The Barton Community College Board of Trustees recently approved the hiring of Matthew Gilbert as the second Head Coach in Barton Swimming history.
"Matthew Gilbert, was the perfect fit for our program" said Barton Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs. "Gilbert knows the opportunities that present themselves and is excited to take our programs to that next level."
Prior to joining Barton, Gilbert managed the Pine Creek high school and Rocky Mountain Rapids swim teams in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 2019-20 season was a special one for Gilbert as his teams produced many honors in being crowned the Western Athletic Conference Champions, the Colorado Springs Boy's Metro League Champions, the Colorado Springs Boy's Metro League Swimmer of the Year, the Colorado Springs Boy's Metro League Diver of the Year, and the Colorado Springs Boy's Metro League Coach of the Year.
Before his coaching career, Gilbert spent 16 years as a competitive swimmer, including a member of two NAIA national championship teams at Fresno Pacific University.
"I am very blessed and excited to begin this next journey with the Cougars," said Gilbert. "I am ready for the challenges. Swimming has always been a huge part of my life and I am committed to my athletes succeeding in the water."
Gilbert replaces the Cougars first and lone head coach as Jonathan Reeder moved into the NCAA Division II coaching ranks becoming an assistant at powerhouse Lindenwood University.