Walthall Adds Karz, Allison To Swimming & Diving Staff

Walthall Adds Karz, Allison To Swimming & Diving Staff

Ashland University men's and women's swimming and diving head coach Kyle Walthall recently announced the hiring of Eryka Karz as the program's assistant coach. Walthall also named Michael Allison as the program's graduate assistant, primarily working with the diving program

Karz comes to Ashland after most recently serving as the assistant aquatic director at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus and as a private instructor at the Columbus Swim School.

"Both Eryka and Mike bring with them a wealth of knowledge and great enthusiasm for our sport," Walthall said. "I am looking forward to working with them and bringing Ashland Swim & Dive to new heights."

Karz spent the 2016-17 season as the assistant women's swimming coach at Cal State East Bay where she was involved in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, training, leading practices and arranging travel.

"I am thankful and excited to be joining the Ashland University swimming & diving family," Karz said. "I'm looking forward to having our student-athletes back on campus and working with them every day."

Karz was a volunteer men's swimming assistant coach at The Ohio State University during the 2015-16 season, working in all aspects of the program as the squad finished third at the Big Ten Championships and placed 20 athletes in Olympic Trial qualifiers. 

She has also spent time working as a director, teacher and public relations coordinator at the Bill Wadley Swim Academy in Columbus and was an assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ill.

Karz was an NCAA Division I swimmer at the University of Vermont, graduating in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education with a concentration in English.

"Eryka is going to be a great addition to the athletic department," Walthall said. "Her ability to relate to athletes and build lasting relationships is going to be a great asset to the program. That, coupled with her knowledge of the sport, will help our Eagles continue to grow through the years to come."

Allison recently graduated from Clarion University where he competed as a diver for the NCAA Division II program. He earned All-America status as a senior in the 1-meter and 3-meter events.

He has previously worked as a camp counselor and youth coach at Westminster College and as an assistant coach with the North Clarion High School track & field team.

He was a three-time scholar athlete at Clarion, earning his bachelor's degree in sport management.

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