Karis Francis - 2026-27 Women's Swimming & Diving Roster
Karis Francis
- Class:
- Junior
- Height:
- 5-9
- Hometown:
- Rhinelander, Wis.
- Position:
- Fly, Breast
2025-26 (Fr.)
100 Butterfly - 56.47
200 Breaststroke - 2:17.79
100 Breaststroke - 1:03.40
200 IM - 2:05.39
Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
The faith-based environment at Liberty is what solidified my decision to attend the school and swim for their program. I knew I wanted a unique college experience where I could grow in my faith and Liberty University fit that dream of mine.
Is there something about your life and upbringing you would consider unique?
I have five siblings, and we all swam competitively. Because we lived too far from most club teams, we trained alone for most of our swimming careers, which taught me lots of self motivation.
Is there anything special you do premeet or postmeet and why?
Before my races, I like to stay off my phone and just laugh with my teammates. It gets me energized and reduces the nerves.
Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My siblings have always been an inspiration to me. Each of them has set an incredible example and raised the bar in their own way. They consistently demonstrate a deep love for the Lord and for our family, and I know I will always strive to follow in their footsteps.
What is your most memorable athletic moment?
My most memorable athletic moment was becoming a two-time state champion in 2023 and winning the state meet with my teammates.
If you picked your jersey/uniform number, why is that number important to you?
4 because I am the fourth in line out of six in my family.
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports?
My mom swam at Kenyon College. My sisters, Kiah Francis and Malia Francis, swam at Liberty. My brother, Nolan Francis, swam at Grand Canyon.
Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
Salmon, rice and Brussels sprouts combo is my go-to-meal.
What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
I check my clock app first, to turn my alarm off.
What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
I spend a lot of time playing acoustic and electric guitar. I love to waterski and I love painting oil portraits.
Do you have any current pets?
I have two big dogs. They are a mix of St. Bernard and a poodle and their names are Winslow and Hobbes.
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Lily King, because me and my siblings were once on a swim team with her in 2014.
What is your favorite possession and why?
My stuffed animal. It’s a webkinz I’ve had since I was 4.
Do you possess any special or unique talents, interests, or hobbies?
I spend a lot of my time playing my acoustic and electric guitar, as well as singing. I also have done oil painting commissions since I was 12 years old. I mostly enjoy painting realistic portraits, but I've done landscapes as well.
What is your Go-To karaoke song?
Any Sabrina Carpenter or Taylor Swift song.
What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Bora Bora or the Maldives. I just love anything tropical and I love the ocean.
- Focused on breaststroke and IM as a sophomore
- Competed as an exhibition swimmer at American Conference Championship
- Swam lifetime bests in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.40) and 200 breaststroke (2:17.79) at conference meet, while also clocking season-best 200 IM (2:05.90)
- Her 2:17.79 in 200 breaststroke prelims at American Championship was the 15th fastest in the field, while her 1:03.40 in 100 breaststroke was 16th best
- Earned A Finals appearances in both the 100 breaststroke (7th place) and 200 breaststroke (5th place) at TYR ’85 Invite
- Focused on breaststroke and butterfly as a freshman
- Qualified for B Finals in 100 fly, 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke at ASUN Championships
- Claimed 10th place overall in the 100 breaststroke with a season-best 1:03.98 in the ASUN B Final
- Finished 10th in the 200 breaststroke at the ASUN meet, swimming a season-best 2:19.17 in the B Final
- Her season-best 100 fly time (56.47) was good for 13th at the ASUN Championships
- Swam a lifetime-best 50 freestyle (24.18) at the TYR ’85 Invite
- Home schooled, competed for Rhinelander High School
- Helped Rhinelander win its first WIAA DII State Championship as a freshman, before RHS finished second at state the following year and won the state title again in 2024
- Won WIAA DII State Championship in 100 breaststroke and 100 butterfly as a senior, also swimming on Rhinelander’s state champion 200 medley relay and 400 free relay
- Posted three individual top team finishes at the 2022 Wisconsin Senior State Championships
- Competed at Winter Junior Nationals in Austin, Texas as s sophomore before competing at YMCA Nationals in four events the following year
- Swam for Wausau TIDE Swin Club, Newburgh Sea Creatures, Woodson YMCA Northern Swimmers and Mid-Wisconsin Wave Makers
- Top times entering Liberty: 100 fly SCY – 56.05; 100 breast SCY – 1:03.99; 200 breast SCY – 2:19.47
- Daughter of Brad and Amy Francis
- Mother, Amy Francis, swam collegiately at Kenyon College
- Sister, Malia Francis, swam at Liberty from 2023-26
- Sister, Kiah Francis, swam at Liberty from 2017-21
- Brother, Nolan Francis, swam at Grand Canyon
- Majoring in business entrepreneurship, would like to build a career in real estate by using her background in business, marketing, and customer service.
- Birthday is March 25
100 Butterfly - 56.47
200 Breaststroke - 2:17.79
100 Breaststroke - 1:03.40
200 IM - 2:05.39
Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
The faith-based environment at Liberty is what solidified my decision to attend the school and swim for their program. I knew I wanted a unique college experience where I could grow in my faith and Liberty University fit that dream of mine.
Is there something about your life and upbringing you would consider unique?
I have five siblings, and we all swam competitively. Because we lived too far from most club teams, we trained alone for most of our swimming careers, which taught me lots of self motivation.
Is there anything special you do premeet or postmeet and why?
Before my races, I like to stay off my phone and just laugh with my teammates. It gets me energized and reduces the nerves.
Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My siblings have always been an inspiration to me. Each of them has set an incredible example and raised the bar in their own way. They consistently demonstrate a deep love for the Lord and for our family, and I know I will always strive to follow in their footsteps.
What is your most memorable athletic moment?
My most memorable athletic moment was becoming a two-time state champion in 2023 and winning the state meet with my teammates.
If you picked your jersey/uniform number, why is that number important to you?
4 because I am the fourth in line out of six in my family.
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports?
My mom swam at Kenyon College. My sisters, Kiah Francis and Malia Francis, swam at Liberty. My brother, Nolan Francis, swam at Grand Canyon.
Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
Salmon, rice and Brussels sprouts combo is my go-to-meal.
What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
I check my clock app first, to turn my alarm off.
What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
I spend a lot of time playing acoustic and electric guitar. I love to waterski and I love painting oil portraits.
Do you have any current pets?
I have two big dogs. They are a mix of St. Bernard and a poodle and their names are Winslow and Hobbes.
Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Lily King, because me and my siblings were once on a swim team with her in 2014.
What is your favorite possession and why?
My stuffed animal. It’s a webkinz I’ve had since I was 4.
Do you possess any special or unique talents, interests, or hobbies?
I spend a lot of my time playing my acoustic and electric guitar, as well as singing. I also have done oil painting commissions since I was 12 years old. I mostly enjoy painting realistic portraits, but I've done landscapes as well.
What is your Go-To karaoke song?
Any Sabrina Carpenter or Taylor Swift song.
What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Bora Bora or the Maldives. I just love anything tropical and I love the ocean.
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