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Head coach Elliot Ptasnik of the University of Hawaii swimming and diving program announced the addition of Nick Folker to the coaching staff on Wednesday.
Folker is one of the most decorated student-athletes in UH program history. From 1998 to 2001, he achieved All-American status 12 times in the 50 and 100 freestyle events as well as on relay teams. From 1997 to 2004, he was a part of numerous South African national teams, and was an Olympian for South Africa in the 2000 Summer Games.
Folker then served as the director of aquatic performance at the University of California from 2004 to 2013. Under his guidance, Cal won national championships in women’s swimming (three), men’s swimming (two), and water polo (two). In his nine years, Folker coached and trained 35 Olympic athletes and 22 medal winners.
Since 2013, he has served as the co-founder of BridgeAthletic Inc. and as the chief performance officer. He also worked as the vice president of innovation at Physmodo Inc.