By Anya Pelshaw on SwimSwam
The University of West Florida has announced Chris Sykes as the next head coach of its women’s swim and dive program. Sykes takes over after Phil Kraus announced his retirement back in June after eight seasons with the program.
“I am thrilled to welcome Chris Sykes as our new women’s swim and dive head coach,” said Associate Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dave Scott. “We look forward to seeing where he takes this program as we go into the first year as a Division I institution. We are excited about the upcoming season.”
“I look forward to working alongside Dive Coach Barb and to building strong relationships with our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and the entire Argo community,” said Sykes. “This is an exciting new chapter, and I am honored to be part of it. I can’t wait to get to work, continue the tradition of excellence, and help our student-athletes reach their goals both in and out of the pool. Go Argos!”
Sykes arrives after most recently spending the last 16 seasons at Division III Illinois College where he served as an assistant for one season from the 2012-2013 season before being promoted to head coach. This past season, the Illinois College men swam to four school records and went undefeated in dual meets, extending their streak to winning the last 19 dual meets. The women’s program was 6th out of nine teams at the 2026 Midwest Conference Championships.
Prior to his time at Illinois College, Sykes was an assistant coach at Decatur Swim Club, a volunteer coach at Area 10 Special Olympics, and an assistant coach of the Dundee Dolphins.
Sykes spent his collegiate career at Division III Millikin University and graduated in 2011. He holds the 8th fastest time in school history in the 50 free.
West Florida will join the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) this season, and they will not be eligible for NCAA postseason tournaments during the next three seasons as they transition from Division II to Division I.
Although they cannot compete at the NCAA Championship meet, they are still eligible to compete for the ASUN conference title. Full NCAA postseason eligibility will begin once the transition process is complete in 2029. Although they cannot compete at the NCAA Championship meet, they are still eligible to compete for the ASUN conference title. Full NCAA postseason eligibility will begin once the transition process is complete in 2029.
Agata Naskret led the team with 56 individual points including NCAA Division II records in the 100 back (50.91) and 200 back (1:52.90). Both of those times would have made the 2026 NCAA cutline at the Division I level, although Naskret just finished her senior season. The team is also home to the Division II record in the 400 medley relay as Naskret, Alena Rozova, Livia Rodriguez, and Sofia Kendzio combined for a 3:35.21.
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