Haley Meryl enters her fourth year as the Occidental Swimming and Diving Coach and Director of Aquatics Operations. In her first season, the team broke five program records on their way to 4th and 5th place finishes in the SCIAC for the women and men, respectively. In addition to success in the pool and the classroom, the team produced a finalist for DIII LGBTQ athlete of the year.
Previously, Meryl spent the three years serving as the assistant coach for Davidson College, as well as prior assistant coaching stints at Army West Point, Kenyon College and her alma mater, The Ohio State University.
"I am very excited to announce Haley as the new leader for our swim and dive programs. She has been a part of outstanding programs and I am confident she will thrive in her head coaching debut," Ness said. "Throughout the search process, I was very impressed with her positive energy, vision for the program and commitment to the student-athlete experience. I have no doubt she will contribute to the culture of excellence within Occidental Athletics and be a wonderful addition to our campus community."
During Meryl's last NCAA Division III stop, she enjoyed lots of success. She helped lead the Kenyon College men's team to two NCAA National Championships in 2013 and 2014, the Kenyon women's team to a pair of runner up finishes and she coached seven individual NCAA champions.
"I am incredibly honored for the opportunity to lead the men's and women's swimming and diving program at Occidental," Meryl said. "I am excited to join such a diverse and wonderful community. I would like to extend my gratitude to Director of Athletics Shanda Ness, I am thrilled to be a part of her staff and vision for the future."
Before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Ohio State Fisher College of Business in June 2010, Meryl helped set varsity records in the 200-yard medley and 400-yard freestyle relays. She was a four-time Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and was named an Academic All-Big Ten selection her final three seasons in Columbus. As a senior, Meryl was named a captain for the 2009-10 season.
Meryl earned her Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Science from Ohio University in August 2014.
