Two Time Olympian Named Fairfield Swim Coach
¶¶Ňô»ĆƬapp Director of Athletics Eugene P. Doris has announced that Janelle Atkinson-Wignall has been named head coach of the Stags men’s and women’s swimming & diving program. Atkinson-Wignall becomes the first female head coach in program history.
“Janelle is a great fit to build upon the foundation of our program and bring it to new heights,” Doris said. “She has experienced first-hand competitive swimming at the highest level as an athlete and uses that competitive edge in her coaching. In addition, we’re confident that her enthusiasm and dedication to the sport will help Fairfield Swimming & Diving flourish.”
In her four years as a UConn assistant coach, Atkinson-Wignall served as recruiting coordinator for both the men’s and women’s teams and helped the team set numerous records in freestyle events. On the international stage, USA Swimming appointed Atkinson-Wignall head coach for the first Southern Zone Diversity Summer Select Camp.
A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Atkinson-Wignall is a two-time Olympian who finished fourth in the 400-meter freestyle and ninth in the 800-meter freestyle in 2000 Sydney Games. She competed in the 2004 Athens Games, and medaled at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the 2001 Goodwill Games, and the 1999 Pan-American Games.
Atkinson-Wignall earned 10 All-America honors while competing at the University of Florida and was the 1999-2000 National High School Swimmer of the Year.
The ¶¶Ňô»ĆƬapp swim team will be offering swimming lessons this fall beginning September. The lessons – September 14, September 21, September 28, October 5, and October 19 – are available for swimmers of all ages and abilities.
Registration is provided on a first come, first serve basis and spots will fill up quickly as space is limited. Contact fairfielduswimlessons@gmail.com to find out more about the swim lessons.