By: Christopher J. Kilmer, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletics Communications

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State University Director of Athletics Kim Bownes announced Tuesday that head men's and women's swim coach Anne Barbeau has retired and Lisa Pratte has been hired to lead the Panthers' swim programs.
 
Barbeau led the women's program since the start of the 2018-19 season and oversaw the men's program when it was established in 2020-21. Under her leadership, the women's program enjoyed one of the most successful stretches in school history. Diver Casey Allaire '20 earned back-to-back LEC Diver of the Year honors in 2018-19 and 2019-20, while Madelin Svetin '22 became the first Plymouth State swimmer to win an individual LEC championship event in 2021-22. Most recently, Olivia Bailey '26 and rising senior Ollie Kramer (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) combined for five medals at the 2025-26 LEC Championships.
 
On the men's side, Barbeau coached three swimmers to LEC championship medals, including conference champions Alex Wasyliko in 2022-23 and Lyden Fogg '25 in 2023-24. Fogg finished his career with six championship medals, the most by any men's or women's swimmer in Plymouth State history.
 
"Anne has been an outstanding representative of Plymouth State University throughout her time leading our swimming programs," said Bownes. "She helped elevate the competitiveness of both teams while fostering a culture that emphasized hard work, sportsmanship and personal growth. We're incredibly grateful for everything she has done for our department and wish her all the best in retirement."
 
Pratte comes to Plymouth State with more than 20 years of high school coaching experience, as well as coaching experience at the club, summer league, YMCA and Masters levels. Pratte began her competitive career with the Lowell Boys Club before serving as captain of Chelmsford (Mass.) High School's inaugural girls' swim team during the 1978-79 season. She later competed at Keene State College, where she was team captain during her senior season in 1983-84 before graduating with bachelor's degrees in elementary education and general special education.
 
She started her coaching career as the head coach for the joint Manchester Memorial / Manchester West High School team during the 1987-88 season and remained in the role for nine years. She spent five seasons with a regional New England swimming team, coaching the Manchester training group which included multiple qualifiers for Junior National Championships. Most recently, Pratte spent 12 seasons as an assistant at Bedford High School from 2010-15 and again from 2019-26, helping the Bulldogs capture 14 NHIAA state championships between the boys' and girls' programs.
 
Along the way, Pratte continued her education, earning a master's degree in special education from Notre Dame College and additional special education certifications from Plymouth State and the University of New Hampshire. She has spent 26 years as a special education teacher, including 25 years at the high school level.
 
"I am incredibly honored and excited to take on the role of head swimming and diving coach at Plymouth State University," said Pratte. "We will continue to honor the values and culture that make this program special while pushing ourselves toward new levels of swimming and diving success in the Little East Conference and beyond. I look forward to working with our talented student-athletes and connecting with our alumni as we enter this next chapter of Panther swimming and diving!"
 
"Lisa brings a tremendous amount of experience, energy and passion for the sport to Plymouth State," said Bownes. "She has a proven track record of developing swimmers and building successful programs, and just as importantly, she understands the importance of creating a positive environment where student-athletes can thrive. We are excited to welcome her to our Panther family."
 
Plymouth State kicks off the 2026-27 season with an exhibition at the Keene Pentathlon on Oct. 10, before opening the regular season at the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) on Oct. 24.