Ohio State’s Linda Witter Named Assistant Coach for the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Team – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Artistic Swimming
Dec. 19, 2003
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Linda Witter, Ohio State synchronized swimming head coach, has been named the assistant coach for the 2004 U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Team. The squad will be representing the United States at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Witter, who has led the Ohio State program to six national titles in eight years, has also been involved in various international events with U.S. National teams and most recently was the assistant coach for the 2003 Pan American Team that captured gold in Santo Domingo over the summer.
“This means everything to me because the athletes selected me,” Witter said. “It is such an honor to be able to go to Athens, where the Olympics originally began. That has got to be the biggest high. It’s scary because the pressure is unbelievable, but it will be an amazing experience.”
Former Ohio State athlete, Becky Jasontek (1994-97) also has been named to the 2004 National Team. Jasontek was selected for the team in May 2003. The final three spots for the team were announced this evening after the final trials procedure in Santa Clara, Calif.
Witter will assist head coach Christine Carver, with whom she coached under at the Pan Am Games. Witter’s previous U.S. National Team coaching stints were from 1978-83, 1992-95 and from 2001-present.
“I am only able to do this because of the support from (Ohio State assistant coach) Holly Vargo-Brown and (Ohio State volunteer assistant) Annmarie Lichter,” Witter said. “Additionally, (Ohio State Athletics Director) Andy Geiger and (Ohio State Associate Athletics Director) Miechelle Willis have been so wonderful They have given me the opportunity to be at the best school in the country and took a chance on me. I appreciate it so much.”
The 2004 Olympic Summer Games will be held Aug. 13-29, 2004. Events for synchronized swimming are slated for Aug. 23-27.
