University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Women's Swimming & Diving
Kyle Ponsler
- Title:
- Assistant Swimming & Diving Coach
- Email:
- kyle.ponsler@unco.edu
Head swimming & diving coach, Steve Smiley has announced the addition of Kyle Ponsler to the Northern Colorado swimming & diving staff in July of 2026. Ponsler will serve as an assistant coach for the Bears.
Ponsler came to UNC straight out of the pool at North Carolina State where he spent two years as a captain.
During his career at NC State he accumulated a long list of accomplishments:
Ponsler came to UNC straight out of the pool at North Carolina State where he spent two years as a captain.
During his career at NC State he accumulated a long list of accomplishments:
- 2025 NCAA Championships – Posted the 4th fastest time in the NCAA & set the all-time NC State school record in the 400 IM (3:37.42), also personal best in the 200 Backstroke, 3-time ACC Finalist (500 free, 400 IM, Mile), ACC All-Academic Team
- 2024 400 IM ACC Champion – First Wolfpack man since 2018 to win the 400 IM (3:41.18), 3-time ACC Finalist (500 Free, 400IM, Mile), Broke NC State 400 IM record at NCAA Championship posting 3:39.28 in Finals (6th fastest NCAA time of the year)
- 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Finalist – 6th in the 400m IM (4:16.53); PBs in 200m Back (1:59.74) and 200m IM (2:02.55).
- 2023 World University Games – Represented Team USA in the 400 IM and 200 IM in Chengdu, China, 3-time ACC Finalist (200 IM, 400 IM, 200 Back), qualified/selected for NCAA Championships (400 IM), ACC All-Academic Team
- 2023 NC State "Bell Tower" award winner (Freshman that made the biggest impact) followed by 2024 "Most Improved", and voted Team Caption for 2025 & 2026
- 2022 - 2x USA National JR Team, 2x NCSA National Champion (200 IM & 400 IM)/Broke Meet Record (400 IM)
- 2022 IHSAA 500 Freestyle Champion, 3x Indiana State Championship Finalist (2022), 14x IHSAA State Finalist, Academic All-American, 2022 Gene Lee Outstanding Athlete Award Winner (Indiana Swimming).
- 2021 Wave 1 Olympic Trials Runner up, 2021 USA World Cup Team/International JR team
- 2019 Toyota US Open Champion (400 IM), Silver Medalist Winter Junior National Championships (400 IM), 2019 Central Zone & National Select Camp participant (USA Swimming)
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Tuesday, February 10
Saturday, February 07
Tuesday, January 27
