by Ketan Dhawan
Daily Lobo
The UNM swim team has a new role model.
Tracy Ljone just took over as assistant coach, and said she loves her new job. Ljone is pursuing a doctorate in sports administration at UNM.
"I'm really excited," she said. "I hope to bring a lot of enthusiasm and positive work ethic to the team."
Ljone comes from a very athletic background. She attended the University of South Carolina, where she received her bachelor's degree in exercise science and competed in the butterfly for the swim team.
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Ljone then went to Georgia Southern University for her master's degree in sports administration. Soon after, she landed a job as head coach of the Eagles' swim team. She coached there for three years before relocating to New Mexico to work on a doctorate.
After a year and a half of pursuing her degree in sports administration, Ljone said she realized she was yearning for a past feeling.
"I missed coaching," she said. "It just worked out really well that the team lost their assistant coach."
Ljone replaces former assistant swim coach Lindsie Miko.
In March, Ljone took over duties as assistant coach under Bill Spahn. She said she is very happy with her job so far, working under the direction of Spahn.
"I'm thoroughly enjoying myself," Ljone said. "It's really good working with Coach Spahn. He's been doing this for so long, and I'm excited to learn new techniques and training ideas from him."
Spahn has been coaching swimming for 36 years. He has coached at UNM for 24.
Ljone has also worked as a strength coach and her experience could prove invaluable to the team. She is planning to be very involved in the Lobos' conditioning and training.
"We're doing a lot of dry-land type of stuff," Ljone said. "This includes medicine ball training, rope climbing, pull-ups, running and that type of strength conditioning."
As for next season, Ljone is ready for action. She said the swim team is strong and will continue to excel.
This year, four swimmers and two divers were named to the All-Mountain West Conference team including: Robyn Miller, Aimee Dunavant, Corinne Ellis, Kelsey Leckovic, Becca Barras and Tracey Berghian.
Ljone said the team can only improve.
"We had really good spring training," she says. "Now they'll all go home and train with their local club teams over the summer. There's also going to be a lot of good recruits coming in, so I'm very excited."
