Godlewski, Odenthal named replacements

Alumnus Alex Totura had a successful 4-year career for the men's swimming team, earning 13 All-American awards and helping Truman place in the top 15 for four straight years.

While Totura helped the Bulldogs in the pool from 2004 to 2008, he continues to help the 'Dogs three years later. Head swimming coach Mark Gole resigned Dec. 15 to take the head swimming coaching job at William Jewell University.    

Truman hired Jennifer Godlewski to replace Gole on an interim basis less than a month after his resignation.

"I actually heard about [head coaching position] through an alumnus at Truman, Alex Totura," Godlewski said. "We went through Illinois State University's graduate program together. We were standing in line during graduation and I heard him talking to someone else about Truman State swimming. I told him that I was interested and he sent me [athletic director] Jerry [Wollmering's] name and number and I contacted him."

Godlewski was named the interim coach Jan. 6 and will serve until April 30 with a $13000 contract. Godlewski had previously been the graduate assistant swimming coach for Div. I Illinois State University.

She will replace Gole who resigned halfway through his sixth season at Truman.

Godlewski is a former swimmer at Illinois State University and started coaching swimming in 2006. She joined Illinois State's program in 2009 after coaching at the high school level.

"It's always been my dream to be a head collegiate coach, especially at Div. II," Godlewski said. "I think that's where I feel the most comfortable. Alex raved about Truman State and the academics and the swim program. Just to have the opportunity to even interview was a dream come true."

Godlewski said the biggest challenge for her is to continue coaching in a way the team is accustomed to. Godlewski said she doesn't want to have to force either team to deal with a new coaching style halfway through the season. She said that so far she has been able to adapt.

Another challenge for Godlewski is learning the men's and women's rosters in a short time period. She said this is where interim assistant coach Danielle Odenthal, who signed a $5000 contract, has been extremely important.

"She's been an absolute godsend," Godlewski said. "She's been helping me fully comprehend who does what strokes, whether someone is a race swimmer or practice swimmer and setting the different intervals for the different groups. She's showing me the ropes and I think I could have got it done, but I wouldn't have been as effective without her."

Odenthal replaced assistant swimming coach Tim Sandfort who resigned from his position just days before Gole. Sandfort took a job with Dell Computers in Texas.

Odenthal volunteered with the both Truman swimming teams last semester, mainly helping when practices were busy.

"It was kind of a win-win for both people, as she was already here in the community," Athletic Director Jerry Wollmering said. "She's very beneficial for Jennifer [Godlewski] because she knows the team and knows the kids. She worked with Mark [Gole] and Tim [Sandfort] and we were very fortunate to have her involved."

While Odenthal said she was surprised at Gole and Sandfort's departure, she also was excited about the opportunity to be more involved. Odenthal said the assistant coach position includes several responsibilities she did not have as a volunteer.

"It's really different," Odenthal said. "It's been a transition from being in the water, having people yell at me to being on the deck yelling at other people. I know most of these swimmers on a personal level. We've been teammates and I've lived with some of them so it's been an adjustment. However, it's good so far."

With only three regular season swimming meets left on the schedule, Godlewski and Odenthal said the team still has a lot to work on. Both coaches agreed the goal was to finish the season with as many personal bests and national cuts as possible.

The Bulldogs usually take a training trip during break but because of the coaching transition, the team couldn't attend. Odenthal said this hasn't stopped either team from pushing itself as hard as possible.

"This group is really impressive to me in the fact that they have stayed positive throughout the entire situation," Odenthal said. "This is just their fourth day in the water and they're already swimming with as much intensity as they were when they left. That tells me they are motivated and focused."