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A Canadian Youth and Junior National Champion who competed at two Olympic Trials, Andrew Dragunas was named the 15th swimming coach in the history of the Lycoming College swimming program, director of athletics Mike Clark announced on Thursday.
"Throughout the interview process, we were impressed with Coach Dragunas' vast knowledge of the sport of swimming," Clark said. "His time as an elite junior swimmer in Canada as well as his time as a Division I swimmer at East Carolina University are impressive on their own. His work in swimming biomechanics is vast and will really give Lycoming swimmers a distinct edge as they work to improve throughout their careers. In the past five years, he has gotten a taste of Division III, and he has taken to heart the mantra: Discover, Develop, Dedicate. We are excited to see the development that the team will show under his tutelage."
At Vassar, Dragunas made a quick impact as an assistant coach, as he and coach Lisl Prater-Lee and diving coach Mitchell Katz combined to win the Liberty League Women's Coaching Staff of the Year award in 2020, as the Brewers finished fourth at both the men's and women's championships.
Dragunas arrived at Vassar following a three-year stint as the assistant swimming and diving coach at Oswego State University. With the Lakers, he helped both programs grow and become a dominant force in the SUNYAC. On the men's side, Oswego went 25-5 during his tenure, going from fifth at the SUNYAC Championships to second in 2018. On the women's side, he helped lead the Lakers to a 19-11 mark in dual meet action, rising from eighth to third at the championships.
A native of Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Dragunas was the 200-meter butterfly champion at the 1997 Canadian Youth Championships (2:09.89, LCM) and the 2000 Canadian Junior National Championships (2:05.91, LCM).