Completed Event: Swimming & Diving versus Richmond on January 25, 2025 , Win , 174, to, 124
S-D
Final
James Madison
174
vs Richmond
124
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Swimming & Diving
Pedersen, Dane
Dane Pedersen
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- pedersdc@jmu.edu
- Phone:
- 540-568-4617
- Physical Address:
- Godwin 124D (261 Bluestone Dr.) / MSC 2301
Dane Pedersen wrapped up his 10th season at the helm of the James Madison swimming and diving program, leading the team to a Sun Belt Conference title in the first year as a member of the league.
Over the course of his head coaching career at JMU, Pedersen has compiled a 60-19-1 overall record while boasting an incredible 28-1 record in conference action.
At the conclusion of the 2022-23 season on June 15, Pedersen earned a extension to remain the head coach of the program through the 2026-27 season.
"The JMU swimming & diving program has been a model of consistent excellence and Dane Pedersen is a huge reason why," Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. "They have consistently competed for championships, even while navigating their third different title meet in three years. Dane has maintained a team focus in a sport of individual event competition and has built a cohesive culture within the program. We're excited about the future of swimming & diving at JMU under Dane's leadership."
Competing for the first time as a member of the Sun Belt, 2023-24 was a banner year for the Dukes as Pedersen led the program to its sixth title in seven seasons. JMU became the first team ever to eclipse 1,000 points at a Sun Belt Championship, hoisting the trophy after scoring 1,091 points throughout the four day event. Madison Cottrell and Alexa Holloway respectively earned top swimming scorer of the meet and top diving scorer of the meet. The Dukes set seven Sun Belt championship record scores and times, as 14 Dukes earned All-Sun Belt distinction. Cottrell set school records in the 100 Fly and 100 Back, while also being a part of four record setting relay teams (200 and 400 Free Relays; 200 and 400 Medley Relays). In addition, Cottrell's record setting times in the 100 Fly and 100 Back were NCAA "B" cut times, which joined Riley Bridgman (100 Breast) and Jess Pryne (200 IM and 400 IM) for Dukes to record "B" cut times at the championship. Alexa Holloway set the school's championship record on the 1-meter board with a score of 332.10.
The Dukes swept the major Sun Belt awards, as Pedersen was named the Coach of the Year. Cottrell and Holloway were respectively named Swimming Performer of the Year and Diving Performer of the Year, while Rachael Brown was named Co-Newcomer of the Year and Riley Bridgman was tabbed the Co-Freshman of the Year.
The 2022-23 season saw the program become a member of the CCSA, where the team earned a runner up finish over the four-day championships. The team recorded 25 program top 10 times at the championships and saw 11 swimmers and divers earn All-CCSA recognition. In addition, Jamie Cornwell, Madison Cottrell, Jess Pryne and Maddie Yager all were named Second Team All-State. Cottrell reset the program record in the 100 Fly, while the 200 and 400 Free Relay records fell as well. Cornwell, Cottrell and Pryne all recorded NCAA B-cut times during the season at CCSAs.
Despite being barred from winning the conference title during the 2021-22 season due to a league bylaw, the Dukes won their fifth consecutive team title as they won the ECAC Championships. Pedersen was named the Coach of the Meet, and under his guidance Jess Pryne was recognized as Swimmer of the Meet. Pryne also set program records in the 200 IM and 400 IM, while Cottrell set the 100 Fly record. The team went finished with a 4-3 record in meets and a 4-1 record in conference meets/
During the 2020-21 season, the Dukes collected their fourth consecutive CAA Championship for the first time in the program’s history, 11th title overall, under Pedersen’s leadership. He helped Madison Cottrell become the first member of swim & dive to be named CAA Rookie of the Year and Women’s Swimmer of the Year, while also helping 13 other student-athletes earn All-CAA honors.
Pedersen was named Co-Coach of the Year after the team finished with a record of 4-0 and 1-0 in CAA meets. He helped the squad to remain undefeated in the regular season in Savage Natatorium going 2-0.
