HEAD COACH NICK LAKIN

Nick Lakin enters his third season as UNI swimming and diving head coach in 2019.

During his tenure, UNI has won two relay events and nine individual conference titles. Seven different swimmers have received first team All-MVC honors, including Crystal Florman who captured MVC Swimmer of the Year honors in 2019.

In 2018-19, Lakin guided UNI to a fourth place finish at the MVC Championships in Columbia, Missouri. Seven swimmers earned first team or honorable mention All-MVC honors. Katie Taylor was awarded the Elite 17 award for athletics and academic performance.

The Panthers collected victories in the 200 and 400 medley relays, breaking school records in both races. Florman won three individual events en route to Swimmer of the Year honors. Taylor and Moriah Ross claimed two individual titles each.

During his first season at the helm, Lakin led the Panthers to a third place finish at the MVC Championships in Iowa City. Nine swimmers and divers earned first team or honorable mention All-MVC honors including two-event champion Katie Taylor.

Six school records fell during the 2017-18 season. Taylor broke the conference record in the 400 individual medley at the MVC Championships.

Diver Izzy Bunchek competed in the NCAA Zone competition.

Prior to UNI, Lakin served as the head coach and program director for the Black Hawk Area Swim Team. Beginning in 2003, he designed and implemented competitive swimming progressions for more than 200 athletes aged 5-22. He developed and maintained working relationships with area high school coaches, local organizations and donors. During his time, Lakin developed more than 50 athletes who progressed to the collegiate level.

He designed recruiting and marketing plans for new athletes along with retention reports to track the progress of his team. Lakin developed booster and sponsor programs that have increased alumni and community involvement. He also oversaw a club communication program that has increased knowledge and support with athletes and families.

Lakin has served the Iowa Swim Coaches Association Board of Directors president and vice president. He was honored as the Iowa Senior Coach of the Year in 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2013. He and his staff have been named the Age Group Staff of the Year in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in advertising at Marist College in 2002. Lakin was a 10-time conference champion and was a four-time conference all-academic selection as a swimming student-athlete. He captained the men’s team to a top-10 mid-major ranking and two conference titles.

He and his wife, Jen, have three children Trey, Maddax, and Crosby.