PORTLAND, Ore.—Lewis & Clark Director of Physical Education & Athletics Mark Pietrok announced the appointment of
Caitlin DeNise as the Interim Head Men's and Women's Swimming Coach of Tuesday afternoon.
DeNise was elevated to the head coaching position after serving as an assistant with the program for the previous two seasons.
"I'm so happy we were able to add Caitlin to our department," Pietrok said. "She already has built a tremendous rapport with our student-athletes and they are extremely excited to get to work with her in a new capacity. I believe her knowledge of our student-athletes, the program and the conference will allow her to hit the ground running despite starting so late in the summer. I look forward to watching Caitlin grow our program!"
During her time as an assistant coach with the program, DeNise has worked with 10 student-athletes that have been named to the Northwest Conference All-Conference Team. The Pioneers have racked up 46 top-10 marks and set three programs (all during the 2022-23 season).
"I'm excited, grateful and honored for the opportunity to move into the new role of Interim Head Coach of Lewis & Clark swimming," DeNise said. "I feel confident in where the program is heading and I look forward to supporting the hard work of our student-athletes."
Prior to her time at Lewis & Clark, DeNise worked as an assistant coach at her alma mater Cal State East Bay University (NCAA DII) and the University of the Pacific (NCAA DI).
At Cal State East Bay, she oversaw and coached the individual medley and distance groups and managed the recruitment of student-athletes from Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, North and South Dakota, Alaska and Wyoming. During her three seasons with the Pioneers (2018-21), the program won the 2018-19 and 2019-20 Pacific Collegiate Swim Conference Titles and she coached three student-athletes who competed at the NCAA DII National Championship Meet. She also trained and coached Claire Beaty who was a 2021 Olympic Trial Qualifier in the 200 Breaststroke.
She spent one season working with the Pacific Tigers (2015-16). DeNise collaborated with the head coach to develop the sprint and individual medley groups practices. She spent the season working with NCAA Qualifier Kenna Ramey (100 Butterfly).
Outside of her work at the collegiate level, DeNise also worked for two years at the club level with the Pleasanton Seahawks. She worked as the Senior Assistant to the head coach and was in charge of the Senior Elite Group from August 2016 to January 2017. During her two years with the Seahawks, DeNise mentored and trained Junior National and National Level qualifiers and coached 2016 Olympics Trial Finals Qualifier Maxime Rooney (200 Freestyle).
