(Estherville, Iowa) Iowa Lakes Community College Athletics Director Troy Larson is pleased to announce the hiring of former Laker stand-out Giordan Harris as the new Head Men's & Women's Swimming Coach, pending board approval.
Excited to have Coach Harris return as the Head Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Coach, Larson shared, " Harris was a high-level athlete while at Iowa Lakes Community College cumulating in his swimming in the Olympics games. He has been very successful in college and as a club coach, and his passion for Iowa Lakes made him the right choice to lead our swimming program. We are looking forward to Coach Harris elevating the Iowa Lakes Swimming and Diving program and competing at the national level."
Harris comes to Iowa Lakes after serving as an assistant for the Division I St. Louis University (SLU), where he coached over 70 swimmers, primarily working with the Sprint and individual medley groups. Harris wrapped up his time at SLU, having helped coach two school records and one bronze medalist in the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship.
Harris also served as Interim Head Coach for his alma mater Division II Maryville University. Under Harris, the team finished with its highest-scoring season, nine new school records, and College Swimming and Diving Coaches Associate of America (CSCAA) Scholar All Americans for the men's and women's teams in the 2019-2020 season and the 2020-2021 season.
Harris has had an illustrious career as an athlete. From 2013-2015 while attending Iowa Lakes, Harris served as team captain, earned the 2015 Coaches Award and 2015 Most Improved award. That year he was an NJCAA Nationals bronze and silver medalist and multiple team record holder. In addition, he aided the men's team in achieving their highest NJCAA Nationals with an overall finish of 2nd place and was named an NJCAA All-American.
"I loved my time spent as a Laker; I made lifelong friends and learned so much from the faculty, staff, and students, skills that served me well as I launched my career. It is an absolute dream to be able to return to the team as the head coach and be able to help Iowa Lakes swimmers achieve their swim and career goals."
The Marshall Islands native has competed widely at both the collegiate and international levels. At Maryville University, he was team captain, a Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) finalist, team record holder, and received the 2016 GLVC James R Spalding Sportsmanship Award. At Maryville, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Cyber Security with a minor in Business Administration.
Internationally, Harris represented his home country of the Marshall Islands in numerous international meets, including:
• South Pacific Games
• Oceania Championships
• 6 x FINA World Championships (SCM & LCM)
• 2010 Youth Olympic Games
• 2012 Olympic Games in London
• 2016 Olympic Games in Rio
To learn more about Athletic programs at Iowa Lakes, please visit iowalakesathletics.com
Media: For additional information, please contact the Iowa Lakes Sports Information Office at (712) 362-7928.
Photo Caption: Giordan Harris named Iowa Lakes Community Colleges Head Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving Coach.