BELGRADE, Serbia – Harvard men’s swimming & diving head coach Tim Murphy recently served as an assistant coach of Team USA at the 2009 World University Games, and helped the U.S. squad win 26 medals during the weeklong event.

The U.S. captured 10 gold medals, 12 silver and four bronze en route to a first-place finish in the swimming standings. The U.S. swimmers finished first in the men’s 50 breaststroke, 800 freestyle, 200 individual medley, and 4x100 freestyle relay, as well as the women’s 800 free, 200 IM, 400 IM, the 4x100 free relay, 4x200 free relay and 4x100 medley relay.

Overall, Team USA finished fifth for all sports, picking up 39 medals.

“This was a tremendous experience to represent my country, and I was honored to coach such tremendous athletes,” Murphy said. “The volunteers in Serbia did a tremendous job organizing the tournament and were tremendous hosts.”

In his first 11 seasons at the helm of the Crimson, Murphy, who was also an assistant with the U.S. squad at the 2001 World University Games in Beijing, has guided Harvard to a staggering 91-7 overall record. During his tenure, he has led the program to six Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming League (EISL) and Ivy League championships.

Photo courtesy of DSPics.com.