Women's Swimming & Diving
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
Sam Wensman wrapped up his sixth season as assistant coach for the University of Michigan men's and women's swimming and diving programs. Prior to 2016-17, Wensman spent three years (2014-16) as the volunteer assistant coach and two years (2012-13) as a program assistant. He also coached professional swimmers with Club Wolverine Elite leading into the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, specifically helping Junya Koga to a position on the Japanese Olympic Team in 2016. Wensman is also the director of recruiting for both the men's and women's swim team. Â
During the 2021-22 season, Wensman coached Big Ten Champions Gal Groumi and Jared Daigle in the 200 IM and 400 IM respectively. Wensman also worked closely with breastroker Will Chan. Chan finished fourth in the 100 breast and eighth in the 50 free. At the NCAA Championships, he helped coach freshman Gal Groumi (doesn't need to be bolded) to a tenth-place finish in the 100 fly where he tied the school record. Groumi Also finished 11th in the 200 IM which broke the school record. On the women's side, Wensman helped coach Victoria Kwan and Olivia Carter to a seventh and eighth place finish in the 200 IM at the Big Ten Championships. In the 400 IM Kathryn Ackerman and Victoria Kwan finished fourth and fifth and Claire Donan finished 14th. In the 100 breast he helped coach Letitia Sim to a third-place finish and in the 200 breast to a sixth-place finish.Â
Wensman has worked closely with the breaststroke and medley group, helping many members reach tremendous heights. In 2020, Tommy Cope won the Big Ten title and set a school record in the 200-yard breaststroke, Jeremy Babinet ascended to third in school history in the 100- and 200-yard breaststrokes, and Charlie Swanson to second all time in the 200 breaststroke. At the end of the 2020-21 season, 9 of the top 10 best times in Michigan men's swimming history in the 200 breaststroke, and 8 of the top ten times in the 100 breaststroke were coached by Wensman. Â
Wensman also has international coaching experience. In 2016 he coached Junya Koga at Japanese Olympic Trials to a roster spot on Japan's Olympic team in the 4x100 freestyle relay. In July 2017, he coached Felix Auböck at the FINA World Championships in Budapest, guiding the Austrian to finals berths in the 400- and 800-meter freestyles.Â
Wensman, a native of Durham, N.H., was a four-year letterwinner for the Wolverines, swimming from 2008-11 and specializing in the breaststroke. During his tenure, Wensman helped Michigan win three Big Ten titles (2008-09, 2011) and finish among the top 10 at the NCAA Championships all four years.
Wensman graduated from Michigan in 2011 with a degree in sport management.