In the 2019-20 season, JMU went 6-0 in the CAA and won its third consecutive championship and tenth overall. Under Pedersen’s leadership, Bonnie Zhang and Julianna Jones qualified for the NCAA Championships becoming the sixth and seven student-athletes in program history to qualify. Zhang is the second student-athlete to qualify for multiple NCAA Championships.
During the 2019-2020 regular season, Pedersen led the Dukes to an 8-2 overall season, winning three home meets and all conference meets. He led 16 student-athletes to All-CAA honors.
During the 2017-18 regular season, Pedersen led the Dukes to an 8-2 overall season, winning both home meets and all four conference meets. Following the 2018 CAA Championships, Pedersen was named the CAA Swimming Coach of the Year – the first back-to-back award winner since 2015.
Over the 2016-17 season, Pedersen led the Dukes to an 8-1 record in dual meets with an unblemished 3-0 conference record. At the 2017 CAA Championships, JMU earned 17 podium finishes, including four championship-winning finishes. Under his tenure, JMU also led the Dukes to four new Savage Natatorium pool records.
Under his leadership, the Dukes went undefeated in dual meet competitions with a 7-0 record in 2016-15. At the 2016 CAA Championships he coached the Dukes to 14 podium finishes, nine NCAA B Cut times and six new school records.
Pedersen was promoted from interim head coach to head coach on April 23, 2015.
"I am pleased to appoint Dane Pedersen to a multi-year contract as head coach over our women's swimming and diving program,” Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. “He shares our commitment to student-athlete well-being and maximizing their development academically and athletically. Most of all, he is fully supportive of their social development and ability to serve as leaders in their chosen profession after graduating from Madison.”
Before serving as interim head coach in 2014-15, Pedersen worked with the Dukes as an assistant coach for seven seasons, serving as an integral part in building JMU’s program into the perennial contender that it is today.
“I am excited and honored to be able to lead the JMU swimming and diving program in the upcoming years,” Pedersen said. “JMU is such a special place, and I feel very blessed to be a part of this program. I want to thank Mr. Bourne and Mrs. Phillips for the opportunity and for their support in my role as head coach. I also would like to thank my family for the endless and unconditional love they provide.”
In the 2014-15 season, the Dukes notched their third-straight runner-up finish at CAA Championships after racking up an 8-3 dual meet record during the regular season and beating seven consecutive opponents after the opening meet of the year.
At the CAA Championships this year, JMU took home nine individual All-CAA honors and had four of its five relay teams earn medals. The Dukes capped the championships with a meet-record time in the 400 freestyle relay, en route to the gold medal. JMU added in a trio of NCAA B-cut times on the weekend, as junior Camilla Czulada earned one in the 100 freestyle and senior Sin Hye Won met the criteria in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
Pedersen was integral in helping JMU win the program's sixth Colonial Athletic Association Championship in 2012. The Dukes dominated the nine-team event, finishing with 771 points, 146 more than their nearest competitor. Madison swimmers set 15 school records, including two CAA marks, and won eight total events in the four-day meet.
In his first season in the purple and gold, Pedersen helped the Dukes turnaround from one win the previous season to an 8-4 record in dual meets and a seventh-place finish in the CAA meet. JMU broke nine school records, including eight in swimming events.
The 2008-09 campaign saw more success with another 8-4 mark and a fifth-place showing in the CAA championship meet. Fourteen school records fell, including 12 in the pool and all five relay races.
JMU continued its climb in Pedersen's third season. The Dukes achieved a third-place finish in the CAA meet and went 7-2 in dual meets. Eight school records fell and JMU claimed nine All-CAA honors at the league meet. JMU also posted a pair of NCAA B qualifying marks at the CAA meet. One came in the 200 medley relay, the first relay NCAA cut in program history. The other came from freshman Andrea Criscuolo, who was also named the CAA Rookie Swimmer of the Year and a Mid-Major All-American.
