DENTON, Texas-The North Texas swimming and diving team has hired Michele Lowry as assistant swim coach, head coach Joe Dykstra announced. Lowry comes to North Texas from Denver, where she captained the swim team and earned the Sun Belt's Most Outstanding Female Swimmer award as a senior.  

"I am so very excited to have Michele Lowry join our coaching staff," said Dykstra. "She is a dynamic young coach that will bring a great deal of positive energy and leadership to our program.  Having been an NCAA Qualifier and the Sun Belt Swimmer of the Year means that she knows exactly what it takes to reach those heights, and I am thrilled for her to share that knowledge with our team."

A native of Hailey, Idaho, Lowry graduated from the University of Denver in 2009 with a BBA in management. While at Denver, the four-time letterman qualified for the NCAA Championships as a senior in the 400 IM, while earning team MVP and Sun Belt Conference Most Outstanding Female Swimmer honors. As a senior, Lowry qualified for the NCAA Championship in the 400 Individual Medley, 200 Backstroke and the 1650 Freestyle, for which she set the school record with a time of 16:27.74.

"As a former Sun Belt swimmer, I am very familiar with the growing success of this program and the great things that Coach Dykstra has done for the team," said Lowry. "I am looking forward to sharing my passion for the sport with all the girls and I hope to make an impact not only on the team but also in Mean Green athletics."

Lowry will take over as an assistant for Maya Nikolova, who will pursue other professional opportunities after six years at North Texas. Lowry will begin work with the swimming team in August and will pursue a master's degree in higher education.