 Peter Casares |
Casares comes to Wabash after spending the past two seasons at Kenyon College, including a season as the interim head swim coach. He helped guide the Kenyon men's swimming and diving team to its 23rd consecutive NCAA Division III National Championship and the women's team to its 18th national title. Casares was named the interim head coach after serving as an assistant under Kenyon coach Jim Steen, who was on sabbatical last season. Casares also served as the aquatics director, maintaining and operating the Ernst Center Natatorium on the Kenyon campus.
Casares replaces Gail Pebworth, who announced her retirement in March after serving as the head coach of the Little Giants swimming program for 18 years.
"I am both honored and excited to become part of the Wabash community," said Casares. "Finding a school that is committed both to academics and athletics is never an easy task. Wabash has proved that the two can be combined and that when done correctly, great levels of success can be achieved. That is exactly the type of environment every successful coach dreams of entering."
"Coach Pebworth has produced one of the most successful programs in Division III history. I look forward to working with her, the team, and the entire Wabash community. I look forward to all the challenges that lie ahead and also continuing the amazing tradition of success Wabash swimming and diving has achieved."
Casares graduated from Gettysburg College in 1998. He was a five-time All-American at Gettysburg and still holds eight swimming records at the college. He was named captain of the team as a junior and senior. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in 1998, he joined the Miami (Ohio) University swimming team as an assistant coach. Casares earned a Masters of Science in sports studies in 2000 before taking the position of assistant coach at Kenyon.
Casares started his coaching career in 1991, working as coach and instructor with the Orchard Hill Club for six years. He took a team that started with 25 swimmers and transformed it into a program of over 90 members. Several of his Orchard Hill swimmers have gone on to college swimming programs. He was named the club director in 1998 and continued as head coach while swimming competitively at Gettysburg, managing the operations of the club.
"I am looking forward to working with Peter," said Mummert. "He brings an outstanding coaching resume to Wabash. He will undoubtedly be able to take the Wabash swimming program, which is already nationally renowned, to an even higher level."
Casares and his wife, Allyson, currently reside in Mount Vernon, Ohio. He begins his duties at Wabash on July 1.