Peter Casares joined Bates College in 2007 as the Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach / Director of Aquatics.
Over the past two seasons, Casares has guided both the men’s and women’s teams to NCAA Top 15 finishes, continuing to elevate the program’s national standing. During this period, Bates athletes achieved twelve individual All-American honors and eight top-16 relay performances at the NCAA Championships.
At the 2025 NCAA Championships, the men’s program celebrated a historic milestone when Max Cory captured Bates’ first-ever NCAA title, winning the 100-yard freestyle in record-breaking fashion with a time of 42.88. The men’s team went on to secure its highest national finish in program history, placing 13th overall.
On the women’s side, the team recorded its best performance at the NESCAC Championships in 2015, finishing second overall. That same year, all 24 athletes on the roster scored at the meet, another first in team history. At the NCAA Championships in Texas, the women’s team placed 11th nationally with 91 points. In 2020, Casares was recognized as the NESCAC Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year for the second time in his career.
Coach Casares is highly regarded in the swimming community, both as a former Division III All-American swimmer and as a dedicated coach and recruiter. His leadership, expertise, and passion for the sport have brought both enthusiasm and national recognition to the Bates program. In 2014, Casares was inducted into the Hall of Honor at his alma mater, Gettysburg College.
Since his arrival in Lewiston, Casares has led the program to numerous accomplishments, including:
113 Scholar All-Americans (NCAA invite plus 3.5 GPA)
35 Women Swimming & Diving All-Americans
17 Men Swimming & Diving All-Americans
