Courtesy: Maine Maritime Academy
CASTINE, Maine – Malena Gatti has been named Maine Maritime Academy’s Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach, Director of Athletics Steve Peed announced on Thursday. Gatti will lead the Mariners in their first NCAA Division III season this winter. She will begin her tenure on Monday, July 9.
“I’m very excited to be joining the Maine Maritime community and particularly to be signing on as the first-ever head coach for Mariners Swimming,” said Gatti. “It will be an honor to work with our student-athletes and my fellow athletics staff, and I hope to build a solid and successful program that the Academy can be proud of!”
Most recently, Gatti spent three seasons as the Assistant Swimming Coach at Colby College where she also served as the team’s Strength and Conditioning Coach in 2016-2017.
“Malena is a strong leader with a clear vision for Maine Maritime swimming that aligns perfectly with my vision for our newest program,” said Peed. “She is highly intelligent, incredibly thoughtful, and well-versed in her sport. Coach Gatti inspired the committee and we are confident that she will inspire our pioneering swimmers in a similar fashion. I truly believe we have caught a rising star in the profession.”
Gatti previously served as the Swim Coach at Ransom Everglades School in Coconut Grove, Florida and the Assistant Swim Coach at Amherst Regional High School.
“Coach Gatti strikes me as a powerhouse,” said Associate Athletic Director, Senior Woman Administrator and member of the search committee, Tricia Carver. “Throughout the interview process, I grew to believe in her; in her knowledge, in her character, in her growing vision for what might become her program.”
“When athletes and teams believe in their coaches and coaches believe in their team, anything is possible,” added Carver. “I believe Malena Gatti is capable of and will do the work of growing a special program, an ‘anything is possible’ program, for our student-athletes.”
A 2014 graduate of Amherst College, Gatti earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Architectural Studies and swam for two seasons. Gatti is currently working towards her MBA at Thomas College.
Gatti founded, developed, and coordinated the first annual ConsentFEST while working as a member of Peer Advocates, a subdivision of Student Health Services at Amherst. The group focuses on peer education surrounding issues of sexual respect in the college community. The ConsentFest was attended by more than 500 people.
Congratulations! Wishing you success.