Gettysburg College Athletics

A former record-breaking swimmer at Messiah College, Cassie Cotton begins her third season as an assistant coach with the Bullets swimming programs.

In her first season at Gettysburg, Cotton helped guide the women’s team to its first Centennial Conference championship in seven seasons. The squad set 11 program records and four swimmers qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships. Those same four women were named All-Americans when the D3 Championships were cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the men’s side, the Bullets finished runner-up at the conference meet and established a pair of school marks. In Cotton’s second year with the Bullets, she helped the men’s team post three national qualifying times and mentored four All-Americans.

Cotton ended her collegiate career as one of the most decorated swimmers in Messiah’s history, compiling 27 Middle Atlantic Conference medals and setting program records in the 50 fly (26.22), 100 fly (56.06), and all five relay events. She posted national qualifying times in the 100 fly and 100 free during her junior campaign and became Messiah's first All-American with a 15th-place finish in the 100 fly. Cotton capped her career by winning the 50 free and 100 free at the MAC Championship.

The native of Marlton, N.J., was named the MAC Rookie of the Year in 2015-16 and was the MAC Senior Scholar-Athlete in women's swimming. 

Cotton graduated from Messiah with a degree in health and physical education in 2019. She is currently working at the Franklin Township Elementary School in the Gettysburg Area School District. Her previous coaching experience includes stops at the Ramblewood Swim Club, West Shore YMCA, and Northern York Aquatic Club.