WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes University Athletic Director Scott Musa announced Thursday that head men's and women's swimming and diving coach Christopher Paynter has departed his position to become the head coach at Catholic University.
 
Paynter took the reins of the Colonel men's and women's swimming and diving teams during the spring of 2022.  Under his guidance, Wilkes had its best dual meet record in men's program history, finishing 8-2 in the 2024-25 season, as well as its best finish in a conference championship, placing sixth at the Landmark championships.
 
During his time at Wilkes, he coached three Wilkes swimmers to program records in the 2024-25 season and had 70 swimmers achieve top 10 all-time marks in program history.
 
Wilkes will begin a national search for its next men's and women's swimming and diving head coach as it prepares for the 2025-26 season.