This bio is now a part of a historical archive, the individual was on the coaching staff from 2013 to 2018 and is no longer employed by Wilkes University.
Mark Barnes begins his fourth season at the helm of the Wilkes men's and women's swimming programs for the 2017-18 season.
Barnes came to Wilkes after a successful coaching career in the high school ranks at both Bloomsburg and Danville Area. In his four years at Danville, Barnes’ girl’s teams earned four straight PIAA District IV team championships and were Northeastern Pennsylvania Swimming League champions from 2005 to 2009. While at Danville he coached his first swimmer to a PIAA individual state championship in the 50 free and 100 free.
In his three years at Bloomsburg from 2009-2012, Barnes boy’s teams captured three straight PIAA District IV team championships, including several individual swimmers who notched state championships in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke, setting new state records in the process.
The Press Enterprise selected Barnes as Male Swimmer Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2009, and Female Swimmer Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2006. He was also tabbed Heartland Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (boys and girls) in 2008-2009 when his girls’ team captured the conference title at Danville.
At Wilkes, Barnes’ programs reached a new milestone in the 2015-2016 season by having his first female swimmer named the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III South Rookie of the Week. During the same season the women broke 50 team records.
Both the men’s and women’s teams have excelled in the classroom under Coach Barnes, with the men named Scholar All-American honor roll for the 2015 fall and 2016 spring semester by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). The women were named to the Scholar All-American honor roll for the spring of 2016.
Barnes earned his bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education with a concentration in Aquatic Management and Coaching from Lock Haven University in 2005.
Barnes resides in Bloomsburg with his wife Renee and sons Bradyn (7), Jaxton (5) and Maclin (1)
