Sara Bates enters her 10th season as an assistant Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Coach at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2026-27.
In the 2026-27 season, Bates helped coach the men's team to a 5-1 overall record and a perfect 4-0 record in the WIAC. The women's team gathered a 4-2 overall record and posted a 3-1 record in the WIAC. Both Blugold programs finished in second place at the WIAC Championships. Derek Stadheim and Molly Hosack each earned Swimmer of the Meet honors and Anwen Smith was awarded Newcomer of Year on the womens's side. The men's program picked up nine first-place finishes, eight second-place finishes, and five third-place finishes at the meet. The women's program grabbed 10 first-place finishes, nine second-place finishes, and six third-place finishes.
Bates is a proud UW–Eau Claire alumna and an accomplished diving coach with more than 25 years of experience developing athletes at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels. A former Blugold diver from 1996–2001, she served as team captain and qualified for NCAA Nationals three times during her collegiate career.
Since returning to Eau Claire as a coach, Sara has built a reputation for developing confident, technically sound, and mentally tough divers—many of whom began their careers without extensive diving backgrounds. Her athletes consistently compete at the highest levels while contributing to a strong, supportive, and team-first culture.
In 2016, Sara was named Wisconsin State Coach of the Year after guiding Eau Claire high school divers to top finishes at the state meet. In 2023, she received UW–Eau Claire’s Joe Merten Coaching Award in recognition of the daily impact she makes on student-athletes, including fostering strong team camaraderie, maintaining a positive and belief-driven environment, and inspiring divers to push beyond their perceived limits.
Competitive Highlights at UW–Eau Claire
- Contributed to 11 WIAC Conference Championships
- Coached divers to 53 podium finishes at WIAC Championship meets
- Developed 25 NCAA Regional (Zone) qualifiers
- Guided 12 NCAA National Championship qualifiers
- Helped set five UWEC pool records, including a national runner-up who broke a 20-year school record at the NCAA Championships
- Coached a USA Diving Winter Nationals qualifier who competed alongside Olympians
Sara’s coaching philosophy centers on strong fundamentals, individualized instruction, and mental training. She believes every diver is different and is known for meeting athletes where they are—building confidence, overcoming fear, and helping each diver reach their full potential both on and off the pool deck.
Why UWEC Diving?
Under Coach Sara Bates, every diver matters—regardless of experience level. UWEC Diving has a proven track record of developing athletes far beyond where they start, with divers of all backgrounds progressing to conference success, NCAA postseason competition, national-level meets, and record-breaking performances. If you’re willing to work, learn, and compete, you’ll be coached, supported, and developed in a program where development—not background—drives results.
