CLEVELAND, Miss. – Delta State University Director of Athletics Mike Kinnison has announced the hire of Pace Clark to lead the swimming and diving program.
 
Clark, a native of Memphis, Tenn. brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, both as an athlete and a coach.
 
From 2019-2023, Pace served as the assistant coach for the Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club. Prior to that stint, Clark competed professionally for the U.S. National Team, where he was a two-time Olympic trials qualifier in 2012 and 2016. As a professional swimmer, Clark was a short course World Championship gold medalist in 2016 in the 800 freestyle relay, named to the World Championship team roster in 2017, a USA National Championship silver medalist in 2017, and placed ninth in the world in 2017 in the 200 butterfly event.
 
"I feel Pace will embrace the ideals we have for our swim and dive programs at Delta State. He has experienced success in a nationally competitive environment, and we are delighted to have him add those values to our student athletes. Our swim program has a long-standing history of academic and athletic achievement, and I feel Pace will continue that culture and competitive spirit," said Kinnison.
 
Most notably, Clark was an outstanding swimmer at the SEC powerhouse University of Georgia. As a student-athlete for the Bulldogs from 2013 to 2017, Clark was a 12-time NCAA All-American. As a senior, he earned First Team All-SEC honors and was the SEC Champion in the 200 butterfly. Named to the 2013-14 All-SEC Freshman Team, Clark also received All-SEC honors from 2015-17.
 
Clark broke both the 100 and the 200 fly school records at the 2016 NCAAs, where he placed eighth (45.66) and fourth (1:40.17), respectively.
 
Clark is eager to get started with the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen. "It's a privilege to join the Delta State family as the new head swim coach. I chose Delta State because of the strong sense of community, the university's dedication to developing student-athletes, and the potential for growth within the swim program. I look forward to building on the team's legacy and guiding our athletes to success in and out of the pool."
 
Clark graduated with a Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Georgia, Terry School of Business in 2018. Academically, Clark received SEC Academic All-American and Academic Honor Roll honors.
 
 
Collegiate Personal Bests
100 Butterfly: 45.66 (2016 NCAA Championship)
200 Butterfly: 1:40.17 (2016 NCAA Championship)
100 Backstroke: 47.31 (2015 UGA Fall Invitational)
200 Backstroke: 1:42.84 (2016 SEC Championship)
 
 
Year-by-Year at Georgia
2016-2017

• SEC Champion in 200 Fly (1:40.87)
• Team-best time in 100 Fly (45.68)
• Top 3 performer on the team in 200 Fly (1:40.41)

2015-2016

• Placed sixth at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 200 butterfly
• Placed on the All-SEC Second Team
• Came in second in the 200 butterfly and  fourth in the 100 butterfly at the SECs
• Swam on the 800 freestyle relay that placed third and the 200 freestyle and the 200 and 400 medley relays that finished sixth at the SECs
• Named to the U.S. National Team

2014-2015

• Came in 14th in the 200 butterfly at the NCAAs
• Came in fifth in the 200 butterfly, 13th in the 200 backstroke and 17th in the 100 butterfly at the SECs as the Bulldogs finished second

2013-2014

• Named to All-SEC Freshman Team
• Placed ninth in the 200 butterfly and 20th in the 100 butterfly at the SECs