Franciscan University Barons Athletics

In the Fall of 2023, Gajkta was named Head Men's Tennis Coach.

The Barons took another step forward in her second season as Head Coach. For the first time in program history, the Barons spent spring break in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where they picked up a pair of wins. The Barons won the PAC Quarterfinal at home 4-0 over Westminster before falling in the PAC Semifinal to Grove City Seven players earned All-PAC honors, including Aaron Heinlein who earned First Team honors in singles and doubles. 

In her first season at the helm, the Barons returned to the PAC Tournament, as they held a 5-3 mark in conference contests. Under the tutelage of Gajtka, Aaron Heinlein had a breakout freshman campaign that culminated in him earning PAC Newcomer of the Year honors. Six different players earned All-PAC honors in a successful opening season. 

"After a long and thorough search process, I could not be more pleased to have Coach Gajtka on board," said Interim Director of Athletics, Alexis Basil. "She brings a wealth of experience that I believe will help the Barons continue to improve on and off the court."

Gajtka has played tennis competitively and recreationally for the last 45+ years, as well as providing private lessons for the last 15 years. She is a retired teacher, as she most recently taught at St. Paul Elementary and West Virginia Northern Community College in Weirton, West Virginia. While at St. Paul Elementary, she established a tennis instructional program while earning a maximum grant of $2000 from the United States Tennis Association (USTA). She has also run several summer camps and summer leagues to help grow youth tennis in the local area while helping several players move on to playing tennis at the collegiate level. She also had a career in Human Resources and Information Technology at Weirton Steel Corporation.

Year by Year Results at Franciscan