swimming and has very good experience in coaching the sport. Samantha will be able to coach our swimmers up, and I'm looking forward to the growth within our program," said Troy Larson, Executive Dean of Students and Athletic Director.

Nelson previously coached on the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Men's and Women's Swim Team as a volunteer coach for two years, on the Brooking Swim Club in Brookings, South Dakota, as an assistant coach for four years, and helped coach the Pool and Yacht team in her hometown of Eagan, Minnesota.

"I am beyond excited for the opportunity Iowa Lakes has granted me. I would like to thank Larson and President Stokes for their trust and support in my vision for Iowa Lakes Swimming and Diving. I am overjoyed to coach this awesome group of men and women and look forward to continuing a legacy of excellence at Iowa Lakes," shared Nelson.

Before coaching, Nelson swam for the varsity team at Henry Sibley High School in West St. Paul, Minnesota, for four years and earned Team Captain her senior year. She also swam for the Pool and Yacht team.