Alexa Kutch, a multiple medalist and record setter in swimming while at Drexel University and Easton Area High School, is the new head coach for Freedom’s swim team after assisting former Patriots’ coach Alisha Roscioli last season.

“Having one year of experience with the swim team and knowing our head coach was resigning, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to apply for the position,” Kutch said. “I had good knowledge of the program and the swimmers, and I had the confidence with my prior coaching experience in both a club and high school setting to be successful in the position.”

Kutch is also an English teacher at Freedom.

Assisting Coach Kutch will be Liberty High School and Susquehanna University alumna and swimmer Erin Wetmore.

“It’s a full-circle moment because we swam together on the same club team, competed against one another in high school, and we first met on the Freedom pool deck eight years ago,” Kutch said. “We have been good friends ever since.”

Freedom will have its own diving coach this year, Easton Area High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania alumnus and diver Mark Parry. Freedom and Liberty had been sharing diving coach Emily Kocis for the past few years.

“[Mark] dove in high school and has extensive knowledge of the sport, as well as how to coach it,” said Kutch. “We were teammates on the Easton High School swim team and Easton Aquatic Club.”

In high school, Kutch was primarily a backstroker and also swam butterfly, setting pool, school, and district records. She was also a two-time PIAA state medalist in the backstroke.

In college, Kutch set school, pool, and conference records in the 100 and 200 backstroke, as well as qualified for the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, U.S. Nationals, and U.S. Team Olympic Trials.

Kutch also made history by becoming the first Colonial Athletic Conference woman to sweep the backstroke events all four years of eligibility.

Kutch’s main goal at Freedom is to build the swimming program there.

“My short term goals for my current swimmers are using the last few years to reflect on where we were as a team and where we want to be,” she said. “Athletically, my goal for them is to develop the proper technique and confidence to be able to achieve their own swimming goals. Most importantly, I want them to have fun and enjoy the sport while also guaranteeing them some life lessons on the way.”