Eastern Michigan Athletics
Derek Perkins Names Casey Gavigan Assistant Swimming Coach
9/24/2021 9:30:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Gavigan swam for four years at EMU and will enter her first season as an assistant
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University Head Swimming Coach Derek Perkins has announced the hiring of Casey Gavigan to assistant swimming coach today, Sept. 24.
"We are extremely excited to add Gavigan to our staff," Perkins said. "She is one of our own and is very passionate about making our program the best it can be. Casey is a proven competitor and will be a tremendous addition to our squad."
The 2021-22 season will mark Gavigan's first season, as she begins her coaching career.
Gavigan spent four seasons swimming for Eastern, 2016-20, competing in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 1,000 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 50 butterfly, 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley, and the 400 individual medley. Gavigan garnered two All-Mid-American Conference selections (First Team, 2017-18, and Second Team, 2018-19,) was a 2017-18 MAC Champion in the 200 backstroke, and was named an Academic All-MAC honoree three times in her four years at Eastern Michigan.
"I'm beyond excited to further my career with the Eastern Michigan Swim & Dive program," Gavigan said. "Something I learned during my years of swimming at Eastern is the difference of wanting to contribute to a winning program, not just be a part of one. I love that I get the opportunity to contribute to my team again!"
During her senior season, the East Setauket, N.Y. native was a MAC Champion in 200 backstroke, an Academic All-MAC selection, Qualified for U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 backstroke with a mark of 1:02.11, Dec. 5, and earned seven top-five finishes, including three first place efforts.
In 2018-19, Gavigan topped her own program record in the 200 backstroke by 0.6 seconds, 1:55.33, at the MAC Championships, March 2. The then-junior was also a MAC Swimmer of the Week selection, Nov. 14.
In her sophomore campaign, Gavigan notched 25 top-three finishes, including 16 first-place finishes and broke a school record in the 200 backstroke at the MAC Championships, Feb. 24, winning the event with a time of 1:55.93. She was also a MAC Swimmer of the Week selection, Nov. 9.
Gavigan earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science at Eastern. Gavigan is also working toward a second degree in nursing.
Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Gavigan resides in Novi, Mich. with her boyfriend Kyle, who is also a former Eastern Michigan swimmer.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan swim and dive, continue to check EMUEagles.com and be sure to follow the team on Twitter, @EMUSwimDive, and Instagram, @emuswimanddive.
"We are extremely excited to add Gavigan to our staff," Perkins said. "She is one of our own and is very passionate about making our program the best it can be. Casey is a proven competitor and will be a tremendous addition to our squad."
The 2021-22 season will mark Gavigan's first season, as she begins her coaching career.
Gavigan spent four seasons swimming for Eastern, 2016-20, competing in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 1,000 freestyle, 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 50 butterfly, 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley, and the 400 individual medley. Gavigan garnered two All-Mid-American Conference selections (First Team, 2017-18, and Second Team, 2018-19,) was a 2017-18 MAC Champion in the 200 backstroke, and was named an Academic All-MAC honoree three times in her four years at Eastern Michigan.
"I'm beyond excited to further my career with the Eastern Michigan Swim & Dive program," Gavigan said. "Something I learned during my years of swimming at Eastern is the difference of wanting to contribute to a winning program, not just be a part of one. I love that I get the opportunity to contribute to my team again!"
During her senior season, the East Setauket, N.Y. native was a MAC Champion in 200 backstroke, an Academic All-MAC selection, Qualified for U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 backstroke with a mark of 1:02.11, Dec. 5, and earned seven top-five finishes, including three first place efforts.
In 2018-19, Gavigan topped her own program record in the 200 backstroke by 0.6 seconds, 1:55.33, at the MAC Championships, March 2. The then-junior was also a MAC Swimmer of the Week selection, Nov. 14.
In her sophomore campaign, Gavigan notched 25 top-three finishes, including 16 first-place finishes and broke a school record in the 200 backstroke at the MAC Championships, Feb. 24, winning the event with a time of 1:55.93. She was also a MAC Swimmer of the Week selection, Nov. 9.
Gavigan earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science at Eastern. Gavigan is also working toward a second degree in nursing.
Originally from Long Island, N.Y., Gavigan resides in Novi, Mich. with her boyfriend Kyle, who is also a former Eastern Michigan swimmer.
For updates on all things Eastern Michigan swim and dive, continue to check EMUEagles.com and be sure to follow the team on Twitter, @EMUSwimDive, and Instagram, @emuswimanddive.
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