2023-24 Women's Swimming & Diving Roster
Francis, Malia
Malia Francis
- Class:
- Redshirt Freshman
- Height:
- 5-9
- Hometown:
- Rhinelander, Wis.
- Position:
- Back, Fly, IM
- Prev School:
- Rhinelander HS
Bio
2024-25 (R-So.)
200 Freestyle – 1:51.42
100 Backstroke - 54.72
200 Backstroke - 1:54.87
200 IM – 2:02.49
ASUN Individual Medalist Honors (2)
2024 200 Backstroke (2nd)
2025 200 Backstroke (1st)
Student-Athlete Q&A
What is your most memorable athletic moment?
My most memorable athletic moment was qualifying for and competing at the Olympic Trials in 2021 in Omaha Nebraska!
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports?
My mom swam at Kenyon College. My sister, Kiah Francis, swam at Liberty. My brother, Nolan Francis, swam at Grand Canyon. My sister, Karis Francis, currently swims at Liberty.
Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
Breakfast is my favorite meal!
What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
The weather app!
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?
Missy Franklin
- Focused on backstroke as a redshirt freshman
- Enters redshirt junior season third in program history in 200 backstroke (1:54.87), ninth in 100 backstroke (54.72) and 10th in 200 IM (2:02.49)
- Qualified for the ASUN A Finals in 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke, while making the 200 IM B Final
- Earned first career ASUN individual title, tying for the championship in the 200 backstroke in lifetime-best, NCAA B Cut time of 1:54.87, pushing Liberty’s conference championship streak to eight years in the 200 back
- For the second year in a row, finished fourth in the ASUN 100 backstroke A Final, swimming 55.02 at night after qualifying in a collegiate-best 54.72
- Won the 200 IM B Final at ASUN Championships in a lifetime-best 2:02.49
- Went a perfect 8-for-8 in 200 backstroke this season, winning the event in every meet in which she participated in 200 back
- Competed in 200 backstroke at Toyota National Championships
- Focused on backstroke as a redshirt freshman
- Earned A Finals appearances in 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke at ASUN Championships, while also making 200 free B Final
- Claimed first career conference podium finish, swimming season-best, NCAA B cut time of 1:56.50 to place second in the ASUN 200 backstroke to teammate Abbie Shaw
- Finished fourth in 100 backstroke in season-best 54.80, capping a 1-2-3-4 Liberty finish at conference meet in the event
- Swam season-best 1:51.42 in 200 free B Final at ASUN meet, good for 12th place overall
- Won 200 backstroke at regular-season meets at James Madison and Gardner-Webb
- Qualified for U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the 200 backstroke in 2:13.19, winning the Virginia Commonwealth Games Title
- Compete in 200 backstroke at U.S. Olympic Team Trials
- Redshirted the season, did not compete
- Attended Francis Homeschool Academy
- Six-time WIAA Division II individual state champion
- Scholastic All-American all four years of high school
- Winter Junior National Medalist as a sophomore
- Set WIAA Division II state record in 100 backstroke during senior year
- U.S. Olympic Team Trials qualifier, competed at 2021 Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb.
- Competed for Wausau TIDE Swim Club, Newburgh Sea Creatures, Woodson YMCA Northern Swimmers and mid-Wisconsin Wave Makers
- Lifetime bests entering Liberty: 100 Back SCY – 54.01; 200 Back SCY – 1:56.07; 100 Fly SCY – 55.94; 200 IM SCY – 2:02.79
- Daughter of Brad and Amy Francis
- Mother, Amy Francis, swam collegiately at Kenyon College
- Sister, Karis Francis, currently swims for Liberty
- Sister, Kiah Francis, swam at Liberty from 2017-21
- Brother, Nolan Francis, swam at Grand Canyon
- Majoring in business administration: project management
- Birthday is Aug. 19
200 Freestyle – 1:51.42
100 Backstroke - 54.72
200 Backstroke - 1:54.87
200 IM – 2:02.49
ASUN Individual Medalist Honors (2)
2024 200 Backstroke (2nd)
2025 200 Backstroke (1st)
Student-Athlete Q&A
What is your most memorable athletic moment?
My most memorable athletic moment was qualifying for and competing at the Olympic Trials in 2021 in Omaha Nebraska!
Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports?
My mom swam at Kenyon College. My sister, Kiah Francis, swam at Liberty. My brother, Nolan Francis, swam at Grand Canyon. My sister, Karis Francis, currently swims at Liberty.
Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
Breakfast is my favorite meal!
What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
The weather app!
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?
Missy Franklin
Alicia (Finnigan) Cardie: Finding Purpose Outside of the Pool
Wednesday, August 06
Headed to the American Conference! See you on July 1, 2025! 👀🏊♀️ #shorts
Friday, December 13
Little recap of our swim meet from against JMU🤩 #shorts
Monday, November 04
Morning lifts be like....🤣 #shorts
Friday, October 11
