Women's Swimming & Diving
- Title:
- Diving Coach
- Email:
- achelmich@liberty.edu
Andrew Helmich, a former SEC diver with SEC coaching experience, was hired as Liberty’s head diving coach during July 2020. He leads all facets of the Liberty diving program.
During the 2022-23 season, the Lady Flames’ divers continued to make an impact. A total of four Lady Flames qualified for NCAA Zone Diving Championships, with three (Mary Herndon, Grace Gooding, Meagan Tuohy) making their first career appearance at Zones. Maddie Freece earned her fifth career CCSA podium finish, placing third on one-meter, while freshman Mary Herndon burst onto the scene with a 309.75 score against VMI.
In 2022, Helmich guided Liberty’s divers to a fantastic season, highlighted by Maddie Freece’s second straight year earning CCSA Women’s Diver of the Year and Mos Outstanding Diver at the CCSA Meet. Freece also became the first Liberty athlete to be named to the VaSID All-State University Division Women’s swimming & diving first team. Lauren Chennault wrapped up her career as just the second CCSA diver in conference history to earn eight CCSA diving medals in her career. Freece and Chennault both earned podium finishes on both boards at the CCSA Championships. Freece went on to post a 17th-place finish on three-meter at NCAA Zone Championships.
During his first season at Liberty, he helped the Lady Flames’ divers make an impact at both the conference and regional level. Freshman Maddie Freece won both one-meter and three-meter diving at the CCSA Championships, being named both CCSA Women’s Diver of the Year and Most Outstanding Diver at the CCSA Meet. Freece, the 2021 VaSID State Rookie Diver of the Year, set a new program record in one-meter diving. Additionally, Freece earned finals appearance in both one-meter and three-meter at NCAA Zone Championships. Junior Lauren Chennault earned two podium finishes at the CCSA Championships and made the one-meter final at Zones.
Helmich spent three seasons (2016-19) as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, South Carolina. The Gamecocks’ divers thrived under Helmich’s instruction, as he coached three SEC champions and three NCAA Championship finalists. The Gamecocks also sent divers to the FINA Grand Prix semifinals and finals during Helmich’s time as a coach.
Over the same span, he served as head coach for the South Carolina Divers, leading the club to several National Championship appearances. The South Carolina Divers sent one diver to the National Finals, while one athlete earned an invitation to the CAMO Invitational, gaining international experience.
His most recent coaching experience came within the last year, as he was the program manager for the 14 & older division with the Carolina Diving Academy in Huntersville, N.C.
Prior to his return to Columbia, S.C., Helmich served as Marshall’s head diving coach from 2014 through 2016. He coach 12 conference finalists and four Conference USA medalists, including one C-USA champion.
While competing at South Carolina from 2010-14, Helmich appeared in the NCAA Zone Championships as both a junior and senior. A five-time SEC scorer, he was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2012. Helmich, hailing from North Augusta, S.C., graduated from South Carolina in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