Pedersen assisted JMU in reaching new heights in 2010-11 as they went 10-4 in dual meets and finished second at the CAA Championships. JMU broke nine individual school swimming records during the year and also set new marks in four of the five relays. Four Dukes were named Mid-Major All-America honorable mentions and junior Eva Hannesdottir was the CAA champion in the 100-yard freestyle.
Academically, the Dukes have received NCAA APR recognition for performing in the top 10% of all Division I programs during each of Pedersen's two seasons in Harrisonburg.
Pedersen competed four years for the University of Missouri of the Big XII Conference from 1999 to 2003. In his first two seasons, he set school records in the 1,000- and 1,650-meter freestyles. His marks currently rank third all-time in both events. Pedersen was named Big XII All-Conference in three of his four seasons and was a four-year member of the All-Academic squad.
After his collegiate career, Pedersen remained in Columbia as a graduate assistant for the Tigers swimming program from 2004 to 2007. Both the men’s and women’s programs were ranked in the top 25 during his tenure. In his first season, three school records fell. By his third season in 2006-07, 26 school records were broken. In addition, three athletes reached the NCAA cuts in year one, whereas 19 made the cut in his third season. Pedersen worked primarily with the distance and middle-distance swimmers while also assisting in all areas of recruiting.
Originally from Brandon, Mississippi, Pedersen graduated from the University of Missouri in 2004 with bachelor’s degrees in English and communications. He went on to receive his masters from UM in English education in 2007.
Over the course of his head coaching career at JMU, Pedersen has compiled a 60-19-1 overall record while boasting an incredible 28-1 record in conference action.
At the conclusion of the 2022-23 season on June 15, Pedersen earned a extension to remain the head coach of the program through the 2026-27 season.
"The JMU swimming & diving program has been a model of consistent excellence and Dane Pedersen is a huge reason why," Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. "They have consistently competed for championships, even while navigating their third different title meet in three years. Dane has maintained a team focus in a sport of individual event competition and has built a cohesive culture within the program. We're excited about the future of swimming & diving at JMU under Dane's leadership."
Competing for the first time as a member of the Sun Belt, 2023-24 was a banner year for the Dukes as Pedersen led the program to its sixth title in seven seasons. JMU became the first team ever to eclipse 1,000 points at a Sun Belt Championship, hoisting the trophy after scoring 1,091 points throughout the four day event. Madison Cottrell and Alexa Holloway respectively earned top swimming scorer of the meet and top diving scorer of the meet. The Dukes set seven Sun Belt championship record scores and times, as 14 Dukes earned All-Sun Belt distinction. Cottrell set school records in the 100 Fly and 100 Back, while also being a part of four record setting relay teams (200 and 400 Free Relays; 200 and 400 Medley Relays). In addition, Cottrell's record setting times in the 100 Fly and 100 Back were NCAA "B" cut times, which joined Riley Bridgman (100 Breast) and Jess Pryne (200 IM and 400 IM) for Dukes to record "B" cut times at the championship. Alexa Holloway set the school's championship record on the 1-meter board with a score of 332.10.
The Dukes swept the major Sun Belt awards, as Pedersen was named the Coach of the Year. Cottrell and Holloway were respectively named Swimming Performer of the Year and Diving Performer of the Year, while Rachael Brown was named Co-Newcomer of the Year and Riley Bridgman was tabbed the Co-Freshman of the Year.
The 2022-23 season saw the program become a member of the CCSA, where the team earned a runner up finish over the four-day championships. The team recorded 25 program top 10 times at the championships and saw 11 swimmers and divers earn All-CCSA recognition. In addition, Jamie Cornwell, Madison Cottrell, Jess Pryne and Maddie Yager all were named Second Team All-State. Cottrell reset the program record in the 100 Fly, while the 200 and 400 Free Relay records fell as well. Cornwell, Cottrell and Pryne all recorded NCAA B-cut times during the season at CCSAs.
