Colorado State University Pueblo

Claire Kallio returns to Colorado State University Pueblo as an assistant women's lacrosse coach, bringing over a decade of coaching experience in player development, defensive strategy, and goalkeeper training.

Rejoining the ThunderWolves program in August 2024, Kallio now works under head coach Taylor Ward (Christensen), a former standout player at CSUP whom Kallio coached during Ward’s playing career. 

"I’m incredibly grateful to Taylor for allowing me to join her coaching staff," Kallio shared. "It's an honor to work alongside her and support the team's growth and success." She added that she's also excited to give back to the Pueblo community. 

Kallio previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) under head coach Melissa Rausch, where she played a pivotal role in the program's growth and success for five seasons. During her tenure, the Mountain Lions earned four consecutive trips to the RMAC Women's Lacrosse Tournament, four players earned First or Second Team All-RMAC recognition. Under Kallio's guidance, goalkeeper Madison McGriff flourished, earning back-to-back RMAC Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2022 and 2023. McGriff was a USA Lacrosse Magazine All-America Honorable Mention in 2023 after setting the UCCS single-season records for saves (200) and saves per game (11.8). 

During her initial time at CSUP, Kallio contributed to building the young program. Her previous coaching helped six ThunderWolves earn All-RMAC honors, including one First Team selection. She also coached standout goalkeeper Ane Marie Horton, who earned All-RMAC Honorable Mention, led the conference with 12.83 saves per game, and ranked 12th nationally in save percentage in her redshirt-Junior season. 

Kallio spent three seasons as the head coach at Notre Dame College in Ohio, where she led the Falcons 16-19 with three players earning All-Mountain East Conference honors, including two First Team selections.  

She began her coaching career in an assistant role at Medina High School in Medina, Ohio, her alma mater. During her time as an assistant coach at Medina, Kallio helped the Bees win the 2012 Ohio State Title and made the Final Four in 2013.  

Collegiately, Kallio played at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. Kallio started all four years for the Griffins, setting school records for wins and saves. She earned Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference (MWLC) First Team honors in 2011 and served as a co-captain. Her leadership earned her the 2008 Most Valuable Defender and 2011 Most Valuable Teammate awards.