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In the
Summer of 2007, AquaHawgs was founded as a summer training program
for University of Arkansas swimmers. University of Arkansas Head
Swimming Coach Jeff Poppell started the program so that his
Arkansas swimmers could train year-round without having to leave
campus in the summer. Prior to his arrival at the University of
Arkansas, Jeff Poppell led one of America’s dominant USA
Swimming programs for 13 years, the Bolles Sharks, which is a force
among United States Swimming clubs having developed some of the
United States’ and World’s top ranked 18 & Under
swimmers. Poppell established training relationships with several
international swimming federations which resulted in The Bolles
School serving as an international training facility for Olympic
athletes of several nations. Poppell led the Bolles Sharks to a
pair of national championship titles, and a fifth place overall
combined finish at the 2006 USA Swimming Spring National
Championships. In addition, he was named one of USA
Swimming’s National Team coaches in 2005 after two of his
swimmers finished in the Top 10 at the 2004 U.S. Olympic
Trials.
In the last five years, Poppell has coached four swimmers ranked
top 25 in the world and 17 former or current members of his Bolles
Sharks program were in the pool at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. A
dozen swimmers under Poppell’s guidance competed, finaled or
medaled at major international events including the FINA World
Championships, European Championships, Pan American games and
Commonwealth games. In addition, he coached athletes to 25 U.S. or
International records.
AquaHawgs will serve the needs of area swimmers from
developmental instruction, to age-group competition, to national
and international experience. AquaHawgs offers unparalleled
opportunities for Northwest Arkansas swimmers of all ages and
training levels. We look forward to exciting developments at the
age-group, national, and Olympic levels.
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