Despite being barred from winning the conference title during the 2021-22 season due to a league bylaw, the Dukes won their fifth consecutive team title as they won the ECAC Championships. Pedersen was named the Coach of the Meet, and under his guidance Jess Pryne was recognized as Swimmer of the Meet. Pryne also set program records in the 200 IM and 400 IM, while Cottrell set the 100 Fly record. The team went finished with a 4-3 record in meets and a 4-1 record in conference meets/
During the 2020-21 season, the Dukes collected their fourth consecutive CAA Championship for the first time in the program’s history, 11th title overall, under Pedersen’s leadership. He helped Madison Cottrell become the first member of swim & dive to be named CAA Rookie of the Year and Women’s Swimmer of the Year, while also helping 13 other student-athletes earn All-CAA honors.
Pedersen was named Co-Coach of the Year after the team finished with a record of 4-0 and 1-0 in CAA meets. He helped the squad to remain undefeated in the regular season in Savage Natatorium going 2-0.
In the 2019-20 season, JMU went 6-0 in the CAA and won its third consecutive championship and tenth overall. Under Pedersen’s leadership, Bonnie Zhang and Julianna Jones qualified for the NCAA Championships becoming the sixth and seven student-athletes in program history to qualify. Zhang is the second student-athlete to qualify for multiple NCAA Championships.
During the 2019-2020 regular season, Pedersen led the Dukes to an 8-2 overall season, winning three home meets and all conference meets. He led 16 student-athletes to All-CAA honors.
During the 2017-18 regular season, Pedersen led the Dukes to an 8-2 overall season, winning both home meets and all four conference meets. Following the 2018 CAA Championships, Pedersen was named the CAA Swimming Coach of the Year – the first back-to-back award winner since 2015.
Over the 2016-17 season, Pedersen led the Dukes to an 8-1 record in dual meets with an unblemished 3-0 conference record. At the 2017 CAA Championships, JMU earned 17 podium finishes, including four championship-winning finishes. Under his tenure, JMU also led the Dukes to four new Savage Natatorium pool records.
Under his leadership, the Dukes went undefeated in dual meet competitions with a 7-0 record in 2016-15. At the 2016 CAA Championships he coached the Dukes to 14 podium finishes, nine NCAA B Cut times and six new school records.
Pedersen was promoted from interim head coach to head coach on April 23, 2015.
"I am pleased to appoint Dane Pedersen to a multi-year contract as head coach over our women's swimming and diving program,” Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. “He shares our commitment to student-athlete well-being and maximizing their development academically and athletically. Most of all, he is fully supportive of their social development and ability to serve as leaders in their chosen profession after graduating from Madison.”
Before serving as interim head coach in 2014-15, Pedersen worked with the Dukes as an assistant coach for seven seasons, serving as an integral part in building JMU’s program into the perennial contender that it is today.
“I am excited and honored to be able to lead the JMU swimming and diving program in the upcoming years,” Pedersen said. “JMU is such a special place, and I feel very blessed to be a part of this program. I want to thank Mr. Bourne and Mrs. Phillips for the opportunity and for their support in my role as head coach. I also would like to thank my family for the endless and unconditional love they provide.”
In the 2014-15 season, the Dukes notched their third-straight runner-up finish at CAA Championships after racking up an 8-3 dual meet record during the regular season and beating seven consecutive opponents after the opening meet of the year.
At the CAA Championships this year, JMU took home nine individual All-CAA honors and had four of its five relay teams earn medals. The Dukes capped the championships with a meet-record time in the 400 freestyle relay, en route to the gold medal. JMU added in a trio of NCAA B-cut times on the weekend, as junior Camilla Czulada earned one in the 100 freestyle and senior Sin Hye Won met the criteria in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
Pedersen was integral in helping JMU win the program's sixth Colonial Athletic Association Championship in 2012. The Dukes dominated the nine-team event, finishing with 771 points, 146 more than their nearest competitor. Madison swimmers set 15 school records, including two CAA marks, and won eight total events in the four-day meet.
In his first season in the purple and gold, Pedersen helped the Dukes turnaround from one win the previous season to an 8-4 record in dual meets and a seventh-place finish in the CAA meet. JMU broke nine school records, including eight in swimming events.
