The 2024-25 season is Coach Gore's fifth season as Head Coach at Franciscan.
The Barons held an 8-3 record over the 2023-24 season, and placed fourth at the PAC Championships in what was one of their best seasons in program history. It would a total team effort with one of their deeper teams in recent history. They did not have a player earn all-conference honors, but they were able to break several program records.
In the 2022-23 season, Gore broke the program record with eight regular season victories. She then was instrumental in leading freshman Katarina Antonov to one of the best freshman seasons in program history. She took home gold in the 1650 freestyle at the PAC Championships, as well as silver in the 500 freestyle. Antonov would go on to be named PAC Newcomer of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
In her first two seasons at the helm, the Barons have had a pair of swimmers earn All-PAC honors. In the 2021-22 season, junior Olivia Mete earned All-PAC Honorable Mention. In the 2020-21 season, Colleen Farabaugh was named Second Team All-PAC.Â
Former Salisbury graduate assistant and Clarion standout Kaitlin Gore has been named Franciscan women's swimming & diving head coach on June 9, 2020. She became the Barons' seventh head coach since the program's inception in 2011-12.
"We are excited to welcome Kaitlin to the Franciscan University family and Baron Athletics," said Franciscan Director of AthleticsÂ
Scott Greve. " Through the interview process, it was evident Kaitlin has the technical background to lead our swimming and diving team. She will be new to the Franciscan experience. Her perspective will add to our program's depth and bring direction that will to take our program to new heights. I'm confident Kaitlin will experience growth both professionally and spiritually from her team. Our students have a way of challenging us to become the disciple the Lord has called us to be and Kaitlin will experience that grace with these phenomenal athletes."
Gore takes the reins of the program after nearly two years as a graduate assistant with the Seagulls. During her time in Salisbury, Gore helped the men's and women's swimming teams to top four finishes at the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Championships. This past winter, SU's Josh Brown was recognized by the CAC as its Men's Swimmer of the Year. Â
"I'm excited to start everything with these girls," said Gore. "I can't wait to get off to a strong start in the pool. I hope that I can be a role model to them, and help them in and out of the pool to be the best they can be. I'm extremely grateful to Franciscan for this opportunity."
During Gore's time at NCAA Division IIÂ Clarion University, she qualified for the PSAC Championships each of her four years. In addition, she earned scholar-athlete honors in all four years of competing collegiately. Gore was the Women's Swimming and Diving team captain during her senior season.Â
In addition to her coaching experience and playing days, she has also assisted with a variety of Swimming & Diving camps and clinics as an instructor during her time at both Clarion and Salisbury.
Gore earned her master's degree in Business Administration from Salisbury in 2020 after graduating from Clarion with a bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2018.
Updated 9/25/24
