CINCINNATI — University of Cincinnati swimming and diving coach Mandy Commons-DiSalle has announced the completion of her coaching staff for the 2015-16 season.
Pieter Ritz has joined the staff as assistant swimming coach, joining Josh Schneider who returns for his second season at his alma mater. Additionally, former Bearcats diver Kirtley Krombholz takes over as diving coach, while former UC swimmers Joe Scherpenberg (director of operations) and Joey Ferreri (student assistant coach) round out the staff.
Pieter Ritz, a former collegiate swimmer at Cleveland State, is in his first season as assistant swimming coach at the University of Cincinnati.
Ritz comes to Clifton following one season as volunteer assistant coach at Florida Gulf Coast. At FGCU, he was involved in coaching while also serving as the meet coordinator working with Hy-Tek and Meet Manager to coordinate home meets and meet entries. Additionally, he served as an assistant age group coach and assistant senior coach for the Gulf Coast Swim Team in Fort Myers, Florida. He prepared work-outs and assisted the head coach, first with seniors and later with ages 7-13.
Prior to his time in Florida, Ritz was a graduate assistant coach at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He oversaw recruiting and managed the scholarship budget over two years. He also worked as a lifeguard and aquatics instructor during his collegiate career at Cleveland State. During his two seasons at Henderson State, the program sent a total of six student-athletes to the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships.
Ritz swam for the Vikings from 2008-12. He served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council for three years, while he also was part of the Academic Athletic Achievement program from 2009-12. As a senior, he was named the Men’s Swimming Leadership Award winner.
The Fort Myers, Florida, native graduated from Cleveland State in 2012 with a degree in communication and film. He completed a master’s in sport administration at Henderson State University in 2014, placing on the Dean’s List all four semesters and receiving the 2014 College Swimming Coaches Association of America Jean Freeman Scholarship.
Former University of Cincinnati diver Kirtley Krombholz is in her first season as diving coach at her alma mater.
Most recently, Krombholz worked at the Mile High Dive Club, assisting the head coaches in training elite level divers, while also providing strength and conditioning instructions for divers of all levels. She has also served as the club manager at Delta 1018 Fitness Center and served as a diving coach and lifeguard at Indian Hill Club, Cincinnati Country Club and Madeira Swim and Tennis Club. She has USA Diving Safety Certification, as well as being an ACE Certified Personal Trainer.
Krombholz competed on the board for the Bearcats from 2007-11. She qualified for the NCAA Zone Championships twice and was a BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete. She earned her undergraduate degree from UC in health promotion and education, exercise and fitness. She completed a master’s degree in health education, exercise management at UC in 2012. The Cincinnati native is a product of Indian Hill High School.
The Bearcats open the 2015-16 season on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Indiana, before hosting the first home meet with Xavier and Cleveland State on Friday, Oct. 16. Fans are invited to experience UC swimming and diving all season long with complimentary admission at the Keating Aquatics Center.
Swimming news courtesy of Cincinnati Swimming & Diving.