Northwestern University announced the following additions: Joe Bonk To the coaching staff for the 2024-2025 season. Bonk most recently served as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia.
“We are excited to welcome Joe Bonk to our swim and dive staff,” said Northwestern head coach Rachel Stratton-Mills. “Joe brings a wealth of experience from both his swimming and coaching backgrounds and a deep passion for the sport that aligns perfectly with the values and goals of our team. I am confident that your dedication will greatly strengthen our program and lead our athletes to new achievements. Welcome to the team, Joe!
Bonk most recently spent last season at the University of Virginia, where he served as an assistant coach during the expansion of the NCAA swimming and diving coaching staff. Bonk led the Virginia women's team to both the ACC and NCAA titles, while the Virginia men's team finished fifth in the ACC and 17th in the NCAA.
Prior to arriving at Virginia, Bonk spent three years with the Wilton Wahoo varsity team in Connecticut from 2020-2023. Prior to coaching the Wilton Wahoos, Bonk spent a season as a volunteer assistant coach at Fairfield University in Connecticut. He also served as William Peace University's recruiting coordinator during the 2017-18 season.
As a student-athlete, Bonk spent two years at Virginia Tech before transferring to North Carolina State University to finish his career. He was primarily a short-distance freestyler, being an ACC Champion three times, a two-time U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier, and three NCAA Championships. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in sports and fitness management/management.
Bonk is the newest coach to join the Wildcats. last summer, Rachel Stratton Mills was hired by Arizona State University as the team's next head coach following the retirement of katie robinson.Also added Stratton Mills. Margaret Howe and Jacob Shear To the staff.
Steve Iida and jake tap Only two of the swim coaches served as assistants under Robinson last season. Tapp has been removed from the school's website as an associate head coach since the start of the 2024 offseason.
At the 2024 Big Ten Championships, the Northwestern women finished seventh out of 12 teams and the men finished sixth out of eight teams. Both programs sent swimmers to the NCAA Championships, with Ira Spitz scoring 17 points for the girls and Andrew Martin and Diego Nosak finishing 38th with one point for the boys.
