
2016 Coach of the Year
Girls’ Swimming
Buchholz High School
Awards
4A state championship
FHSAA record
Biography
In just her second year as the Buchholz High’s head coach, Bates, a former swimmer at the University of Florida, led the school to the Florida 4A state championship. It was the school’s sixth overall title and first since 2009. Buchholz swept the team relays and had two individual state champions. They also set a new FHSAA record in the 200 freestyle relay. Expect Bates and Buchholz to be one of the best in the state over the next several years in Florida, with many of this year’s swimmers being underclassmen.