WINGATE, N.C. — Wingate University athletic director Joe Reich announced the promotion of Yorktown native Kevin Hennessy to head men’s and women’s swimming coach and director of aquatics.
Hennessy, a 2010 Wingate graduate, spent the 2022-23 season as the associate head coach for men’s and women’s swimming. Hennessy was a four-year letter winner in swimming at York High School and the MVP of the swimming team in his senior year. Hennessy earned All-District honors in his junior and senior seasons.
Prior to his promotion, Hennessy spent seven seasons as a WUSWIM assistant coach. This fall, he marks 18 years with the Bulldogs as a student-athlete, alumnus and coach. Hennessy replaces veteran head coach Kirk Sanocki, who stepped away from his post earlier this month.
“When I arrived on Wingate’s campus in the fall of 2006 as a freshman swimmer, I never thought I would have the opportunity to be the head coach in the future. It is an honor to be in this position and hard to say exactly how excited, grateful and blessed I feel,” Hennessy said.
Among notable accomplishments, Hennessy helped win three Bluegrass Mountain Conference Championships as a student-athlete, was named a CSCAA Scholar All-American, coached Kate Agger (Class of 2022) to a 500 freestyle national championship in 2022, coached the Coast Guard Blue Dolphins Swim Team in Virginia for six years, and helped Wingate sweep the inaugural South Atlantic Conference swimming titles in 2023
“Kevin has had major success, most recently with Miguel Marcos on the men’s side and Kate Agger on the women’s side, two of the top swimmers in our team’s history. Kate garnered our first women’s distance national championship in 2022. Kevin has now surrounded himself with coaches who will help complement his skill set. I’m excited for his tenure to begin, leading the teams to even greater heights. I’m proud to call him friend and will be rooting hard from the sidelines,” outgoing head coach Kirk Sanocki said.
Wingate University swimming holds 45 NCAA national championship swims, the women’s team have earned second place in 2016 and third twice at the national championships, boasts 36 Academic All-American honors, and 11 Bluegrass Mountain Conference titles.
“Being a WUSWIM alumnus, this program holds a special place with me. I look forward to leading WU Swim into the future and continuing the tradition of excellence that Coach Sanocki established. I can’t wait for the season to get started with the team and our great group of coaches,” Hennessy said.
