BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb University swimming announced today that Tanya Hobbs has joined the programs as an assistant coach.
Hobbs, a former University of Georgia All-American, was an Olympic Trials qualifier in 1998, 1992, 1996 and 2000. She is currently coaching at SwimMAC Carolina, where she has been on staff for the past two years.
It will be the second stint at Gardner-Webb for Hobbs, who spent three seasons as a volunteer assistant coach from 2004-2007 with the Runnin’ Bulldogs. Her coaching experience is extensive, with five years as the head coach of the Forest City (N.C.) Swim Team and a coach with YSSC in Spartanburg, S.C., for four years.
During Hobbs’ first three seasons on staff with Gardner-Webb, the women’s team won NEC team titles three times and produced numerous individual championships and All-NEC honorees. Standout Terra Wilson earn All-America honors in the 200m free in 2006-2007 and honorable mention All-America honors in the 100m free in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Taylor Simpson earned ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America first-team honors in 2005-2006.
A native of Forest City, N.C., Hobbs was an All-American while swimming at Georgia from 1990-1992. She was also an All-SEC performer in the 100m and 200m back – as well as the 200m free. The former East Rutherford (N.C.) High star was named Rutherford County Athlete of the Year in 1998 and ranked second nationally in the backstroke, eighth in the world in the 100m backstroke and placed second at the U.S. National Championships in the 100m backstroke.
“I am so excited to once again be able to coach on the college level,” said Hobbs. “I cannot wait to be a part of such a great program at Gardner-Webb and join a great coaching staff. I look forward to meeting new faces and establishing great relationships.”
Hobbs graduated from Georgia with a degree in consumer economics and is current working on an additional degree as a Certified Health Coach and Sports Nutrition Practitioner.
Swimming news courtesy of Gardner-Webb Swimming.