The 2008-09 campaign saw more success with another 8-4 mark and a fifth-place showing in the CAA championship meet. Fourteen school records fell, including 12 in the pool and all five relay races.
JMU continued its climb in Pedersen's third season. The Dukes achieved a third-place finish in the CAA meet and went 7-2 in dual meets. Eight school records fell and JMU claimed nine All-CAA honors at the league meet. JMU also posted a pair of NCAA B qualifying marks at the CAA meet. One came in the 200 medley relay, the first relay NCAA cut in program history. The other came from freshman Andrea Criscuolo, who was also named the CAA Rookie Swimmer of the Year and a Mid-Major All-American.
Pedersen assisted JMU in reaching new heights in 2010-11 as they went 10-4 in dual meets and finished second at the CAA Championships. JMU broke nine individual school swimming records during the year and also set new marks in four of the five relays. Four Dukes were named Mid-Major All-America honorable mentions and junior Eva Hannesdottir was the CAA champion in the 100-yard freestyle.
Academically, the Dukes have received NCAA APR recognition for performing in the top 10% of all Division I programs during each of Pedersen's two seasons in Harrisonburg.
Pedersen competed four years for the University of Missouri of the Big XII Conference from 1999 to 2003. In his first two seasons, he set school records in the 1,000- and 1,650-meter freestyles. His marks currently rank third all-time in both events. Pedersen was named Big XII All-Conference in three of his four seasons and was a four-year member of the All-Academic squad.
After his collegiate career, Pedersen remained in Columbia as a graduate assistant for the Tigers swimming program from 2004 to 2007. Both the men’s and women’s programs were ranked in the top 25 during his tenure. In his first season, three school records fell. By his third season in 2006-07, 26 school records were broken. In addition, three athletes reached the NCAA cuts in year one, whereas 19 made the cut in his third season. Pedersen worked primarily with the distance and middle-distance swimmers while also assisting in all areas of recruiting.
Originally from Brandon, Mississippi, Pedersen graduated from the University of Missouri in 2004 with bachelor’s degrees in English and communications. He went on to receive his masters from UM in English education in 2007.
| The Dane Pedersen File |
|---|
| Alma Mater | Missouri '04, '07 |
| Coaching Experience |
|---|
| 2004-2007 | Graduate Assistant, Missouri |
| 2007-2012 | Assistant Coach, James Madison |
| 2012-2014 | Associate Head Coach, James Madison |
| 2014-2015 | Interim Head Coach, James Madison |
| 2015-present | Head Coach, James Madison |
| Competing Experience |
|---|
| 1999-2003 | Letterwinner at Missouri Three-time Big XII All-Conference Four-time Big XII All-Academic Set school records in the 1000 and 1650 freestyles |
| Coaching Awards |
|---|
| 2016-2017 | Co-CAA Coach of the Year |
| 2017-2018 | CAA Coach of the Year |
| 2018-2019 | CAA Coach of the Year |
| 2020-2021 | Co-CAA Coach of the Year |
| 2021-2022 | ECAC Coach of the Meet |
| 2023-2024 | Sun Belt Coach of the Year |
| Pedersen Postseason, Team and Player Awards as a Head Coach |
|---|
| CAA Championships | 4 (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) |
| ECAC Championships | 1 (2022) |
| Sun Belt Championships | 1 (2024) |
| CAA Swimmer of the Year | 2 |
| CAA Diver of the Year | 6 |
| CAA Rookie Swimmer of the Year | 2 |
| CAA Rookie Diver of the Year | 2 |
| All-CAA Selections | 88 |
| CCSA Diver of the Year | 1 |
| All-CCSA Selections | 11 |
| Sun Belt Swimming Performer of the Year | 1 |
| Sun Belt Diving Performer of the Year | 1 |
| Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year | 1 |
| Sun Belt Freshman of the Year | 1 |
| All-Sun Belt Selections | 14 |
| All-VaSID Selections | 21 |
| CSCAA All-American Selections | 2 |
| CSCAA Academic All-American Selections | 30 |
| CoSIDA Academic All-American Selections | 2 |
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