Sept. 17, 2002

LAS VEGAS - Mike Westphal has been named as an assistant coach with the UNLV swimming and diving team as announced by UNLV head coach Jim Reitz. Westphal will serve as the women's recruiting coordinator and coach breast and IM for both the men's and women's programs. He joins the Rebel staff after a three-year stint as the top assistant at the University of Pacific.

"We are very fortunate to have Mike on our staff," said Reitz. "He has helped in the maturation of several national caliber athletes, making him one of the top young coaches in our field."

Westphal joined the Pacific coaching staff from Evergreen Swim Club in Olympia Wash. where he was the head coach. At Evergreen, his responsibilities included instruction and supervision of staff and various age groups in stroke methods and the rules of competitive swimming. He also had experience developing work routines to enhance the skills of individual swimmers. He served as Head Age Group Coach at Evergreen Swimm Camp from 1996-97 and was the head coach from 1997-2000. Westphal was also the head swim coach for boys and girls and Capital High School in Olympia, Wash.

As a competitor, Westphal was a NAIA Academic All-American at Linfield College. In 1994 and 1996 he was the captain of his swim team, which won the NAIA National Championship. Westphal was also the NAIA Individual National Champion in the 400 IM in 1995, and received All-American honors all four years at Linfield.