Bates Bobcast Episode 206: 'Why I Coach' with Peter Casares and Vanessa Williamson '05

Peter Casares joined Bates as the head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach and aquatics director in 2007, and in 2020 was named NESCAC Women's Swimming Coach of the Year for the second time in his career. He then led the Bates men's swimming and diving team to a program-best fourth place at the NESCAC Men's Championships a week later. A women's-team record 11 athletes, as well as first-year Nathan Berry on the men's team, qualified to compete in the 2020 NCAA Division III Championships before they were canceled due to the pandemic. Coach Casares is well respected in the swimming world, both as an accomplished Division III All-American swimmer and as a passionate coach and tireless recruiter. Peter’s expertise and love for the sport have brought enthusiasm and national visibility to the Bates program. Vanessa Williamson '05 was promoted to associate head swimming coach at Bates in 2016 after serving as an assistant coach the previous four years. An eight-time All-America performer in the butterfly and individual medleys, Williamson joined head coach Peter Casares's coaching staff in 2012 after coaching at the high school and club level in California for five years. Williamson is an Edward Little high school graduate and her late father Dick Williamson was a beloved Professor of French at Bates and a 2006 inductee into the Bates Scholar-Athlete society. Vanessa and coach Casares join the Bobcast today as we continue our “Why I Coach” series!