Rachel Franchock was named the head coach for the Trine University synchronized and figure skating teams in January of 2018. Starting from scratch on her first day, she made the programs competitive on a national level in an impressively short period of time.
During the first season of skating at Trine, the program featured 10 student-athletes on one synchro team. Through Franchock’s mentorship the program now boasts more than 55 student-athletes competing on three regionally and nationally ranked teams, one each in Open Collegiate, Collegiate and Senior divisions.
Franchock has led the synchro teams to three national podium finishes and ten sectional podium finishes, including a senior division conference championship in 2025. The Open Collegiate team is two-time Tri-State Champions and won the 2024 Dr. Porter Classic.
The Thunder are just as formidable in figure skating. They completed the 2023 Midwest Conference season as undefeated champions and have finished as runners-up in four other seasons. The program boasts five individual national champions and 11 individual national podium finishes. Twice the team has finished on the podium at the national championships.
Franchock has been recognized by US Figure Skating as a leader in collegiate skating and was nominated for the US Figure Skating Coach I.C.E. Award following the 2024-25 season. She is regularly asked to participate in the organization’s panels that aim to help educate youth skaters about opportunities beyond high school.
Before coming to Trine Franchock coached the Washington Ice Emeralds Synchronized Skating Team to their first ever podium finishes in 2016. Before that, she taught skating classes at Michigan Technological University as well as coaching and skating for the university's intercollegiate figure skating team.
Franchock is originally from Michigan and grew up skating in the Detroit area. She has competed nationally and internationally as a member of Team USA, culminating with a trip to the World Synchronized Skating Championship in 2010.
She now resides in Angola with her husband Tyler and daughter Mira, Trine Skating’s biggest fan.
