By: Madie Brink
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – USF Swimming head coach Chris Hamstra has announced his resignation following five seasons with the Cougars. Hamstra will take over the head coaching role at Alma College in Alma, Michigan.
"I'm incredibly grateful for my time at USF," stated Hamstra. "The people here at USF are amazing and the joy of working with our student athletes and the support of the campus community is what makes Sioux Falls a special place."
Throughout his tenure, Hamstra has produced 14 NCAA Division II All-Americans along with 26 Academic All-Americans. He helped lead USF to their longest conference dual meet winning streak of 17 from 2019-2021 while leading the squad to an 8-0 record during the 2019-20 season.
Cougar Swimming's winningest coach, finishes his USF career with an overall 42-19 dual meet record. His team has captured 25 conference event championships along with 5 NSIC meet records, 13 school records, 42 B cut times and 82 All-Conference honors.
"Under Coach Hamstra's leadership, USF's NCAA Division II Women's Swim Program has performed exceptionally in both competition and in academics," stated President Dr. Brett Bradfield. "While we are saddened by his departure, he knows we fully support him in this family decision and express our sincere gratitude for his commitment to inspiring excellence in our program."
Following Hamstra's departure, assistant coach Anna Moore will assume Interim Head Coach duties effective November 6.
Moore is in her second season with the program after helping lead the program to 4th place NSIC finish last season along with 12 all-conference academic honorees and 1 NCAA DII placer.
Prior to coming to USF, Moore served as the top assistant coach for the Oberlin College swimming and diving program from 2021-22. Before her time at Oberlin College, Moore was at Ithaca College where she assisted in all facets of the program from practice planning, technique training, lineup generation and social media to recruiting. She also taught private swimming lessons to youth groups and served as an aquatic manager at Aqua-Tots.
A two-time NCAA national qualifier during her time at Albion College, Moore is the only first-year woman from the MIAA to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships as an individual. At Albion College, she earned multiple all-conference awards. With the Britons, Moore still holds school records in the 400-free relay (3:30.20), 400-medley relay (3:51.73), 100-yard backstroke (55.84) and 200-yard backstroke (2:03.95).
Moore graduated with a degree in psychology from Albion in 2019 and has recently earned her master's in exercise and sport science (concentration in sports psychology) from Ithaca College in New York.
About University of Sioux Falls Athletics
USF competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level, and is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Men's programs include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, indoor and outdoor track & field and wrestling. Women's programs include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track & field, volleyball and wrestling.
About University of Sioux Falls
Founded 140 years ago, the University of Sioux Falls is a transformative Christian liberal arts university serving over 1,600 students through traditional undergraduate programs as well as graduate, evening and online degree programs including a Doctorate in Leadership. USF is committed to academic excellence and the development of mature Christian persons for service to God and humankind in the world through its more than 90 programs in business, education, nursing and many more including the Center for Professional Development. A recent survey showed an impressive 99% of graduates were either employed or continued on to graduate or professional school within six months of graduation. Additionally, 74% of graduates started their careers in South Dakota, and of those, 94% lived in Sioux Falls or within 30 miles. Learn more at www.usiouxfalls.edu.
