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Shana Welch Joins Harvard Water Polo Coaching Staff
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Shana Welch, a three-time All-America selection at the University of Michigan, has been named the assistant coach of Harvard University men's and women's water polo, head coach Erik Farrar announced.
"I am extremely pleased to welcome Shana Welch as the new assistant coach of Harvard men's and women's water polo," Farrar said. "I look forward to Shana making a significant impact in all areas of our program."
Welch comes to Harvard after serving as the assistant coach of men's and women's swimming at Bucknell University for one season. With the Bison programs, Welch was responsible for recruiting, fundraising, academic monitoring, facilitating community service projects and creating dry land and strength programs. During her stint with Bucknell, Welch helped the program break 27 team records.
She began her coaching career as a strength and conditioning intern at Michigan in 2008. In that position, she was responsible for training student-athletes to reach a higher level of strength and athletic prowess and created strength-training routines for student-athletes.
Welch, one of the most honored players in Michigan water polo history, was named to the American Water Polo Coaches Association (AWPCA) All-America team on three occasions and was a three-time Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Western Division Most Valuable Player. She established new program records for career goals (297) and points (393), served as captain of the Wolverines in her junior and senior seasons and was the recipient of the Michigan Athletic Academic Achievement Award in 2006 and 2007, as well as the Bob Ufer Senior Athlete Award in 2007. Welch was tabbed the CWPA Rookie of the Year in 2005 and was a USA Speedo Top 40 in 2005 and 2006.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Michigan in 2007, Welch played professional water polo for the UWA Perth Comets in Australia for one year.
A native of Larksville, Pa., Welch achieved All-America recognition from the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association in both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events while a student at Wyoming Valley West High School. Her 14 years of competitive swimming experience helped her to become a four-time conference swimmer of the year and she received 15 PIAA District II swimming medals, while also winning four letters each in water polo and soccer.
Release courtesy Harvard University Athletic Communications
