Aug. 13, 2003
ATLANTA – Head swimming and diving coach Seth Baron announced the addition of Maria Thrash to the Tech program this afternoon. Thrash comes to Georgia Tech from Swim Atlanta where she was Head Senior Coach. She will work with the sprinters, handle conditioning, help with recruiting and will be the Director of Tech’s swimming camps.
“We are excited about the addition of Maria to our staff,” said Baron. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will allow us to continue the progress of our team.”
“Maria has been in the Atlanta area for over 14 years and is well-respected among her coaching peers. Maria and our current assistant Stu Wilson worked together for over six years. She is a great fit for our program.”
Thrash has over 35 years of experience, coaching and competing, in the sport of swimming and diving. She was Head Age Group Coach from 1988-2002, garnering Georgia Coach of the Year honors in 1997 and 1998. She was the Head Senior Coach for Swim Atlanta for 2002-03 where she was responsible for 240 athletes at the Roswell pool. Before Swim Atlanta, Thrash was an assistant for the Dynamo Swim Club from 1985-88.
As an athlete, Thrash competed on the Clemson University swim team from 1979-83. She was named co-captain from 1981-83. Thrash received her Bachelor’s of Science degree with a major in administrative management in 1984.
Thrash becomes the fifth family member to become a Yellow Jacket. Her great grandfather, Jesse Thrash, played football at Tech in 1903. He became the first Jacket football player to earn all-conference honors and was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 1962.
Thrash’s grandfather, Kenneth Thrash Sr., played football for the Yellow Jackets from 1926-28. He then became the swimming coach from 1932-35, winning four Southern Conference championships in four seasons and guiding the Jackets to a 24-1 dual meet record. Thrash’s father, Kenneth Jr., played football at Tech from 1955-56. Gay Thrash, Maria’s great uncle, played football at Georgia Tech in 1938.
