EYLER NAMED UNCW ASSISTANT SWIMMING COACH

&^%&^%WILMINGTON, N.C. - Former West Chester University swimming star and Springfield College graduate assistant coach Meredith Eyler (pronounced EYE-lir) has been named assistant swimming and diving coach at UNC Wilmington.

&^%&^%Eyler, 25, joins the successful Seahawk programs after a two-year run at Springfield, where she earned her graduate degree and helped the Pride continue as an NCAA Division III power. Springfield's women won their sixth consecutive New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) title last season, while the men won the championship for the first time two years ago

&^%&^%"We're very pleased to have Meredith join our staff," said longtime UNCW coach Dave Allen. "She has experience on the high school, club and collegiate levels and will bring a great deal of enthusiasm as well as knowledge of our program to the job."&^%&^%Eyler, who will work with UNCW's distance swimmers, swam at Bel Air (Md.) High School and the Harford County Y Hurricanes before attending West Chester. She swam four years for Coach Jamie Rudisill at West Chester, earning a host of honors.

&^%&^%As a sophomore, Eyler collected NCAA Division II All-American honors as a sophomore in the 800 Freestyle Relay and was an Honorable Mention All-American in the 1,650 Freestyle as well. As a junior, the Baltimore native won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship in the 1,650 Freestyle and was an Honorable Mention All-American in the 500 Freestyle, 1,000 Freestyle, 1,650 Freestyle and 400 Individual Medley. As a senior, Eyler picked up All-American laurels in the mile, along with Honorable Mention recognition in the 500 Freestyle and 1,000 Freestyle.

&^%&^%Eyler then served as an assistant coach at Henderson High School in West Chester and led the Golden Ram Aquatics Club, working with the 11-14 age group. In 2003-04, Eyler originated the Atlantic Coast Athletic Club, and concentrated on the 15-18 bracket.

&^%&^%For the last two years, Eyler has assisted Coach John Taffe's team at Springfield, working mainly with the team's distance swimmers.

&^%&^%"I've known about the UNCW program for many years and am very pleased to become a part of it," said Eyler. "I met Coach Allen a few years back and enjoyed talking with him about the team. He's been successful here and knows the sport so well."

&^%&^%Eyler earned her B.S. Degree in Kinesiology from West Chester in 2002 and completed her M.S. in Physical Education from Springfield in May.